Scottish Commission on Social Security: Unacceptable Actions Policy
SCoSS's policy on unacceptable actions
Contents
- Document Cover
- Introduction
- What actions do SCoSS consider to be unacceptable?
- Aggressive or abusive behaviour
- Unreasonable demands
- Unreasonable levels of contact
- Unreasonable refusal to co-operate
- Unreasonable use of the complaints process
- Examples of how we manage unacceptable behaviour
- Examples of how we deal with other categories of unreasonable behaviour
- Other actions we may take
- How we let people know we have made this decision
- The process for appealing a decision to restrict contact
- How we record and review a decision to restrict contact
- How to contact the Scottish Commission on Social Security
The process for appealing a decision to restrict contact
It is important that a decision can be reconsidered. A complainant can appeal a decision to restrict contact. If they do this, we will only consider arguments that relate to the restriction and not to either the complaint made to us or to our decision to close a complaint.
An appeal could include, for example, a complainant saying that: their actions were wrongly identified as unacceptable; the restrictions were disproportionate; or that they will adversely impact on the individual because of personal circumstances.
A senior member of staff who was not involved in the original decision will consider the appeal. They have discretion to quash or vary the restriction as they think best. They will make their decision based on the evidence available to them. They must advise the complainant in writing that either the restricted contact arrangements still apply or a different course of action has been agreed.
We may review the restriction periodically or on further request after a period of time has passed.
Each case is different. We will explain in the letter setting out the restriction what review process will be in place for that restriction and in what circumstances they could request this be reconsidered.
This can be supplemented if written communication is not the most appropriate form for the individual.