Y o u a n d t h e R A F
Dr Susan Atkins Service Complaints Commissioner
T
he Service Complaints Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Dr Susan Atkins, has been getting to know the RAF to gain a better
understanding of what life is like for the Armed Forces.
The role of Commissioner came out of proposals in the review of the deaths of four recruits at Deepcut. Service men and women, or their families, can write to the Commissioner to raise any matter concerning their service but she has special powers to monitor complaints of unacceptable behaviour, which includes bullying, harassment, discrimination, victimisation and dishonest behaviour.
In these cases the person handling the complaint, from Commanding Officer up to the Defence Council itself, has to report to the Commissioner regularly and inform her of the outcome. She has the power to raise
concerns at the highest level within the Service and directly with Ministers. She also has a statutory duty to report to the Secretary of State and Parliament on the fairness, efficiency and effectiveness of the system.
“My aim is to ensure that all Service men and women and their families have confidence in the system and are treated properly, not only when they make a complaint but day in, day out, in their life in the Services.
Many hundreds of families or friends of service personnel have contacted the Commissioner. Around a third have raised concerns of improper behaviour. Other matters of concern include postings, appraisals and non-payment of allowances. In a number of cases, the fact that the Commissioner has referred the matter to the Commanding Officer has been sufficient to get it resolved informally to everyone’s satisfaction. In other cases, the referral has led to a Service complaint. All COs are taking the referrals very seriously.
When she met the RAF Families Federation Susan Atkins said “I am here to ensure that service complaints are dealt with fairly, effectively and efficiently and there is good communication during the investigation. Cases to date show that these are real issues and there is a long way to go.”
The Commissioner’s website gives details of how she can help you: http://armed
forcescomplaints.independent.gov. uk or e-mail scc@armedforcescomplaints.
independent.gov.uk or by post to SCC PO BOX 61755 London SW1A 2WA.
Chairman’s note: The Chairman of the RAF FF met with Dr Atkins and agreed to meet 6-monthly to compare notes and discuss themes arising from the issues being raised by RAF family members. We welcome this contact with such a highly influential Commissioner working on behalf of RAF families.
28
Autumn 2008
www.raf-families-federation.org.uk
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