Introduction

Thank you for your interest in becoming an Independent Investigator and helping the House of Commons improve its workplace culture. The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme is a parliament-wide response to allegations of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct in the parliamentary community. Agreed by the House of Commons in July 2018, the Scheme consists of a Behaviour Code, Valuing Everyone training and independent complaints system and support mechanisms for complainants and respondents. The Scheme is just one element of a package of measures being put in place to ensure that everyone in the parliamentary community is treated with dignity and respect.

In July this year, the House of Commons agreed to some significant improvements to the Scheme, the main one being that there would no longer be a time-bar on when complaints can be made. You may find it interesting to read the report and the Hansard of the debate in the Chamber. This change will come into place in October this year and in advance of that it is imperative that we are able to identify experienced and skilled investigators who will be able to review incidents that may have happened many years ago. Parliament is a high-profile organisation and subject to intense scrutiny, and so we need investigators of the highest calibre who will enhance the credibility of the Scheme and command the confidence of complainants and those subject to complaints. This is why we are undertaking this recruitment exercise and you will find more detailed information elsewhere in this information pack and we very much look forward to receiving your applications.