Terms and Conditions - Introduction

 

These Terms and Conditions apply to all dyslexia assessment services provided by Cara Mullins (“the Assessor”).

By booking an assessment, the parent, carer, or school or college (“the Client”) agrees to these Terms and Conditions.

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Services Provided

The Assessor provides assessments for dyslexia and related literacy difficulties. Assessments may include:

• Background information gathering

• Standardised testing

• Observation and discussion

• Written diagnostic report

• Recommendations for support and reasonable adjustments

 

Assessments are conducted in accordance with current professional standards and guidance from relevant organisations, including the British Psychological Society, British Dyslexia Association and The Dyslexia Guild, where applicable.

 

The assessment is not a medical diagnosis and does not constitute psychiatric, psychological, or medical advice.

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The assessment does not guarantee a diagnosis of dyslexia. 

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Eligibility for Assessment

The Client is responsible for ensuring that:

• Accurate background information and questionnaires are completed and provided to the Assessor no later than 7 days prior to the assessment. 

• Relevant educational reports are shared in advance.

• The individual being assessed is fit and well enough to complete testing.

 

The Assessor reserves the right to postpone an assessment if illness, distress, fatigue, or other circumstances are likely to affect or even invalidate the assessment results.

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Booking and Payment:

Fees

Assessment fees will be confirmed at the time of booking.

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Deposit

A non-refundable deposit of £150.00 will be required to secure the booking, and an invoice with payment facilities will be sent to the client once the booking is confirmed between the client and the Assessor.

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Payment Terms

Full payment must be received no later than 2 days before the assessment. If full payment is not received, the Assessor reserves the right to cancel the assessment booking. 

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Reports will not be released until payment has been received in full.

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Cancellation and Rescheduling

Cancellation by Client

• More than 14 days’ notice: full refund minus deposit

• 7–14 days’ notice: 50% of fee payable

• Less than 7 days’ notice: full fee payable

 

Non-Attendance

Failure to attend without notice may result in the full fee being charged.

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Cancellation by Assessor

If the Assessor must cancel due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, an alternative appointment or full refund will be offered.

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Assessment Reports

Timescale

Reports are usually issued within three weeks following the assessment.

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Use of Reports

The report is prepared solely for the named individual and intended purpose. It must not be altered, edited, or partially reproduced without written permission.

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Professional Opinion

Assessment findings represent the Assessor’s professional opinion based on information available at the time of assessment.

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Duty to Disclose Previous Assessments

The Client agrees to disclose any previous:

• dyslexia assessments,

• educational psychology reports,

• cognitive or diagnostic assessments,

• Exam Access Arrangement assessments,

• EHCP documentation,

• safeguarding information relevant to the assessment process,

• or other professional reports relevant to learning difficulties or disabilities.

 

Copies of relevant reports should be provided at least 7 days before the assessment date, wherever possible.

 

Failure to disclose relevant prior assessments or information may affect:

• the validity of the assessment findings,

• the recommendations made,

• eligibility for certain access arrangements or support,

• and the Assessor’s ability to provide an accurate professional opinion.

 

The Assessor accepts no responsibility for outcomes affected by incomplete or withheld information.

 

Intellectual Property

All assessment materials, scoring systems, written reports, recommendations, templates, and associated documentation produced by the Assessor remain the intellectual property of the Assessor unless otherwise stated.

 

Assessment reports are provided solely for the personal and educational use of the named individual, parent/carer, school, college, university, or commissioning body. Reports must not be:

• altered, edited, or amended;

• reproduced in part;

• published publicly;

• shared commercially; or

• used for training or marketing purposes

without the Assessor’s prior written consent.

 

Standardised assessment materials are protected by copyright and must not be copied, photographed, scanned, recorded, or distributed in any form.

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Exam Access Arrangements

Where an assessment is being commissioned to support an application for Examination Access Arrangements, the Client and/or school must provide the Assessor with a completed Form 8, Part 1, no later than 7 days prior to the assessment taking place.

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It is the responsibility of the school to ensure that Form 8, Part 1 has been fully completed and signed by the appropriate member of staff in accordance with current Joint Council for Qualifications regulations.

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Failure to provide the completed documentation before the assessment may result in:

• postponement of the assessment,

• delays in report completion,

• or the assessment not being suitable for supporting an application for Examination Access Arrangements.

 

The Assessor cannot guarantee that any school, examination board, college, university, or external body will approve specific access arrangements or funding applications, as final decisions remain with the relevant awarding body or institution.

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Confidentiality and Data Protection

The Assessor processes personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Information will be kept confidential except:

• Where consent has been given to share information

• Where disclosure is required by law

• Where safeguarding concerns arise

 

Assessment records and reports are stored securely for 7 years in line with professional guidance and insurance requirements.

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The completed assessment report will be provided to the Client following completion of the assessment and receipt of full payment.

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The report is supplied for the Client’s personal and educational use. Responsibility for sharing the report with relevant professionals, including school staff, SENCOs, teachers, examination officers, educational psychologists, medical professionals, colleges, universities, or other appropriate parties, rests with the Client.

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The Assessor will not routinely share reports or personal information with third parties.

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Reports or assessment information will only be disclosed by the Assessor where:

• written consent has been provided by the Client (or parent/carer where appropriate);

• disclosure is required by law;

• or there is a safeguarding concern requiring appropriate action.

 

Any consent to share information must clearly identify:

• the person or organisation to whom information may be disclosed; and

• the specific information to be shared.

 

Safeguarding

The Assessor has a duty to respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns involving children or vulnerable adults. Confidentiality may be breached where there is concern regarding safety or welfare.

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Limitation of Liability

The Assessor shall not be liable for:

• Decisions made by schools, colleges, universities, examination boards, or funding bodies

• Indirect or consequential losses arising from use of the report

• Outcomes dependent upon implementation of recommendations by third parties

Liability shall be limited to the amount paid for the assessment service.

 

Complaints Procedure

Any concerns regarding the assessment service should first be raised in writing within 30 days of receiving the report.

Complaints will be acknowledged within 5 working days and investigated within a reasonable timeframe.

If resolution cannot be reached, the Client may seek guidance from the Assessor’s professional body, where applicable.

Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales.

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Intellectual Property

All assessment materials, scoring systems, written reports, recommendations, templates, and associated documentation produced by the Assessor remain the intellectual property of the Assessor unless otherwise stated.

 

Assessment reports are provided solely for the personal and educational use of the named individual, parent/carer, school, college or commissioning body. Reports must not be:

• altered, edited, or amended;

• reproduced in part;

• published publicly;

• shared commercially; or

• used for training or marketing purposes

without the Assessor’s prior written consent.

 

Standardised assessment materials are protected by copyright and must not be copied, photographed, scanned, recorded, or distributed in any form.

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Travel Expenses for School Visits

Where assessments are carried out at schools, colleges, or other external venues, travel expenses may be charged in addition to the assessment fee.

 

Travel charges may include:

• mileage at £0.45 per mile,

• parking costs,

• congestion or toll charges,

• public transport costs where applicable,

• and reasonable travel time for locations beyond [distance] miles from the Assessor’s base.

 

Any applicable travel expenses will be agreed in advance wherever possible and confirmed at the time of booking.

If a school visit is cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice, any non-recoverable travel costs already incurred may still be charged.