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Things you should, can and Must Do!

Welcome to the second self help page. The "Must Do!" link will always take you back to the first of these help pages, and this is the section of the website I think will become the biggest as information is added.

Post your story for others to read, they may be able to help with advice or just moral support, again details in "Your Stories". For help on a personal level, go to "Coping Personally". For a bit of fun and light relief, click on "Don't Get Mad, Get Even".

  • Next Phone the Council
    Be Polite but FIRM!The most likely thing you will have been told is to notify some department of your Local Council. PHONE THEM NOW! Have all the details you can get to hand, the date, the time, the place and what actually happened. Be prepared to be told something along the lines of "complaints of this nature must be in writing". Hogwash! The Council may have a policy of wanting complaints in writing, but Scottish Office and UK Government states that they should make the process of complaining easier for people by accepting phone complaints. Be firm but polite. Point out that you are aware of this, but that you wish them to log your verbal complaint which will be followed up with details in writing. If they persist in refusing to accept a verbal complaint, ask for the name of the person taking the call, and say you may take the matter further. Find out why you should phone first--click here!(link not working-in preparation)
  • Take Notes, and Keep Records.
    You've just experienced your first "jobsworth"! Congratulations! Now you can see why it becomes important to keep a record of everything that happens so you can refer back to it when needed. Remember, all of these Councils and official bodies will have access to their computer files and records. Get yourself an A4 size loose leaf folder and keep copies of all your letters in and out about the problems, note down the phone calls with the date and time and the names of the people you are dealing with and stick those in the file also, best in date order perhaps. Keep it beside you when you call again, and you will be able to refer to previous calls and letters quickly and easily.
  • Keep a Diary
    POSSIBLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU MUST DO!
    You MUST start keeping a Diary. This is of the events as they happen. Get yourself a notebook of some kind, preferably one in which the pages are NOT loose leaf, or even better if you can find a current year's week to two page desk diary or similar. Note Note the time!down the date  and time of any and every happening or incident, both major and minor, even name calling, swearing and verbal abuse. Note down where it happens, and any circumstances leading up to the incident. Note down the names and identities of your abusers, for example, the "son of the householder, Joe Bloggs" or the "householder himself, Fred Bloggs, of number 54 Smith Lane" and so on. Note down whether or not you called the Police or other authorities, and the time of their arrival. Note down the Officers name and number if you can, and any medical details if injury occurs. If you can get the details of any Paramedic staff who attend , well and good, but this may not be easy, there is a natural reluctance on the part of Medics to "side" with any perceived faction or party. Sign the entry, and each entry individually. If more than one person witnesses the event, it can be a good idea if they all sign the entry as a record of the event. Overkill? probably, but if your NFH gets themselves a "smart-*ss" lawyer and the case comes to court, then it becomes vital evidence taken at the time.

Text originally prepared and © Mel Evans August 2000

Click on the links below, these are continuation pages for "Must Do!"

Must Do Initial Contacts | Written Complaints