TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

Legal Terms of Offer

In accepting the Family Separation Clinic’s offer of video based online courses, workshops or group support, you accept that the service is governed by English Law irrespective of the country in which you are based. Any disputes or disagreements arising from the provision of services under the terms of this engagement will be dealt with accordingly.

 

Our offer of such services to clients outside of the UK may be restricted due to considerations including legal, regulatory and privacy concerns.

 

Privacy

The Family Separation Clinic offers online courses, workshops and group support via ZOOM or other such platforms agreed between the Clinic and client. Please familiarise yourself with the technical information provided by the relevant platform to prepare for the session.

 

Although the Family Separation Clinic aims to provide the highest practical levels of client confidentiality, we regret we are unable to guarantee complete confidentiality under all circumstances as the online platforms we use are owned and managed by parties other than ourselves. Monitoring or intrusion by state agencies or by computer service providers operating under state direction may in certain jurisdictions pose a threat to client confidentiality.

 

Computer systems are typically designed to share information with others and often ask you to trade convenience for confidentiality. If you are concerned about your privacy we would suggest that you only use private secured networks when possible and avoid shared connections. Turn off or disable any unnecessary applications, particularly those that may frequently connect to the internet and ensure that your computer is regularly checked for computer viruses and spyware.

 

Further information about online security can be found on the Information Commissioners Office, Website https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/online/

 

You have the right to privacy and confidentiality from the group facilitators and other group members. Confidentiality within the group setting is a shared responsibility of all members and facilitators. While group facilitators may not disclose any client communications or information except as provided by law (please see Limits on Confidentiality, below), group members’ communications are not protected. As such, confidentiality within the group setting is often based on mutual trust and respect. As a member of a group, you agree not to disclose to anyone outside the group any information that may help to identify another group member. This includes, but is not limited to, names, physical descriptions, biological information, and specifics to the content of interactions with other group members. The Family Separation Clinic does not accept liability for the actions of other group members.

 

We recommend that you participate in any group work from a private setting to ensure conversations are not overheard. In the event that the facilitator deems the setting to not be sufficiently private, participation may be suspended or terminated and fees may still be due. Unauthorised digital or analogue recording of sessions will be considered a breach of this service agreement.

 

Confidentiality

The Family Separation Clinic is committed to ensuring that the confidence of service users in its services is fostered through an explicit policy on confidentiality. The handling of information that parents provide complies with Common Law and with the requirements of the Data Protection Act and is not shared with anyone outside of the Family Separation Clinic unless the service user has given permission for it to be shared or there are strong public interest concerns, for example child protection (see Limits on Confidentiality). In general, any information that is given in confidence by you, will not be shared with anyone outside of the Family Separation Clinic without your written permission. Information about you may be shared with other staff members as necessary. If it becomes necessary to refer you to another service, we will ask for your consent before sharing relevant information with another agency or individual.

 

Limits on Confidentiality:

There may be times when our facilitator feels it is not possible to keep the confidentiality agreement. This will only happen in special circumstances where they feel it is absolutely necessary. Whenever possible they or a member of the staff team will talk to you before this happens. You expressly consent to us transferring information in the following circumstances:

 

• where we are required to as part of a court ordered or court based process;

• where we are legally compelled to do so;

• where we have reason to believe that someone, especially a child, is at risk of harm;

• where there is a duty to the public to disclose;

• where disclosure is permitted by law and required to protect our interest;

• where disclosure is made at your request or with your consent.

 

In addition, when you expressly consent, we may transfer information when we consult with other professionals.

 

If you have any questions about confidentiality you may discuss them with your group facilitator.

 

Access to Your Data

The Family Separation Clinic is registered with the information commissioner and all personal data is processed and maintained in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

 

Fees

Fees will be advertised prior to your participation in any group work.

 

Process of Payment

Fees are payable in advance of each session through the secure PayPal online payment system and can be paid by credit or debit cards or by a PayPal account. Payment via bank transfer or other method may be available where required. However, this may incur additional costs which will be agreed in advance.

 

Failure to show

We reserve the right to retain fees, in full, for missed sessions.

 

Facilitator unavailability

If, due to unexpected illness, planned holidays or service necessity, your facilitator is not available, we will not charge you and the pre-paid fees will be credited against your next session or, where appropriate, refunded.

 

Technical Problems

Should either party experience technical difficulties, we both endeavour to email straight away and/or try to reconnect online as soon as possible. If, overall, more than 15 minutes of the session has not occurred due to technical problems in our systems or connectivity, we will offer to supplement this time, and if this is not possible, we will agree a reduced rate for that session in proportion to the service received.

 

Acceptance

Use of services provided by the Family Separation Clinic implies acceptance of these terms.