Event Summary

Parental complaints are rising across schools. In the past year alone, an estimated five million formal complaints have been made by parents*.

This timely conference comes at a critical moment. Schools will gain practical insights and renewed confidence to handle parental complaints effectively, in line with the latest guidance.

Effective complaint handling can be a powerful tool for building trust and strengthening relationships with parents. Parentkind’s School Guide to Parent Complaints supports school leaders to address issues collaboratively and positively. With a focus on respectful communication, timely resolution, and accessibility, take away practical advice and best practice guidance to build positive relationships with parents and resolve complaints before they escalate.

The conference will explore the increasing volume of complaints, the most common topics, and the new pressures exacerbating complaints – including the use of social media, AI, group messaging, and organised campaigns and petitions. In the recent White Paper, the Government announced a new direction for the complaints system – including new expectations for schools and parents, and plans for a digital solution to streamline complaints.

You will hear how to manage high-risk, persistent, vexatious, and complex complaints, and strategies to prevent escalation. How can schools respond confidently to challenges amplified by AI and social media? Take proactive steps to protect staff wellbeing and prevent abuse.

Attend this conference to access the latest guidance, expert-led sessions, legal insights, and practical case studies. Take this opportunity to strengthen parent-school relationships and improve your complaints procedure.

*Parentkind research 2025

Key Points

• Statutory complaints requirements and new DfE and Parentkind guidance
• The White Paper’s expectations for home-school partnerships and plans for a new digital solution to complaints
• Creating an accessible, proportionate complaints policy aligned with school values
• Understanding each stage of the complaints procedure and how to conduct a robust complaints investigation
• Managing complaints that have been amplified by AI, social media, group messaging platforms or online trolls
• Dealing with duplicate complaints from various complainants and organised campaigns and petitions
• Effective Governor and Trustee complaint panel hearings
• Practical strategies to manage parental expectations and prevent parents’ concerns escalating into complaints
• Establishing clear boundaries and responses for unreasonable, serial, vexatious, or complex complaints
• Managing parental complaints involving safeguarding
• Using complaints as intelligence for school improvement

Sponsorship

Interested in sponsoring this event? Click here for sponsorship opportunities.

View all our conferences, events and training here.

Group discounts

Contact us for group rates.