Independent investigations

Our investigation support

Our experienced consultants offer a comprehensive and confidential investigation service, ensuring all parties have confidence in a thorough and unbiased review.

We have experience completing investigations of:

Complex parental complaints
Staff grievances, including joint staff grievances
Staff disciplinary situations
Whistleblowing disclosures

We are recognised by the main education unions for our professionalism and impartiality in our investigations.

Our service

We will discuss the situation with you, provide a costed proposal, and provide a consultant with relevant experience. The consultant will complete the investigation in accordance with all relevant policies, reviewing evidence and interviewing relevant parties.

A detailed written report on their findings is provided which includes:

Details of the process followed
Policies referenced
Evidence examined
Interviews conducted
Findings
Recommendations

Our impact

We have provided this service to schools, multi academy trusts and local authorities. We observe total confidentiality and independence throughout the investigation.

You are guaranteed to receive:

An experienced consultant
A consultant knowledgeable of the area of investigation, such as safeguarding, SEND, financial compliance or human resources
Complete independence
A thorough and impartial investigation
A detailed report including considered findings
Advice on where improvements could be made to avoid a similar scenario happening again

Complaint investigations

We believe every investigation we take on is an opportunity to help the client improve.

While we may find that the allegations being investigated are not upheld, we always provide recommendations to our clients on how to avoid similar situations.

Make an enquiry

Case study

Investigation of a parental complaint

We were commissioned by a trust to conduct an investigation into a parental complaint, which alleged the unfair treatment of a child with special educational needs and dissatisfaction with the way in which the complaint had originally been handled.

Our investigation found:

The trust's complaints policy was illegal, reserving the right to decline the escalation of a complaint.
Governors had not had sufficient training on handling complaints.
Failings in the review of risk assessments.
The lack of an up-to-date adequate Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan.
Discrimination in the provision of the curriculum and enrichment.

As part of the investigation, we provided detailed recommendations on how the school could address these shortcomings and be more inclusive moving forward.

Joint grievance investigations

We have completed investigations into many joint grievances raised by staff against school or trust leaders, including cases involving industrial action.

Major education unions recognise the independence and thoroughness of our investigations and co-operate well with our investigators.

Boards should consider the early investigations of concerns raised by staff in order to prevent escalation of these matters. Many investigations lead to improvement of employee relations, school culture and staff wellbeing.

Make an enquiry

Case study

Investigation of a joint grievance

A joint grievance raised by staff at one school resulted in strike action for many months, following a breakdown in trust between the school’s staff and the leaders of the school and academy trust.

Our investigation recommended:

Stronger support for staff dealing with challenging pupil behaviour.
Clearer communication channels between staff and school leaders.
Better protocols for the recording and management of behavioural incidents and safeguarding concerns.

We were able to clarify the facts of the situation and advise how to rebuild working relationships between the school, academy trust and school staff.

Grievances against chairs and boards

We are handling more grievances raised by governors against chairs and by executives against their chair or board.

These are often a result of a poor relationship between a school leader and their board, or poor understanding of the role of governance by board members.

In all circumstances, we will conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation with an evidence-based conclusion.

Make an enquiry

Case studies

Investigations of grievances against chairs and boards

Our investigations into grievances involving chairs, governors and boards have highlighted several important lessons for strengthening best practice.

These findings include:

The importance of transparency and only using confidential minutes when necessary.
The need to ensure boards receive good support when dealing with HR matters.
The value of inductions and appropriate board training.

Whistleblowing investigations

Whistleblowing disclosures are often anonymous and can be wide-ranging in their nature.

Many disclosures raise concerns which stem from poor employee relations or poor communication with staff.

Boards receiving any whistleblowing disclosures must take them seriously and ensure a thorough investigation to ensure lessons are learned.

Make an enquiry

Case studies

Investigations of whistleblowing disclosures

In the last year, we have seen an increase in the number of whistleblowing disclosures received by schools and trusts.

Our recent whistleblowing investigations include:

Disclosures of financial impropriety.
Failure to follow admissions procedures.
Failure to follow fair and transparent recruitment practices.

There were lessons to be learned in all of these cases. The schools and trusts involved have all tightened their processes and improved their compliance procedures following our investigations.

Commission an investigation

Please contact us at [email protected] to discuss your investigation requirements or book a meeting with our head of consultancy.

Make an enquiry

I would like to take this opportunity to express how professional, thorough and supportive the consultant has been throughout this process. He has approached a highly complex and sensitive situation with great care, balance and objectivity. We are very grateful for the quality of his work and the manner in which he has engaged with all parties.
We immensely valued the consultant’s experience, knowledge, communication skills and insights, which were demonstrated throughout his engagement with us. NGA’s administration of the engagement was professional and prompt.