It is quite rare for ISATT to receive complaints about its registered teachers. However, there is a process in place should someone wish to complain, and that ISATT takes any complaint very seriously.
Individuals or institutions who have a complaint regarding a certified Alexander Technique teacher may initially register their complaint in writing via a confidential email to the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) via the secretary Teresa Turner (info@isatt.ie)
Initial Steps
The Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) only responds to, and adjudicates written complaints about alleged serious misconduct or violations of ISATT’s Bylaw, Code of Professional Conduct, or other policies. Neither the ISATT Committee nor the PCC will respond to any anonymous complaints.
Complaints must contain the full name, phone number, and email address of the complainant.
A complaint needs to be filed within two years from the date that the alleged misconduct occurred or was discovered. However, the PCC has the discretion to extend the period in which a complaint can be filed if the complainant has provided reasonable grounds for such an extension.
Complaints can be received from anyone including students, trainees, teaching assistants, guests, visiting teachers, post-graduate apprentices in training schools, members, colleagues of members, the ISATT Committee and institutions. In response to a complaint from a student, a member is obligated to inform the student of the option of registering a formal complaint with the PCC.
All correspondence to the Chair of the PCC is confidential. Only the members of the PCC will have access to the information relating to the complaint. The PCC shall be guided by the principles of due process and natural justice and shall offer a reasonable opportunity for the parties concerned to be heard fully. Once the written complaint about a member is received, the Chair of the PCC will notify the President of ISATT that a complaint has been received.
Investigation
The PCC will contact the complainant by phone or electronic meeting within one week of receiving the complaint to gather any additional evidence or information that might be relevant or may clarify the complaint further.
The PCC will contact the respondent by phone or electronic meeting to gather information to ensure understanding of the complaint. The PCC will request a written response from the respondent.
Third-party witnesses noted by the complainant or respondent who are willing to speak to the PCC will be contacted by phone or electronic meeting. The witnesses may be asked to provide a written response.
Both complainant and respondent have one further opportunity to respond to evidence presented.
The PCC will take detailed notes of all phone and electronic meeting conversations, which may be recorded.
The Chair of the PCC will review ISATT’s disciplinary records to see if there are any records relevant to the current complaint.
Once the PCC has completed the adjudication process and come to a decision, it will present its findings to the complainant and the respondent in writing.
Appeal Process
Any complainants or respondents who want to challenge the decision or disciplinary action taken by the PCC have access to an appeal process through the ISATT Committee.
The ISATT Committee shall be guided by the same principles of due process and natural justice that the PCC follows.
Appeals to disciplinary decisions by the PCC must be made in writing to the ISATT Committee within 30 days of the date of notification of the PCC’s decision. The full Committee shall review and adjudicate an appeal within 60 days of receiving the appeal request.
A majority decision of the ISATT Committee shall be binding and final. It may choose to uphold the original PCC ruling, strike it down, or accept the finding, but decrease or increase the severity of disciplinary actions.
