Terms and Conditions of Service

Effective from: 20th October 2025
Business name: Step By Step Home Ed
Contact: StepByStepHomeEd@gmail.com

1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions outline the agreement between Step By Step Home Ed (“the Consultant”, “I”, or “me”) and the Client (“you” or “the parent/carer”) regarding the provision of educational consultancy services for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) who are electively home educated.

By booking or using the offered services, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.

2. Services Provided

I provide educational consultancy services designed to support parents and carers of children with SEN who are home educated. Services may include:

  • Initial consultation (online or by phone)

  • Assessment of learning needs and interests

  • Creation of a Personal Learning Plan

  • Review of progress and updated targets at agreed intervals

  • Resource packs available to purchase following a Personal Learning Plan

I do not provide registered tuition, therapy, or diagnostic assessments. My role is to offer educational advice, guidance, and planning support.

3. Booking and Payment

  • All services must be booked in advance.

  • Payment is due at time of booking.

  • Once the Personal Learning Plan has been completed, it cannot be refunded.

  • When booking a Full Consultation as a stand alone service, you have 2 weeks to initiate a Personal Learning Plan (booked and paid for online). Requests after 2 weeks will require an additional Full Consultation.

  • Prices are listed on this website and may be updated from time to time.

4. Cancellations and Rescheduling

  • If you need to cancel or reschedule a session, please provide at least 24 hours notice.

  • Consultations cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice may not be refunded in full.

  • Following the Consultation, you have 24 hours to notify us of any cancellation or termination of services. After this period you will not be refunded for any services for the work completed.

  • Rescheduling by Step By Step Home Ed due to illness or emergency, will result in a new date being offered at no additional cost.

5. Client Responsibilities

  • Parents/carers are responsible for the child’s education and any implementation of the Personal Learning Plan.

  • You agree to provide accurate and honest information about your child’s needs, abilities, and educational history.

  • You are responsible for ensuring that online meetings take place in a safe, private space.

  • 6. Consultant Responsibilities

  • Step By Step Home Ed will provide services with reasonable skill, care, and professionalism.

  • Step By Step Home Ed will maintain appropriate confidentiality and comply with data protection laws (see section 8).

  • Step By Step Home Ed will communicate clearly and honestly about your child’s progress and recommendations.

  • Step By Step Home Ed are not responsible for educational outcomes or results, as these depend on multiple factors beyond my control.

7. Reviews and Reports

  • Written reports, learning plans, and progress reviews are for your personal use and must not be copied, sold, or distributed without permission.

  • All materials remain the intellectual property of Step By Step Home Ed, unless agreed otherwise in writing.

8. Data Protection and Confidentiality

  • Step By Step Home Ed collect and store personal information (such as names, contact details, and educational information) securely and in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

  • Information is used only for the purpose of providing consultancy services.

  • No personal information will be shared with third parties without your explicit consent, unless required by law or safeguarding obligations.

9. Safeguarding

  • As an education professional, Step By Step Home Ed have a duty to report safeguarding concerns where a child’s welfare may be at risk.

  • Any such disclosures will be handled sensitively and in accordance with statutory guidance.

10. Use of AI Tools for Recording and Transcription

Purpose
Step By Step Home Ed may use secure, AI-based tools (such as transcription or note-taking software) during online or phone consultations to help record key discussion points accurately and produce written notes or reports.
The purpose of this is to:

  • Support accurate record-keeping

  • Reduce errors in written reports

  • Allow me to focus on the conversation rather than manual note-taking

Consent

  • Step By Step Home Ed will always ask for your consent before using any recording or AI transcription tool during a consultation.

  • You may decline consent, and the session can proceed without AI assistance (in this case, only manual notes will be taken).

Data Handling

  • Recordings and transcripts are treated as confidential and stored securely in accordance with UK GDPR.

  • AI tools used are carefully selected to meet data protection standards (e.g. encrypted storage, no third-party data sharing, compliance with UK/EU privacy laws).

  • Recordings will only be used for transcription and note-taking, then deleted within 14 days once notes have been finalised.

  • Transcripts and reports will not be shared with anyone without your written consent, unless required by law or safeguarding duties.

Withdrawal of Consent

  • You may withdraw consent for recording or AI transcription at any time.

  • If consent is withdrawn, any recordings already made will be deleted immediately.

  • If consent is withdrawn after a consultation but before your Personal Learning Plan has been completed, this may affect the accuracy or completion of those documents due to limited records.

  • Each case will be considered on an individual basis, and alternative options (such as an additional discussion or written clarification) will be discussed with you.

Your Rights

  • You have the right to refuse the use of AI transcription.

  • You may request access to any notes or transcripts relating to your consultation.

  • You have the right to ask questions about how your data is used and stored at any time.

  • You may withdraw consent for recording or AI transcription at any time.

11. Limitation of Liability

  • While every effort is made to provide high-quality, accurate advice, Step By Step Home Ed cannot guarantee specific educational outcomes.

  • Step By Step Home Ed is not liable for any indirect or consequential loss arising from the use of my services or materials.

12. Termination of Services

  • Either party may end the service arrangement with reasonable notice (normally one week) in writing.

  • Any outstanding fees for completed work remain payable.

  • Any aggressive or explicit behaviour during consultations will lead to an immediate termination of services.

13. Complaints Procedure

If you have a concern or complaint, please contact me in writing at StepByStepHomeEd@gmail.com.
Step By Step Home Ed aim to respond within 10 working days and resolve issues fairly and promptly.

14. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

Acknowledgement

By booking or purchasing a service, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.