AHN Complaint Management Policy
Note: This policy is subject to change at any time. Please check all AHN Policies on a regular basis for updates.
Document Overview:
This document outlines the AHN policy on complaints and the procedures to be followed if a Guest or Host cannot reach a resolution between themselves, should a problem in homestay occur. AHN’s response to complaints between a Guest and Host will be based on a fair and efficient resolution, and at the first available opportunity. Please note the procedure below may vary slightly, depending on whether the complaint is raised by a Guest, Host or Education Provider.
Background information:
AHN should ensure all Guests and Hosts have contact details for their local office should they have concerns or complaints about any aspect of their homestay placement.
When investigating a complaint, the number of people who know of the matter should be kept to a minimum. Only those directly involved e.g. Guest, Host and an AHN staff member should be informed in the first instance. Every person who becomes aware of the alleged complaint has a duty to maintain confidentiality and should be made aware of this.
Complaints and their investigation should be carried out in good faith. Guests and Hosts involved in a complaint should not be motivated by malice or ill will. The AHN staff member investigating the complaint should be fair and thorough, limiting his or her investigation to matters of relevance to the complaint and adhering to the confidentiality principle, while acting in good faith.
There are at least two perspectives to a complaint and the opportunity to present both needs to be provided. This needs to be done without prejudging, forming conclusions without all the facts, or predetermining any outcomes.
Support
At all stages of the complaint process the Guest or Host are entitled to have a support person present. A Guest may prefer an interpreter or friend whose English is at a higher level than their own. The support person is not an advocate and should not advocate on behalf of the Guest. Similarly, if a Host is more comfortable with a support person then this must be allowed.
Documentation
Confidential records will be kept of all conversations, telephone calls and meetings, and will be used if the complaint becomes formal. Notes will be documented in the files of both Hosts and Guests on the AHN system. Notes should include the following:
Methods of Resolution:
Informal:
The preferred method of complaint resolution is informal, where appropriate.
Informal complaint resolution processes can be effective. They are voluntary, confidential, are conducted with goodwill, involve the minimal number of people and allow the parties to explore options and make their own decisions about how to resolve a complaint rather than having a ‘third party’ making and enforcing a decision.
Informal processes are not about blaming or finding fault; they are about attempting to resolve the complaint. In many instances informality encourages both Guest and Host to be more honest and to feel that they do not have to defend or justify themselves as they would have to in a more formal investigation process.
An AHN staff member will assist in solving a problem when it is bought to the attention of the local office. If satisfaction is not reached after discussion with the staff member, the problem can be escalated to the AHN State Manager and then the AHN CEO.
Formal:
Where informal resolution does not satisfy the Guest or Host and the grounds and context of the complaint require further investigation, a formal process will be instigated if this is what the complainant requests. Upon request AHN staff will provide a Complaint Report Form for the complainant to complete and return to AHN for further investigation.
AHN take any complaints regarding harassment, bullying or discrimination very seriously.
Definitions
Harassment may be sexual in nature or based on gender, race, disability or sexual preference. It includes behaviour that intimidates, offends, degrades or humiliates.
Discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably than another person because of certain attributes (direct discrimination), or when a requirement that is the same for everyone has an unfair effect on some people because of an attribute, such as race, gender or disability (indirect discrimination).
Bullying behaviour is described as the repeated less favourable treatment of a person by another or others, which may be considered unreasonable and inappropriate practice. It includes behaviour that intimidates, offends, degrades or humiliates.
Procedure:
1. Record as much information as possible, including:
2. Discuss the complaint with a fair, non-judgmental attitude
3. Assist the Guest or Host to evaluate their options and choose a strategy for addressing the issue
4. Ensure record of the information in 1)is obtained from the corresponding party
5. Attempt to resolve the complaint with the parties concerned
6. Clarify appropriate standards of behavior
7. Escalate if necessary
AHN will ensure that a complaint is dealt with as quickly as possible
It is important that, whatever the outcome, both the Guest and Host understand what the outcome is, how it was reached and what is expected of them.
The outcomes should include:
Appeals
Guests or Hosts should request the assistance of the AHN State Manager or the AHN CEO if no resolution is able to be reached. Full written justification of the appeal will need to be provided.
Where the Guest or Host remain dissatisfied with the outcome of an appeal process or a grievance process, the Guest or Host may lodge a complaint with
Reviewed: March 2022
