Make a Complaint to the Ombudsman for Children

Before you start

Many public bodies come under the Ombudsman for Children's Office's (OCO) remit. Before you start filling in this form, you need to be sure that we can examine the public body you are complaining about. You can find a list of public bodies that can be investigated in this section of the Ombudsman for Children Act, 2022. You can also find a list of frequently asked questions here.

Make sure you can make a complaint

Is your complaint about a public body that the OCO can look at?Required

Please note: The Ombudsman for Children Act 2002, and its amendments, sets out the public bodies that we can handle complaints about. We cannot examine complaints about public bodies outside the Republic of Ireland or private organisations in the Republic of Ireland.

For example, name the school, hospital or local authority

Have you made a complaint to the public body in writing?Required

You will be able to attach a copy of your complaint at the end of this form

Have you received a decision, or reply, to your complaint?Required

If you are not happy with the response, it may be the right time to submit a complaint to us. You can also decide to make a complaint to us if the public body did not give you its decision when it said it would.

Even if you have not yet received a decision or a reply, you may still submit a complaint to us with the understanding that there will be no accompanying documentation to upload that supports your complaint.

Your personal information

Are you:Required
What is the best way for us to contact you?Required

Child/Children's information

Would you like to add the details for another child?Required

For example, are you their parent, guardian, teacher, social worker, aunt, uncle, sibling?

Details about your complaint

If you are a child making the complaint, please tell us your views/the views of any other child involved

'Any other service' could, for example, be a professional regulator or an advocacy service

The OCO aims to be as accessible as possible to complainants

Upload documents

If available, attach copies of any letters or emails that you have sent to the public body. You can also attach any response(s) that you have received and any other information you think is relevant

Information and Data Protection

The OCO will only request relevant data and information to assist with a complaint or an investigation. This data and information can be captured via a complaint form, email, phone/online call or in writing. We do not record phone/online conversations but we may produce reference notes. If a complaint is within our remit, we may need to share data and information you provided with the relevant parties, but only information relevant to the processing of the complaint. For more information, please visit privacy and cookies.

If you have any questions, ring the Complaints and Investigations Team at FREEFONE 1800 202 040 or email us at ococomplaint@oco.ie