Cheshire Tutorials – Terms and Conditions dated May 2017
1. Introduction
1.1 Cheshire Tutorials is a Tutorial Agency that links Clients with Tutors, and manages the invoicing of Clients and payment of Tutors.
1.2 This Website is owned and operated by Cheshire Tutorials which is a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales under number OC416581, with its registered office at 43 Bucklow Gardens, Lymm, WA13 9RN, Cheshire.
1.3 These terms and conditions cancel and replace any previous versions.
1.4 By registering with us (as a Tutor) and accepting the use of our service (as a Client), you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
2. Cheshire Tutorials Rights & Responsibilities
2.1 To respond to the Client’s search for a Tutor efficiently and communicate promptly to the Client the outcome of its search in their area
2.2 To reasonably endeavour to check the identity of all Tutors, and the DBS disclosures of Tutors with DBS Checked Status.
2.3 To invoice the Client ahead of tutoring, by half term block (first session can be invoiced separately) and pay Tutors on the last working day of the month.
2.4 To investigate all complaints (from Tutors or Clients) to a reasonable degree and to work towards a mutually agreeable solution.
2.5 To process refunds promptly in the event that lessons do not take place and repayment is requested (if no request is made, Cheshire Tutorials will assume that the Client is happy for payment to be rolled over to the following half term).
2.6 Data protection: details are only given after approval is received from both the Client and the Tutor.
3. Client’s Responsibilities
Clients are responsible adults requesting the service of one or several Tutors for themselves or for the student(s) under their responsibility.
3.1 Cheshire Tutorials takes no responsibility for the actions of Clients or Tutors and is solely responsible for its own actions.
3.2 Clients are asked to pay tutoring by half term block, ahead of the first session (in the exception of first tutoring which can be invoiced separately).
3.3 When Clients have accepted to use the service of a Tutor, they are given this Tutor’s details and are responsible for organising the schedule of forthcoming lessons with the Tutor.
3.4 Clients must not pay the Tutor directly. All payments must be made through Cheshire Tutorials, by bank transfer, cash or cheque.
3.5 Clients agree that there will be no attempts to disintermediate Cheshire Tutorials in any way, either at the time of accepting a Tutor or at any point in future and that all future lessons with a Tutor found through Cheshire Tutorials will be booked through Cheshire Tutorials, (unless specifically agreed with Cheshire Tutorials).
3.6 Clients must ensure that they have given enough information to Cheshire Tutorials, including their correct address, to allow the Lesson to take place. If a Lesson is to take place at the Client’s home, the Client must ensure a suitable setting for tuition.
3.7 Clients must use their own judgement about the services of Tutors. Clients are responsible for checking the credentials, expertise, references, qualifications and insurance policies of any Tutor from whom they receive tutoring.
3.8 Any Client who fails to meet these Terms and Conditions may be immediately barred from using Cheshire Tutorials services. Cheshire Tutorials reserves the right to cancel any existing bookings and return unused funds.
4. Tutor Responsibilities
Tutors are responsible adults who have registered as a private Tutor with Cheshire Tutorials and have provided all the relevant information for their application to the Agency.
4.1 Tutors are not employees of Cheshire Tutorials and are solely responsible for their own actions.
4.2 Tutors must be at least 18 years old.
4.3 Tutors must be legally entitled to work in the UK.
4.5 Tutors are responsible for ensuring that their personal information given to Cheshire Tutorials is kept up to date (Change of address, update of DBS certificate, new qualifications etc…)
4.6 Tutors must disclose any criminal convictions or cautions they may have to Cheshire Tutorials.
5.7 Tutors claiming DBS Checked Status must present the relevant documents to Cheshire Tutorials.
4.8 Tutors must use their own judgement about whether they wish to offer their tuition services to clients provided by Cheshire Tutorials. Tutors should take every precaution to ensure that they work in a safe environment and are responsible for their own insurance policies to cover the work they undertake.
4.9 Tutors are responsible for setting their own fee. Cheshire Tutorials then adds a fixed administration fee before invoicing the Client.
4.10 Tutors should confirm lessons which took place during the month, in order for Cheshire Tutorials to proceed with monthly.
4.11 Tutors are to respond to messages received from Cheshire Tutorials and Clients promptly (either by text, phone or email).
4.12 Any lessons given to a Student with a Tutor found via Cheshire Tutorials must be booked and paid via Cheshire Tutorials. Tutors should make no attempts to solicit Students or disintermediate Cheshire Tutorials in any way, either at the time of tutoring or at any point in future.
4.12 Any Tutor who fails to meet these Terms and Conditions may be immediately barred from Cheshire Tutorials’ Database. Cheshire Tutorials reserves the right to cancel any existing schedule sessions, at any time.
5. Payment Terms
5.1 The fee payable by a Client is to be communicated by Cheshire Tutorials prior to the tutoring taking place and approved by Clients before details of tutors are given.
5.2 Fees are to be paid ahead of tutoring. Cheshire Tutorials reserves the right to cancel a session if the fee has not been received promptly.
5.3 Tutors are usually paid on the last working day of the month.
6. Cancellations
6.1 A client may cancel at no charge a schedule session up to 24 hours before a lesson takes place. Communication is to be done directly with the Tutor and/ or Cheshire Tutorials.
6.2 To cancel a lesson less than 24 hours before a session is due to commence, the client must inform the Tutor giving the Lesson. We leave it to the Tutor's discretion whether to accept the cancellation request without charge, or to charge the lesson at 50% of the Tutor's hourly rate.
6.3 Tutors may cancel a Booking at any time prior to a Lesson taking place. To cancel a Lesson, Tutors must inform the Client directly and Cheshire Tutorials. In the event of a Tutor cancelling, the Client will receive a full refund.
6.4 If a Lesson does not take place because a Student does not show up, the Student will be charged the full Lesson price.
6.5 If a Lesson does not take place because a Tutor does not show up, Clients are responsible for informing Cheshire Tutorials. The Client will be fully refunded for the price of the Lesson.
7. Complaints
7.1 As defined at the end of this document, “Complaint” means a claim by a Client that the service provided by a Tutor falls below the expected standards or the terms and conditions governing them.
7.2 If a Client wishes to make a Complaint, they must contact Cheshire Tutorials within 48 hours of the scheduled finish time of the Lesson.
7.3 Cheshire Tutorials will contact the Tutor to inform them of a Complaint being raised and seek to ensure the highest level of service is provided.
7.4 Refunds will be awarded solely at the discretion of Cheshire Tutorials, who will always seek to make sure that Students are fully satisfied with the service provided.
8. Child Protection
8.1 Cheshire Tutorials seeks to provide the best service possible and provide a safe experience in which pupils can learn.
8.2 Tutors should not be left in sole care of children.
8.3 All Users must comply with the TTA Child Protection Policy and all relevant legislation and government guidance.
8.4 If any Client or Tutor has a concern regarding child protection, they should contact Cheshire Tutorials immediately.