KCETB is committed to publishing a Customer Service Charter that outlines the nature and quality of service which customers (internal and external) can expect and deserve.
| Point | Actions |
| 1.1 | Ensure that all customers are kept fully informed of the standards of service they can expect to receive from KCETB. This will be done through making available a copy of our Customer Charter in all KCETB’s public offices, schools and centres |
| 1.2 | Ensure that a digital copy of the Customer Charter and Customer Service Action Plan is available to download from KCETB’s website (www.kcetb.ie) |
| 1.3 | Commit to delivering the actions outlined in the Customer Service Action Plan and produce a report for publication in the Annual Report |
| 1.4 | Provide training on quality customer service to staff in an effort to build a culture of excellence in customer service at KCETB. In particular, training will be made available to staff who have specific external customer-facing roles on a regular basis |
| 1.5 | The following standards will be adhered to:
Visitor to our offices, schools and centres
Telephone calls
Letters sent to KCETB
Website
If a customer is not happy
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KCETB is committed to delivering a quality service to all our customers and we will endeavour to ensure that no one is discriminated against because of their gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community. We will accommodate diversity and work to make our services more accessible for people experiencing poverty and social exclusion.
| Point | Actions |
| 2.1 | Raise awareness of the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, familiarise our staff with their obligations in this regard, and provide equality/diversity training as appropriate |
| 2.2 | Continue to comply with Section 25 of the Disability Act 2005, which requires all government departments and agencies to ensure that parts of their buildings are, as far as practicable, accessible to persons with disabilities, or make appropriate alternative arrangements as required |
| 2.3 | Seek funding to appoint an EDI Officer (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) for KCETB |
| 2.4 | Ensure that our Communications Strategy includes methods of communication to ensure access to information to people of all literacy/language levels |
| 2.5 | Set up a Public Sector Equality and Human Rights working group |
| 2.6 | Ensure that appropriate education supports are in place for refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, members of the traveller community etc. when they attend our schools/centres. |
| 2.7 | Ensure that the diverse needs of our students are accommodated, to the greatest extent possible, within the services offered, including support for issues which impact on learning within our schools and centres |
| 2.8 | Continue to provide flexible working hours and a range of working options in line with relevant legislation |
| 2.9 | Continue to review and develop our recruitment and selection practices in line with relevant legislation and best practice |
KCETB is committed to providing clean, safe, accessible public buildings, providing private spaces for meeting with customers when required, or where appropriate.
| Point | Actions |
| 3.1 | Comply with Section 25 of the Disability Act 2005, requiring all government departments and agencies to ensure that parts of their buildings are, as far as practicable, accessible to persons with disabilities, or make appropriate alternative arrangements as required |
| 3.2 | Carry out Health and Safety audits on our buildings to ensure that they are clean, comfortable and comply with occupational health and safety standards |
| 3.3 | Continue to be proactive in applying to the Department of Education (DE) for funding to improve the standard of our schools |
| 3.4 | Prioritise the delivery of infrastructural projects, including new buildings and/or extensions, to meet modern education and training needs. |
| 3.5 | Continue to be proactive in applying to SOLAS for funding to improve the standard of our Further Education and Training centres |
| 3.6 | Prioritise the highest environmental standards with regard to new builds (NZEB rating etc.) |
| 3.7 | Ensure that risk assessments are carried out where appropriate and that staff safety is maintained in all schools and centres |
| 3.8 | Ensure that SNAs have access to appropriate training |
| 3.9 | Ensure each school/centre/building has adequate parking facilities |
| 3.10 | Ensure there are floor markings where required in all our buildings |
| 3.11 | Ensure that we have specialist equipment where required and that staff are provided with instruction, information and training as necessary |
KCETB is committed to providing information that is clear, timely and accurate and that meets the requirements of people with specific needs.
| Point | Actions |
| 4.1 | Redesign the KCETB website to make it more accessible and user-friendly |
| 4.2 | Review the staff portal to ensure it is up-to-date and features all relevant staff information |
| 4.3 | Review and realign our use of social media as a tool to provide timely updates on services |
| 4.4 | Continually review forms, brochures and information leaflets available to the public to ensure that they use plain English, are easy to understand and to complete |
| 4.5 | Use multiple ways for the distribution of information to staff, students and learners and the public, through online, social media and published channels |
| 4.6 | Ensure our staff are aware of our communications and social media policies and the relevant requirements within the policies that impact on our internal and external communications |
| 4.7 | Develop a marketing strategy for our courses and services, to include the distribution of marketing material, ensuring that our services and courses are being marketed to the appropriate audiences and in relevant locations |
| 4.8 | Develop and publish a brand guideline manual for KCETB to support the development of a strong and consistent brand and culture for the organisation |
| 4.9 | Make available a list of up-to-date contact details for key KCETB staff through the staff portal |
| 4.10 | Review the external signage outside our buildings to ensure that it is accurate and useful for internal and external customers |
| Point | Actions |
| 5.1 | Ensure that customers are treated with courtesy and that enquiries are dealt with promptly and efficiently |
| 5.2 | Ensure that all telephone communications with the office are dealt with in an efficient, timely and courteous manner |
| 5.3 | Ensure that all staff members provide their name and section when answering telephone calls |
| 5.4 | Ensure that voicemail messages are updated regularly and that all voicemail messages are responded to within three working days |
| 5.5 | Ensure that contact details are provided on all written or e-mail communications |
| 5.6 | Acknowledge receipt of written communications within a specific timeframe. If it is not possible to deal with the matter promptly, an interim reply will be issued |
| 5.7 | Provide training on quality customer service to staff in an effort to build a culture of excellence in customer service at KCETB. In particular, training will be made available to staff who have specific external customer-facing roles on a regular basis |
| Point | Actions |
| 6.1 | Deal with all complaints within the timeframes set in our Complaints Procedure |
| 6.2 | Publicise the Customer Service Complaints Procedure on our staff portal and website and ensure it is easy to access |
| 6.3 | Ensure that all complaints are treated promptly, fairly, impartially and in confidence |
| 6.4 | Process all complaints in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation |
| 6.5 | Monitor complaints to ensure that future services are improved where necessary |
| 6.6 | Adhere to the Procedure for Processing Complaints made by Parents/Guardians of Students or by Adults Learner(s) 2018 where there is a complaint made by a parent/guardian of a student or adult learner against a staff member, and make all parties involved aware of the procedure |
KCETB will maintain a formalised, well-publicised, accessible, transparent and simple-to-use system of appeal/review for customers who are dissatisfied with decisions in relation to services.
Point | Actions |
7.1 | Handle all appeals within the timeframes set in our Customer Complaints Procedure |
7.2 | Ensure that all appeals are treated promptly, fairly, impartially and in confidence |
7.3 | Records of appeals will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation |
7.4 | Ensure that feedback from the Customer Appeals Procedure is kept under review |
| Point | Actions |
| 8.1 | Develop customer feedback mechanisms, including use of online feedback tools and focus group sessions where staff can interact and share ideas (including students/learners and parents) |
| 8.2 | Consult with stakeholders on an ongoing basis in order to develop and enhance the services provided |
| 8.3 | Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the organisation |
| 8.4 | Seek feedback from our customers on the quality of the services we provide and report on our performance in our Annual Report |
| 8.5 | Ensure that the feedback from all consultation processes is analysed and actions undertaken to ensure progressive improvement |
| 8.6 | Regularly measure and evaluate performance against commitments in our Customer Charter |
| Point | Actions |
| 9.1 | Expand the range of transactions that can be carried out online so that customers can access services when it is convenient for them. |
| 9.2 | Ensure the availability of multiple contact options within the organisation, including telephone, email and website addresses |
| 9.3 | Examine new technology in order to develop convenient alternative ways of interacting with members of staff |
| 9.4 | Explore alternative teaching and training methods, including online provision, to increase flexibility and access for learners |
KCETB will continue to provide quality services through Irish and English and will make every effort to accommodate customers who wish to conduct their business through the medium of Irish.
| Point | Actions |
| 10.1 | Comply with the requirements of the Official Languages Act 2003 |
| 10.2 | Make every effort to accommodate people who wish to conduct their business through the medium of Irish and indicate this in our Customer Charter |
| 10.3 | Ensure that the Annual Report, Strategy Statement and other information publications and key policy documents produced by, or on behalf of, KCETB are available in Irish |
| 10.4 | Continue to maintain our website in the Irish and English language |
| 10.5 | Ensure that signage in our schools/centres/offices is displayed in Irish and English, as specified in the Irish Language Act 2003 |
| 10.6 | Implement the actions outlined in KCETB’s Scéim Teanga |
| 10.7 | Comply with the Official Languages Act Section 10.1a from October 2022 in relation to advertising |
| 10.8 | Support members of staff who wish to develop their Irish language skills |
KCETB will work to develop a more co-ordinated and consistent approach to delivery of our services across all departments in the organisation.
| Point | Actions |
| 11.1 | Continue to develop an integrated approach to the delivery of our services, including co-operation with local statutory, voluntary and community groups
|
| 11.2 | Provide details of departments and services on our staff portal and website so that customers know who to contact |
| 11.3 | Provide an induction programme for new staff to ensure that they are given information on our organisation and its services |
| 11.4 | Encourage cross-functional working across departments so that staff understand the role they play in the lifecycle of service delivery. This will ensure more integrated service provision for customers |
| 11.5 | Encourage effective communication across departments, through increased opportunities for face-to-face and online meetings with colleagues in other departments |
| Point | Actions |
| 12.1 | Ensure that the standards that apply to external customers apply to internal customers |
| 12.2 | Promote a culture of respect for diversity and difference amongst staff |
| 12.3 | Continue to produce a staff newsletter so that staff are informed of developments and initiatives occurring across the organisation |
| 12.4 | Organise specific information sharing sessions across departments in KCETB |
| 12.5 | Maintain an up-to-date staff portal for staff information and knowledge sharing |
| 12.6 | Continue to formally recognise the contribution of staff on their retirement from KCETB through the organisation of a celebratory event |
| 12.7 | Ensure all members of staff are treated with dignity and respect |
| 12.8 | Adopt a culture of responding to queries from colleagues as quickly and as accurately as possible, within the response timeframes set out |
| 12.9 | Regularly assess our buildings to ensure that they are fit-for-purpose and comfortable for staff, students and learners and that they comply to health and safety legislation |
| 12.10 | Build networks and communities of practice to support capacity building and sharing of good practice |
| 12.11 | Support the well-being of staff through a range of services |
| 12.12 | Develop an annual Continuous Professional Development (CPD) plan for the organisation that promotes learning for all. |
