In addition to these terms and conditions our Privacy Policy (which describes how We may use Your personal information) also applies.
Conditions applicable to everyone who registers with, visits, or uses a service via My Family Care's Work+Family Space
1. The Work+Family Space and the various back-up childcare and eldercare services that are accessible through the Work+Family Space are run and administered by My Family Care Limited ("MFC") or a company in the same group of companies as MFC (any such company being an "Affiliate"). In these conditions of use "We" or "Us" refers to MFC and / or any Affiliate, and "our" refers to something belonging to Us. The Work+Family Space is referred to as the "Website". MFC's registered office is at Pioneer House, 7 Rushmills, Northampton, NN4 7YB. You can contact us at by telephone: 0345 241 5306; or by email: support@myfamilycare.co.uk.
2. By using the Website, including but not limited to, contacting us through it, the user ("You") agrees and accepts these terms and conditions ("Terms of Use") and You agree to comply with them. In these Terms of Use "your" refers to something belonging to You. If You do not agree these Terms of Use you must not use the Website. If You make a booking through the Website additional terms will apply depending on the type of care or education service that You book.
These Terms of Use are a legally binding contract between You and Us. You agree only to use our Website for domestic use (which for the avoidance of doubt includes the booking of child and / or elder care for your dependents whilst You are working) and not for any commercial and business purpose. Accordingly we have no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption or loss of business opportunity. We are not responsible for claims brought by third parties arising from your use of the Website or services available through it. However we do not exclude or limit our liability to you in anyway where it would be unlawful to do so. This includes liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence and for fraud or fraudulent representation. Please also refer to the terms relating to any service you book through the Website.
3. You accept that even when you have contacted Us, and are using the services, via an employer sponsored Website, that you are contracting with us, and your employer is not responsible for any part of the service provided.
Access, Modifications and alterations to the Website
4. We may make changes or corrections, alter, suspend or discontinue any aspect of the Website, the content or services or products available through it. Unless explicitly stated to the contrary, any new features including new content, our provision of new products or services, or resources shall be subject to these Terms of Use. We may stop your access to the Website if (1) you do not comply with these Terms of Use or any terms relating to any service you may book through the Website, or (2) if your employer advises Us that You should no longer have access to the Website, or (3) if our agreement to provide the Website with your employer is terminated for any reason. Any booking made through the Website will be honoured subject the terms relating specifically to that booking (unless our agreement with your employer is terminated in such a manner which means that all future bookings are cancelled).
5. We may suspend or withdraw or restrict the availability of all or any part of the Website for business and operational reasons. We will try to give You reasonable notice any suspension or withdrawal.
Security
6. You are solely responsible in all respects for all use of, and for protecting the confidentiality of, any email verification number and / or password that may be given to You or selected by You for use on the Website. You must not share either of these with, or transfer them to, anyone else. You must notify Us immediately of any unauthorised use of them or any other breach of security regarding the Website which comes to your attention.
7. You are responsible for ensuring that all details You provide to Us in connection with any services or products which may be offered by Us on or via the Website are correct and you must ensure that you promptly notify us of any changes to those details.
Content on Website
8. The Website is directed to people residing in the United Kingdom and / or Eire. We do not represent that the content available on or through our Website is appropriate for use or available in other locations.
9. We are the owner or the licensee of all intellectual property rights in our Website, and in the material published on it (unless it is specifically attributed to a third party, when that third party is the owner or the licensee of it). All works are protected by copyright laws and treaties around the world. All such rights are reserved. You must not modify any copies of any materials you download, or print off, from the Website in anyway.
10. Please note that the Website may contain typographical errors or other inaccuracies. Although we make reasonable efforts to update the information on our Website, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content on our Website is accurate, complete or up to date.
11. The content on our Website is for general guidance on your rights and responsibilities and is not legal advice, or recommendation of action to be taken. If you need more details on your rights or legal advice about what action to take, please contact an appropriate adviser or solicitor.
Third Party Content and Links to Third Party Websites
12. Where we distribute content identified as supplied by third parties we are a distributor and not a publisher of such information. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties are those of the authors or distributors and not of Us.
13. Where our Website contains links to other websites the use of those websites and any services provided from them will be governed by separate terms and conditions, and we have no responsibility for, or control over, the content of those websites, the terms and conditions applicable to their use or the terms relating to any services provided via those websites. If You wish to follow those links and use the offers advertised as being available through those links We do not have any liability to You for your use of such websites.
Use of virtual providers
14. Where You use a virtual provider whether through our Website or via a third party provider You should consider the following:
- The environment should be quiet and free from distractions
- The background (and foreground) must be appropriate; please be mindful of what is visible behind your child /in front of your child)
- None of the "fun" backgrounds available in video calling applications should be used
- All participants must be in their daytime clothes in a family room (not a bedroom)
- An adult must always be present in the room at the beginning of the session and then as agreed with Providers
- Sessions can be accessed via audio (without video) if preferred
- Muting the microphone other than when the child is asked to contribute.
Also please remind your dependents that they should not share Personal information, like names, emails, phone numbers, location, photographs and school names about themselves or anyone else.
Governing Law
15. These Terms of Use, their subject matter and their formation, are governed by English law. You and We both agree that the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction except that if you are a resident of Northern Ireland you may also bring proceedings in Northern Ireland, and if you are resident of Scotland, you may also bring proceedings in Scotland, and if you are resident of Eire, you may also bring proceedings in Eire.
Speak to an Expert
In addition to these terms our Privacy Policy also applies.
1. These terms and conditions shall apply to the use of the Speak to an Expert service. These terms and conditions are referred to as the "Speak to an Expert Terms" and form a legally binding contract between Us and the person making the request for, and using, the Speak to the Expert service ("You"). The Terms of Use of the Website also apply to the use of the Speak to an Expert service, and are deemed to be incorporated into the Speak to an Expert Terms. Words defined in the Terms of Use have the same meaning in the Speak to an Expert Terms.
2. If You request to use Speak to an Expert we will put You in touch with a person (who may be an employee of Us, or third party affiliate) who will use their reasonable endeavours to provide appropriate advice and suggest solutions. If necessary, We will send you relevant information / factsheets as part of the service.
3. The information provided by the Speak to an Expert service is for general guidance on your rights and responsibilities and is not legal advice, or recommendation of action to be taken. If you need more details on your rights or legal advice about what action to take, please contact an appropriate adviser or solicitor.
4. You may use the Speak to an Expert service for a maximum of three calls per topic.
Terms of booking a NANNY
In addition to these terms our Privacy Policy also applies.
1. These terms and conditions shall apply to all back-up care nanny bookings ("In-Home Childcare") made via the Website or contact centre referred to on the Website. These terms and conditions are referred to as the "In-Home Childcare Terms" and form a legally binding contract between Us and the person making the booking ("You"). The Terms of Use of the Website also apply to the booking, and are deemed to be incorporated into the In-Home Childcare Terms, except to the extent the In-Home Childcare Terms conflict with the Terms of Use, in which case the In-Home Childcare Terms take precedence over the Terms of Use. Words defined in the Terms of Use have the same meaning in the In-Home Childcare Terms.
2. A booking of In-Home Childcare by You amounts to acceptance by You of the In-Home Childcare Terms. The term "Provider" means the In-Home Childcare provider supplying the nanny, whether MFC, an Affiliate, or a third-party provider. The term "Nanny" means a person whose services are supplied by the Provider to You for temporary In-Home Childcare.
3. If you change your mind about requiring a Nanny you have 14 days following the date of the booking to cancel the booking (the "Cancellation Period"). Subject to clause 4 below if you do wish to cancel within the Cancellation Period you must let us know by email to cancellation@myfamilycare.co.uk providing the following details: the date of your booking, your name and address. To meet the cancellation deadline, you must send us the notice of your cancellation before the Cancellation Period has expired. We will not provide a Nanny during the Cancellation Period unless you ask us to do so.
4. Please note that if you do require us to provide In-Home Childcare during the Cancellation Period the fee for the period the Nanny has worked is payable by You (or your employer, as applicable).
5. Subject to clause 6 fees for the In-Home Childcare are payable by You on booking In-Home Childcare, whether verbally or via the Website. You undertake that, where applicable, the credit or debit card which You use is your own and that there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of any bookings you wish to make. We reserve the right to obtain validation of your credit or debit card details before completing the transaction and so the booking.
6. If You use the service via a corporate branded Website then fees due to Us for providing the Website service to You are paid by your employer although this may be subject to a co-payment by you as detailed on the Website.
7. You agree to verify and sign the Provider's timesheet for each Nanny provided. Nannies provided directly by MFC or an Affiliate may confirm their hours electronically. Signature of such timesheets by You confirms that the Nanny has worked satisfactorily for the hours indicated on the timesheet, but if you do not sign the timesheet this does not mean the Nanny has not properly provided the services booked.
8. The Provider endeavours to provide You with only the most suitable Nanny, having performed all checks required by law. However when the Nanny arrives you should ensure you believe the Nanny is suitable for your specific circumstances. If the Nanny arrives to commence the booking and You decide in your reasonable opinion that the Nanny is unsuitable and does not commence providing the Services then the Provider may in its absolute discretion decide to waive all or part of the fee due. You must tell the Provider immediately if the Nanny does not commence providing the Services.
9. You are responsible for ensuring that your home contents insurance includes cover for Public Liability and Employers Liability for domestic workers, including child carers.
10. You must tell your Nanny about all medicine that you require the Nanny to administer to your children and You must complete any information forms and questionnaires that the Provider asks you to complete before the Nanny provides the In-Home Care.
11. You must disclose at the time of a booking whether your children have any contagious illnesses or conditions (such as high temperature, vomiting, diarrhoea, chicken pox, hand, foot and mouth, norovirus, impetigo etc.). You must keep Us and the Provider updated if this changes. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel the booking if the Provider deems it necessary to protect the Nanny and / or any other children the Nanny cares for on a regular basis. If You do not disclose such illnesses, and the Nanny discovers the conditions on arriving for the booking, the Nanny can refuse to fulfil the booking. There will be no refund to You (or your employer, as applicable) in this situation.
12. You are liable for the Provider's fees if You use the Nanny other than for the booking You have made via the Website.
13. It is your responsibility to notify the Provider of any extra work You offer to a Nanny. If a Nanny returns to You at a future date (other than via a separate booking using the Website or contact centre), or if a booking is extended, then You must pay the appropriate additional fee of the Provider. Fees are also payable by You on the acceptance, either verbally or in writing, by a Nanny of a permanent position with You. The fees will be the permanent finding fee of the Provider at the time. Should any engagement or re-engagement occur without notification to the Provider by You, the full permanent fee will be charged to You irrespective of the length of employment.
14. If You decide to end the booking earlier than originally booked, a charge will still be made for the hours booked but not used.
15. In addition to your rights under clauses 3 and 8 of the In-Home Childcare Terms a booking may be cancelled without charge up to 2 working days before the booking is due to start at no cost to You, on a 'per day' basis. To cancel you must email Us at cancellation@myfamilycare.co.uk. If a booking is cancelled within 2 working days of the booking's commencement then:
- For 1 day bookings, 4 hours plus VAT where applicable will be charged
- For 2 day or longer bookings, 8 hours plus VAT where applicable will be charged.
16. You must meet any transport costs that may be incurred by the Nanny and child(ren) during the course of the booking. Generally the Nanny will seek to use public transport. If You require the Nanny to drive your car or his / her own car during the course of a booking, please let Us know as the Provider may require You to sign a separate schedule setting out the arrangements. If you require the Nanny to drive your car, You are responsible for ensuring that You have the appropriate business car insurance in place prior to the booking's commencement.
17. If You require the Nanny to drive his / her own car during the course of a booking You must advise us of this at the time of Booking. You are responsible for ensuring that appropriate child seats are provided and that the Nanny has free parking, or parking paid for by you, available for the duration of the booking.
Terms of booking a NURSERY or CHILDMINDER
In addition to these terms our Privacy Policy also applies.
1. These terms and conditions shall apply to all back-up care nursery and / or childminder (referred to as "In-Centre Childcare") bookings made via the Website or contact centre referred to on the Website. These terms and conditions are referred to as the "In-Centre Childcare Terms" and form a legally binding contract between Us and the person making the booking ("You"). The Terms of Use of the Website also apply to the booking, and are deemed to be incorporated into the In-Centre Childcare Terms, except to the extent the In-Centre Childcare Terms conflict with the Terms of Use, in which case the In-Centre Childcare Terms take precedence over the Terms of Use. Words defined in the Terms of Use have the same meaning in the In-Centre Childcare Terms.
2. A booking of In-Centre Childcare by You amounts to acceptance by You of the In-Centre Childcare Terms. The term "Provider" means the In-Centre Childcare provider, whether MFC, an Affiliate or a third-party provider.
3. If you change your mind about requiring In-Centre Childcare you have 14 days following the date of the booking to cancel the booking (the "Cancellation Period"). Subject to clause 4 below if you do wish to cancel within the Cancellation Period you must let us know by email to cancellation@myfamilycare.co.uk providing the following details: the date of your booking, your name and address. To meet the cancellation deadline, you must send us the notice of your cancellation before the Cancellation Period has expired. We will not provide In-Centre Childcare during the Cancellation Period unless you ask us to do so.
4. Please note that if you do require In-Centre Childcare during the Cancellation Period the fee for that In-Centre Childcare is payable by You (or your employer, as applicable).
5. Subject to clause 6 fees for the In-Centre Childcare are payable by You on booking In-Centre Childcare, whether verbally or via the Website. You undertake that that, where applicable, the credit or debit card which You use is your own and that there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of any bookings you wish to make. We reserve the right to obtain validation of your credit or debit card details before completing the transaction and the booking.
6. If You use the service via a corporate branded site then fees due to Us for providing the Website service to You are paid by your employer, although this may be subject to a co-payment by you as detailed on the Website.
7. You must adhere to the rules and policies set in place by each Provider. If You have a query about any aspect of a Provider's rules and / or policies You should contact the Provider directly.
8. You acknowledge and accept that the final decision to book a nursery or childminder place is the sole responsibility of You. All nurseries will be registered with the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and all childminders with the National Childminding Association (or equivalent bodies).
9. Please note, that all Providers reserve the right to decline entry to any child they deem unsuitable. The definition of "unsuitable" will vary between nurseries and childminders, and if You require clarification of exactly what is meant by "unsuitable" please check with the specific nursery or with the childminder directly. It is very unlikely that an ill child will be able to attend any In-Centre Childcare (although fees will still be due unless cancelled in accordance with clause 11).
10. It is our arrangement with the Providers that, if an In-Centre Childcare place is advertised, bookings must be honoured. However it is the Providers' responsibility to keep the Website updated with any developments and We work on the proviso that all information provided by the Providers is correct. If the unlikely situation does arise that the advertised In-Centre Childcare place cannot be honoured for any reason, then We will offer You a full refund (or not charge your employer, as applicable). Such a refund is our only liability to you in this circumstance.
11. In addition to your rights in clause 3 if You would like to cancel your nursery or childminder place you must email Us at cancellation@myfamilycare.co.uk at least 2 working days before the booking was due to commence to obtain a full refund. If You cancel the nursery or childminder space within the 2 working days You (or your employer) will be liable to a 100% cancellation charge.
Terms of booking a SCHOOL HOLIDAY CLUB
In addition to these terms our Privacy Policy also applies.
1. These terms and conditions shall apply to all back-up school holiday club and out of school club (referred to as "Holiday Club") bookings made via the Website or contact centre referred to on the Website. These terms and conditions are referred to as the "Holiday Club Terms" and form a legally binding contract between Us and the person making the booking ("You"). The Terms of Use of the Website also apply to the booking, and are deemed to be incorporated into the Holiday Club Terms, except to the extent the Holiday Club Terms conflict with the Terms of Use, in which case the Holiday Club Terms take precedence over the Terms of Use. Words defined in the Terms of Use have the same meaning in the Holiday Club Terms.
2. A Holiday Club booking by You amounts to acceptance by You of the Holiday Club Terms. The term "Provider" means the Holiday Club provider, whether MFC, an Affiliate or a third-party provider.
3. If you change your mind about requiring the Holiday Club you have 14 days following the date of the booking to cancel the booking (the "Cancellation Period"). Subject to clause 4 below if you do wish to cancel within the Cancellation Period you must let us know by email to you must email Us at cancellation@myfamilycare.co.uk providing the following details: the date of your booking, your name and address. To meet the cancellation deadline, you must send us the notice of your cancellation before the Cancellation Period has expired. We will not provide back up holiday club access during the Cancellation Period unless you ask us to do so.
4. Please note that if you do require the Holiday Club during the Cancellation Period the fee for Holiday Club is payable by You (or your employer, as applicable).
5. Subject to clause 6 fees for the Holiday Club are payable by You on the booking, either verbally or via the Website. You undertake that the credit or debit card which You use is your own and that there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of any services or products which You wish to purchase. We reserve the right to obtain validation of your credit or debit card details before completing the transaction and the booking.
6. If You use the service via a corporate branded site then fees due to Us for providing the Website service to You are paid by your employer, although this may be subject to a co-payment by you as detailed on the Website.
7. You must adhere to the rules and policies set in place by each Provider. If You have a query about any aspect of a Provider's rules and / or policies You should contact the Provider directly.
8. You acknowledge and accept that the final decision to book a Holiday Club place is the sole responsibility of You.
9. Please note, that all Providers reserve the right to decline entry to any child they deem unsuitable. The definition of "unsuitable" will vary between Providers, and if You require clarification of exactly what is meant by "unsuitable" please check with the specific Provider directly. It is very unlikely that an ill child will be able to attend any Holiday Club (although fees will still be due unless cancelled in accordance with clause 11).
10. It is our arrangement with the Providers that if a Holiday Club place is advertised bookings must be honoured. However it is the Providers' responsibility to keep the Website updated with any developments and We work on the proviso that all information provided by the Providers is correct. If the unlikely situation does arise that the advertised Holiday Club place cannot be honoured for any reason, then We will offer You a full refund (or not charge your employer as applicable). Such a refund is our only liability to you in this circumstance.
11. In addition to your rights in clause 3 if You would like to cancel your nursery or childminder place you must email Us at cancellation@myfamilycare.co.uk at least 2 working days before the booking was due to commence to obtain a full refund. If You cancel the nursery or childminder space within the 2 working days You (or your employer, as applicable) will be liable to a 100% cancellation charge.
Terms of booking a HOME CARER
In addition to these terms our Privacy Policy also applies.
1. These terms and conditions shall apply to all back up adult home care (referred to as "In-Home Adult Care") bookings made via the Website or contact centre referred to on the Website. These terms and conditions are referred to as the "In-Home Adult Care Terms" and form a legally binding contract between Us and the person making the booking ("You"). The Terms of Use of the Website also apply to the booking, and are deemed to be incorporated into the In-Home Adult Care Terms, except to the extent the In-Home Adult Care Terms conflict with the Terms of Use, in which case the In-Home Adult Care Terms take precedence over the Terms of Use. Words defined in the Terms of Use have the same meaning in the In-Home Adult Care Terms.
2. In-Home Adult Care booked by You amounts to acceptance by You of the In-Home Adult Care Terms. The term "Provider" means the In-Home Adult Care provider supplying the carer(s), whether MFC, an Affiliate or a third-party provider. The term "Carer" means a person or people whose services are supplied by the Provider to You for temporary In-Home Adult Care.
3. If you change your mind about requiring the In-Home Adult Care you have 14 days following the date of the booking to cancel the booking (the "Cancellation Period"). Subject to clause 4 below if you do wish to cancel within the Cancellation Period you must let us by email to cancellation@myfamilycare.co.uk providing the following details: the date of your booking, your name and address. To meet the cancellation deadline, you must send us the notice of your cancellation before the Cancellation Period has expired. We will not provide a Carer during the Cancellation Period unless you ask us to do so.
4. Please note that if you do require the In-Home Adult Care during the Cancellation Period the fee for In-Home Care is payable by You (or your employer, as applicable).
5. Subject to clause 6 fees for the In-Home Adult Care are payable by You on booking In-Home Adult Care, whether verbally or via the Website. You undertake that, where applicable, the credit or debit card which You use is your own and that there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of any bookings you wish to make. We reserve the right to obtain validation of your credit or debit card details before completing the transaction and the booking.
6. If You use the service via a corporate branded site then fees due to Us for providing the Website service to You are paid by your employer although this may be subject to a co-payment by you as detailed on the Website.
7. You agree to verify and sign the Provider's timesheet for each Carer if provided. Signature of such timesheets by You constitutes acceptance that the Carer(s) has/have worked satisfactorily for the hours indicated on the timesheet but if you do not sign the timesheet this does not mean the Carer has not properly provided the services booked.
8. The Provider endeavours to provide You with only the most suitable Carers, having performed all checks required by law. However when Carers arrive you should ensure you believe each Carer is suitable for your specific circumstances. If a Carer arrives to commence the booking and You decide in your reasonable opinion that the Carer is unsuitable and does not commence providing the Services then the Provider may in its absolute discretion decide to waive all or part of the fee due. You must tell the Provider immediately if the Carer does not commence providing the Services.
9. You are responsible for ensuring that your home contents insurance includes cover for Public Liability and Employers Liability for domestic workers, including Carers.
10. You must tell the Carer about all medicine that you require the Carer to administer and You must complete any information forms and questionnaires that the Provider asks you to complete before the Carer provides the services.
11. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel the booking if the Provider deems it necessary to protect the Carer and / or any other individuals the Carer cares for on a regular basis.
12. You are liable for the Provider's fees if You use the Carer other than for the booking You have made via the Website (or contact centre referred to on the Website).
13. It is your responsibility to notify the Provider of any extra work offered to a Carer. If a Carer returns to You (or your dependent) at a future date (other than via a separate booking using the Website or contact centre), or if a temporary engagement is extended, then You must pay the appropriate additional fee of the Provider. If You (or your dependent) decides to end the booking earlier than originally booked, a charge will still be made for the hours booked but not used.
14. In addition to your rights under clauses 3 and 8 of the In-Home Adult Care Terms a booking may be cancelled without charge up to 2 working days before the booking is due to start at no cost to You. To cancel you must email Us at cancellation@myfamilycare.co.uk. If a booking is cancelled within 2 working days of the booking's commencement then 100% of the fee will be charged, at the Provider's discretion.
Terms of Care Choices
Using the Care Choices service
We will provide the Care Choices service for You in relation to your child, adult or elder care needs on these terms and conditions. By using Us to help with your care needs You are deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions and be bound by them.
How we help You
1. Your Care Choices
1.1. When You make a request we will put You in touch with an appropriate MFC consultant who will reach out to set up a 60 min call with you. The call will usually be within 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday (excluding bank holidays). We will cover details such as type of care required, location of care, days and times required, budget, key dates such as return to work or when care is needed, target dates such as advertising dates and any special requirements. The consultant will use their reasonable endeavours to provide appropriate advice, signpost resources and suggest solutions. If necessary, we will send you relevant information / factsheets as part of the service.
1.2. The information provided by our consultants is for general guidance on your rights and responsibilities and is not legal or medical advice, or recommendation of action to be taken. If you need more details on your rights or legal advice about what action to take, please contact an adviser or solicitor. To the fullest extent permitted by law MFC will not accept liability for any loss, damage or inconvenience arising as a consequence of any use of the advice provided by Care Choices, or the use of any information on this website. MFC are not responsible for claims brought by third parties arising from your use of our website or services
1.3. Where we distribute content supplied by third parties we are a distributor and not a publisher of such information. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties are those of the authors or distributors and not of Us. Advice given by us via the Care Choices service does not represent any kind of recommendation and You should always take further advice/make up your own mind as appropriate.
1.4. Once your case has been completed we will send You a questionnaire to complete. We very much appreciate if You could give us feedback on our service to ensure we continue to provide a high level service.
2. Complaints
2.1. If You have any complaints about the Care Choices service, You should contact us by email at consultants@myfamilycare.co.uk or telephone. The complaint will then be investigated. If appropriate, the issues will be discussed with the relevant consultant.
2.2. If the complaint is not resolved at that stage, it will be referred to the Coaching and Consultancy Service Manager who will determine the appropriate action and ensure it is taken within a reasonable time.
2.3. The Coaching and Consultancy Services Manager will monitor complaints and ensure appropriate steps are taken from time to time to address the general nature of such complaints.
Terms of Coaching
In addition to these terms our Privacy Policy also applies.
Using 1:1 Parent Transition Coaching
and the Parental Leave Toolkit™ programme
The terms below make reference to coaching provided by a 1:1 coach. If you are joining Parental Leave Toolkit™ without a 1:1 coach or mentor then the spirit of the terms should be understood and accepted as they relate to your use of the Coaching Toolbox and participation in our group coaching webinars.
How the coaching works
Coaching is a forward-looking, goal-oriented form of support, in which You set the agenda and take responsibility for the achievement of your own goals. Your coach will aim to facilitate You achieving aims and objectives through a process of listening, questioning, feedback, encouraging accountability; and the introduction of appropriate tools, models and frameworks for your areas of interest.
You acknowledge that the success of coaching depends on applying coaching ideas and actions in your everyday life, often through following up on agreed assignments chosen by You to support your goals. If appropriate and agreed by your coach, You may contact your coach by email for further brief email support between sessions. Where it has been agreed on any telephone coaching sessions, You will make the call to Your coach at a time agreed between you.
You recognise coaching is different from counselling or psychotherapy, and is not designed to deal with serious psychological or traumatic issues, such as bereavement, serious addictions, overcoming abuse, etc. You understand that if We discover during coaching that your situation might be better supported by a different practitioner or approach, your coach may make recommendations to refer You.
Confidentiality
You understand the coaching process is confidential. Your coach may keep notes during and/or following each session that You are entitled to see if you wish. The trust between coach and coachee is crucial to the success of the process and your coach will treat all information disclosed by You as confidential, and will not disclose details of the content of the coaching meetings to your employer or any other third parties, without your permission.
Within the context of this confidentiality, your coach will review their coaching caseload anonymously within their professional supervision, a process designed to support the coach's continuing professional development and provide quality assurance: this does not involve disclosing individual names or details.
As a potential exception to confidentiality, it is important that you understand that professional codes of ethics require that if in a coach's opinion any client presents an immediate danger to him/herself or to others, the coach reserves the right to inform appropriate agencies, and may sometimes be bound to reveal background notes if required by a Court of Law.
It is usual practice, wherever possible, to inform and involve the coachee first, before any of these rare exceptions to confidentiality would apply. My Family Care and its coaches have adopted the Association for Coaching Code of Ethics.
Logistics / Duration of coaching
Our specific agreement is as agreed with your employer and communicated to You by My Family Care. It will vary from employer to employer and sometimes between employees with the same employer.
Feedback and evaluation
Your feedback on, and evaluation of, the coaching will be sought at intervals during the coaching process. Should you wish to take up a particular issue or concern regarding the coaching at any point, please contact the Coaching Admin team and your comments will be directed to the appropriate senior person.
Cancellation / failure to keep coaching appointment
Where You are unable to keep any commitments to coaching meetings, You will communicate this to your coach by email, or mobile phone as appropriate.
Should you cancel or postpone with
- less than 2 weeks' notice of an onsite coaching meeting or
- less than 2 working days' notice of a virtual coaching session
You understand that My Family Care may charge your employer a 50% cancellation fee.
Should You cancel or postpone with less than
- 2 clear business days' notice for an onsite coaching meeting or
- on the day of a virtual coaching session or fail to keep an appointment
You understand My Family Care may charge your employer as if the meeting had gone ahead as booked. In either case it might not be possible to reschedule this session, due to higher costs to your employer.
Notwithstanding the above, You have the right to stop the coaching process at any time You choose or to request a different coach. Should this involve cancellations at less than 2 weeks' notice, then cancellation fees will apply as set out above.
Agreement
You give your consent to coaching, with a focus on your own objectives within the context of any overarching aims set by your employer where relevant. You give your coach permission to challenge any goal-blocking, self-defeating or stress-producing thoughts, feelings and behaviour that may be identified between You and your coach. You agree that You will take responsibility for what You choose to discuss during coaching, and You note the terms above regarding cancellation or changes to your coaching session timings.
At the conclusion of the meetings agreed between us, or when You choose to stop the process, whichever is sooner, Your coach will have no further responsibility towards You.
