Terms and Conditions
Summary
At Brimstone we do our best to fulfil your needs and meet your expectations, but it’s important to have things written down so that we both know what’s what, who should do what and when, and what will happen if something goes wrong. Before starting any work we will provide you with information about our terms and conditions. The information we provide you with will include costings, services we will provide you with, how you can pay, when you should pay, and what happens if either of us cancel any work.
What do we expect from you
We expect that you have the authority to enter into any agreements with us on behalf of yourself, your child, or your organisation. You’ll give us the information we need to provide you with the most appropriate service from the best suited of our team members. We would normally expect for you to complete a referral form prior to an initial discussion. For circumstances where an initial discussion is not necessary we would expect you to provide us with enough information for us to give you an accurate quotation.
To ensure a safe and respectful environment for all employees, clients, and visitors. Brimstone is committed to providing a workplace that is free from all forms of abuse and violence. We will not tolerate any behaviour that intimidates, threatens, or harms individuals or property. We expect that employees, contractors, clients, visitors, and anyone else interacting with Brimstone will not engage in:
– Physical assaults or threats of physical harm.
– Verbal abuse, including shouting, swearing, or any language that is intended to intimidate or demean.
– Any form of harassment, including sexual harassment.
– Any other behaviour that creates a hostile or unsafe environment.
Please help to ensure that both you and our staff enjoy a safe collaborative environment.
What should you expect from us
We agree to provide you with realistic expectations of what can be achieved with our input. Usually following an initial discussion we will provide you with clear costings for any services we recommend. As a service we work inline with the HCPC Standards of conduct, performance and ethics. You can expect us to:
Promote and protect the interests of service users, parents and carers
Communicate appropriately and effectively
Work within the limits of our knowledge and skills
Delegate appropriately
Respect confidentiality
Manage risk
Report concerns about safety
Be open when things go wrong
Be honest and trustworthy
Keep records of our work
Assessments
Assessments of children under 18 are only carried out with the consent of parents or those with parental responsibility. Assessments take place at the child’s/client’s school, provided this has been previously agreed with members of school staff. We can’t work without your consent. We understand the importance of and make sure to obtain informed consent.
Please be aware that due to safety and security of our staff we do not complete visits to the home. Those children not in school have the option of completing assessments virtually (using our online consultation room). Please be assured that the quality of advice is not compromised and our decision to work in this way is a matter of safeguarding.
Written reports will be emailed securely 4 weeks after the assessment or on payment of fees, whichever is later. Reports will not be sent to any other party without the permission of the consenting parent/client.
Confidentiality
Our psychologists are members of the HCPC and all team members:
Respect the confidentiality of those we work with
Understand the importance of and are able to maintain confidentiality
Are aware of the limits of the concept of confidentiality
Understand the principles of information governance and are aware of the safe and effective use of health, social care and other relevant information
Are able to recognise and respond appropriately to situations where it is necessary to share information to safeguard service users or the wider public
Fees
The academy trust/school/parent is responsible for a deposit of £275.00 which is to be paid prior to the assessment being carried out unless otherwise agreed. The assessment fee and full payment details are provided on the written appointment letter emailed to clients. Please be aware that no reports will be sent out prior to full payment of fees. The consenting parent/client is responsible for full payment of fees once assessment has been conducted unless otherwise agreed. The assessment fee and full payment details are provided to clients upon agreement to assess.
Quotations
Following a request for our service, if appropriate, we will send you a quotation via email. The quotation will itemise the costings for the services we will provide. Work will not be started until this quote has been accepted.
Organisational fees
For organisations requesting our services we will request a purchase order or email to confirm acceptance of quote. Payment is then requested by invoice at the end of the calendar month. We accept payment by electronic transfer
We reserve the right to charge interest on all overdue debts. The interest we will charge is 8% plus the Bank of England base rate.
Invoices
We issue invoices electronically. Our payment terms are upon receipt of invoice. We’re sure you understand how important it is as a small business that you pay the invoices that we send you promptly. As we’re also sure you’ll want to stay friends, you agree to pay our invoices on receipt of invoice.
Cancellation
If a session is cancelled by you less than 48 hours prior to the appointment, then 100% of the total cost will be payable.
If a session is cancelled by us at any time prior to the appointment we would refund 100% of the amount paid.
Initial discussion
Prior to any assessment we provide an initial discussion to ensure that we provide the most appropriate service and psychologist to meet the needs of the child or young person. This provides an opportunity for concerns, information and expectations to be shared with us. The initial discussion also includes the time for reviewing previous reports, creating an action plan and email correspondence.
Reports
We charge for reports. The price you pay will be dependent on the length of time the report takes, this will be agreed with you in advance upon receipt of a returned referral form. Costs for reports may be included in a quotation. If a report is subsequently requested following an assessment, or period of intervention, we will provide you with a quotation for the cost.
At Brimstone we are committed to the ongoing development of the Educational Psychology profession and as a result we employ Assistant Psychologists to support us in gathering information. Our Assistant Psychologists have lots of experience working with children and young people and are supervised by our qualified psychologists.
Several of our Assistant Psychologists have many years experience working within Local Authorities
Reports are most valid when completed immediately following our input. We may be unable to provide comprehensive reports following any break in provision.
Changes and revisions
We don’t want to limit your ability to change your mind about what input you would like us to provide. You can change your mind at any point with regards to the services you would like to receive. If you were to cancel services please see above with regards to how we treat cancellations.
Prior to working with you we will have sent you a quotation or costing. If you change your mind about what input you would like us we may provide you with an updated, or separate, quotation or costings.
Amendments to reports may be made in relation to factual errors or any missed information at the discretion of the Educational Psychologist. Suggested alterations to wording, which do not affect the recommendations given by the Educational Psychologist will not be considered. Should any new information be provided an addendum report may be completed if deemed appropriate by the Educational Psychologist and may be subject to additional costs. Please note that additional work other than agreed as part of the assessment is charged at the rate of £127.
Reports are based on our professional opinions. We are unable to change our professional opinions within a piece of work.
Our reports are provided in PDF format to ensure both the security of data and to safeguard against documents being altered changes will only be made should the unlikely event of an inaccuracy occur.
Sharing of information
Our consent form includes permission to share information with relevant professionals. Professionals usually include; education staff, GPs, therapists and other health professionals. Being able to share information supports a joined-up approach to support and knowledge.
Prices
We aim to be as transparent as possible with all our pricing please see our fees page for our most up-to-date pricing.
Specialist Teachers and Resilience Support Teaching Assistants (RESTA)
Prices for these services are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for a consultation and we will issue a quote accordingly.
Pricing for service level agreements will be agreed individually with each setting.
Complaints
We aim to provide a positive service at all times. We acknowledge that there may be times when someone is unhappy with the service that they have received. We are happy to deal with any complaints in person or on the phone at the first instance. If the complaint cannot be resolved satisfactorily then it can be raised in writing / email and will be reviewed and responded to by a Director within 7 days.
Service level agreements
We provide schools and education settings looking for regular psychological input with service level agreements. Invoices for any services will be sent at the start of each school term.
Service Level Agreements will require an online initial consultation with a psychologist priced at £127– to arrange an initial consultation please complete an enquiry form.
A service level agreement will have its own bespoke terms and conditions.
Professional standards
We’ll carry out our services in accordance within the standards expected of a HCPC practitioner psychologist. Our assistant psychologists also work towards the HCPC standards and receive appropriate supervision from both our team and a HCPC registered practitioner psychologist outside of Brimstone Psychology.