Complaints Manager

Chester Diocesan Academies Trust, Runcorn, WA7 4QX

23 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  4th January 2027

• Closing date

  9 November 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  17 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership role
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £32,409.00 Annually (Actual) £32,409–£35,420 per annum (£39,481–£43,149 FTE). NJC SCP 27–31

Complaints Manager job summary

Chester Diocesan Academies Trust (CDAT) is seeking to appoint a Complaints Manager to join our central team. This is a new role within the Trust, leading the day-to-day management of complaints and helping to ensure that concerns are handled fairly, consistently and professionally.

The postholder will provide advice and practical support to Headteachers and Trust colleagues, manage complex and formal complaints, undertake investigations where required, and support early and effective resolution wherever possible. Where complaints progress through formal stages, the Complaints Manager will help ensure that they are managed robustly and in line with Trust policy and relevant statutory guidance.

The role will also act as the Trust’s principal operational link with its external Data Protection Officer, supporting schools and central colleagues with Subject Access Requests, Freedom of Information requests and related information governance matters.

This role could suit someone from a range of professional backgrounds. You may already work in school or trust governance, complaints or compliance, or come from a legal, regulatory, public sector or similar professional environment. We are not necessarily looking for someone who knows every aspect of education from day one; what matters most is that you can analyse complex issues, apply policy and guidance, communicate clearly and exercise sound judgement.

We are looking for someone who is highly organised, calm and resilient, with excellent communication skills and the confidence to deal professionally with sensitive or challenging situations. You will also need to build effective working relationships, use initiative and follow issues through to resolution.

CDAT is a growing and successful trust of 32 primary schools across the Diocese of Chester, including schools in Cheshire, Wirral, Halton, Warrington, Stockport and Tameside. Our central team is based in Runcorn. This is a hybrid role, with the opportunity for some home working and occasional travel to Trust schools.

Advert Closing Date: Monday 9th November

Shortlisting: Tuesday 10th November

Interviews: Tuesday 17th November

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Chester Diocesan Academies Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Chester Diocesan Academies Trust website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/chester-diocesan-academies-trust

CDAT was established by the Chester Diocesan Board of Education in 2014. Since our inception, we have developed our vision to build thriving learning communities that provide everyone with the opportunity to achieve the very best with their gifts and abilities.

CDAT is a fully inclusive trust. Our vision and ethos are firmly rooted in clear, core Christian values, but we are happy to work with both church and community schools, and our schools welcome people of all faiths and none. We offer an educational experience that is rooted in faith, hope and love. We support our schools to ensure that their vision permeates all aspects of school life.

Children are at the heart of CDAT. We want each individual to develop knowledge, skills, understanding and wisdom, underpinned by values based on principles that are important to people of all faiths and no faith.

‘Jesus said, ‘I have come in order that you might have life, life in all its fullness.’ (John 10:10)

CDAT wants every child to experience ‘life in all its fullness’: to have outstanding learning opportunities; opportunities to act, sing, dance, play sport and be artistic; opportunities to make lifelong friendships, help those in need and become full and rounded individuals; opportunities to develop and pursue ambitions. In short, we want the very best for all of our children.

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