Terms and Conditions
Introduction
These Terms and Conditions govern the provision of speech and language therapy services by Speech Connect Ltd, trading as Speech Connect. By engaging with our services, you agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to these terms, you must not use our services.
Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions: ‘Client’ refers to the individual, family, school, or organisation receiving services. ‘Therapist’ refers to the Speech Connect professional providing therapy. ‘Services’ refers to speech and language therapy sessions and any related support.
Scope of Services
Speech Connect provides speech and language therapy services directly to individuals, families, schools, and organisations. Services are tailored to client needs and delivered in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards.
Booking and Cancellation Policy
Appointments must be booked in advance.
Cancellations must be made via email to info@speechconnect.co.uk. You will receive written confirmation of your cancellation via email.
Cancellations or rescheduling appointments require at least 24 hours’ notice. In this case the session will be rearranged to a mutually convenient time.
Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice, or failure to attend the appointment are subject to the full fee of the appointment.
If two or more appointments are cancelled or missed, we may advise that any further work is put on hold until circumstances allow for regular attendance.
If the therapist is unable to attend an appointment, you will be informed as soon as possible. You will not be charged for the appointment, and the session will be rearranged to a mutually convenient time.
Fees and Payment Terms
Fees will be communicated prior to service commencement.
Late payments will result in suspension of services and may incur additional charges.
Fees are subject to review on a 6-month basis. You will receive at least 8 weeks’ notice of any fee increases and these will not apply to invoices that have been already issued or sessions that have been booked.
Please note that we do not accept cash or cheque payments for services.
For Individual clients:
- Initial assessment appointments must be paid for in advance to secure the booking.
- Therapy sessions will be invoiced prior to each session, or each block and payment will be due within 14 days of the invoice.
- All invoices will be sent electronically to the details held on file. It is the responsibility of the client to inform the service of any changes to personal contact information.
- Payment of an invoice is requested within 14 days of the invoice date. Failure to pay within this timeframe will result in suspension of services until this has been resolved.
- We do not provide services under health insurance policies. Clients using private health insurance are responsible for paying invoices and claiming from the insurance company concerned. We are not able to liaise directly with the insurance company.
For education settings and organisations:
- Following confirmation of a quotation for work, the setting will be sent a Service Level Agreement (SLA) which must be signed and returned before sessions can be booked.
- Sessions are booked in advance, and invoices are sent annually or termly.
- Payment of the invoice is expected within 21 days of receipt of the invoice. If the invoice is not paid, the therapist will cease input until this has been resolved.
- Where a Service Level Agreement is in place, its terms take precedence in the event of conflict with these general Terms.
Reports, Letters and Administrative Tasks:
Speech Connect may provide written reports, programmes, therapy summaries, letters, or other documentation as part of the service.
- Fees for reports or written documents will be communicated in advance and are based on the time required to complete them.
- Preparation time for therapy (e.g., resource creation, planning, liaison) may be chargeable where it exceeds what is typically included in a standard session.
- Chargeable administrative tasks include (but are not limited to) extended email correspondence, meetings with other professionals, or lengthy phone calls that are not part of a scheduled session.
- All fees for written work or additional administrative tasks will be invoiced separately unless included within a Service Level Agreement.
Travel and Mileage Fees:
Where therapy is delivered outside a 10 mile radius of the therapists’ base, travel fees may apply.
- Travel time and mileage may be charged depending on the location and distance.
- Mileage will be charged at the rate communicated at the time-of-service agreement (commonly aligned with HMRC approved mileage rates).
- Any parking, congestion charges, or other unavoidable travel-related costs will be added to the invoice.
- All travel related fees will be communicated in advance and confirmed within quotations or Service Level Agreements where applicable.
Confidentiality and Data Protection
We are committed to protecting the privacy of our clients. Speech Connect complies with GDPR and relevant data protection laws. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for full details on how we handle your data. This can be found on our website.
Safeguarding
Speech Connect is committed to promoting the safety and wellbeing of all clients.
All therapists hold an enhanced DBS check and follow relevant safeguarding legislation and professional guidelines.
If a therapist has concerns about the safety or welfare of a child or vulnerable adult, they have a legal and professional duty to act. This may include sharing information with appropriate safeguarding bodies or professionals, in accordance with safeguarding legislation and the Speech Connect Safeguarding Policy.
Whenever possible, concerns will be discussed with the client or their parent/carer before information is shared, unless doing so would increase risk.
Professional Conduct
All our therapists are registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and abide by the guidelines set out by these professional bodies.
Clients must provide accurate information and actively participate in therapy sessions to achieve the best outcomes.
Clients are expected to engage respectfully and cooperatively during sessions. Disruptive, aggressive or abusive behaviour will result in termination of services.
Liability Disclaimer
While Speech Connect adheres to professional standards, outcomes cannot be guaranteed. The service holds appropriate insurance policies as required by law.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from the use of our Services.
Service Limitations
Speech Connect provides therapy services and does not offer medical diagnosis. Where appropriate, referrals to other professionals may be recommended.
Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Termination of Services
Either party may terminate services with reasonable notice, clients must inform Speech Connect via email at info@speechconnect.co.uk. Speech Connect reserves the right to terminate services for non-compliance with these terms or non-payment or if we believe it is in the best interest of the client.
Complaints
We hope that any complaints about the services provided by Speech Connect Ltd can be resolved by communicating directly with us. If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service provided, please contact Andrea McCloskey (Director) to discuss your concerns.
If we are unable to resolve the difficulty, then you can take your concern to the Association of Speech & Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP) http://www.helpwithtalking.com/Complaint-Policy
For serious issues you may also contact the Health Professions Council:
https://www.hcpc-uk.org/concerns/raising-concerns/
Questions
Any questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Director of Speech Connect Ltd:
Name: Andrea McCloskey
Email: info@speechconnect.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0) 7379 100 043