Dyslexia Assessment and Services in Surrey, Hampshire, West Sussex and South West London
Policies and Terms & Conditions
Definitions
“Client” The person or persons who request, arrange, and pay for the service. This is assumed to be the person who makes initial contact with Claire Kerr.
“Learner” The person receiving tutoring or assessment from Claire Kerr.
“Consultancy” is the provision of education advice or consultation, charged at an hourly rate.
“Tuition” is the provision of lessons to the learner charged at an hourly rate.
“Booking date” refers to the date that has been scheduled for the piece of work.
PAYMENT
- Assessments: A 20% deposit is due at the time of booking in order to secure your assessment date. This is non-refundable after 14 days of making the booking and within 14 days of the booked assessment date. The balance is due before the booking date. If full payment is not received before the booking date, the assessment may be cancelled by Claire Kerr with the deposit forfeited
- Tuition: Tuition is booked in six week blocks and fees for the six week block are due before the first lesson. No refunds will be given for missed lessons
CANCELLATION OF ASSESSMENT AND TUITION
- All cancellations should be advised by emailing or telephoning Claire Kerr on clairee@clairekerrdyslexia.co.uk or 07966 552214
- If full payment has been received, a refund of the agreed assessment fee minus the deposit will be given if cancellation is more than 14 days before the booking date
- Cancellations received 14 days or less before the booked assessment date will incur a charge of 50% of the agreed assessment fee
- Cancellations received within 14 days of the booking date will be charged 100% of the agreed assessment fee
- If the assessment is not cancelled and the client / learner does not attend the assessment booking date, the full fee is payable
- Changes to the booking date less than 14 days in advance may incur an additional administration fee of £25
- Clients will be liable for any non-refundable costs associated with the booking that cannot be cancelled, regardless of when notice of cancellation is given
- No refunds are given for cancellation of tuition lessons. An alternative lesson time may be arranged, subject to availability
- Claire Kerr may cancel for specific reasons and rearrange at a mutually convenient time
CANCELLATION BY CLAIRE KERR
- Claire Kerr reserves the right to cancel bookings due to viability, adverse weather, illness, unforeseen reasons, or if there is any reputational risk. An alternative date may be offered or a refund given
EXPENSES
- All expenses will be covered in the agreed fee unless otherwise specified. Mileage is charged at £0.45 per mile unless otherwise stated
DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT/TUTORING
- Before the assessment, comprehensive background information will be gathered from parents and schools via questionnaires. Follow-up calls may be made if needed.
- The assessment will take place at a mutually agreed venue
- An adult known by the learner must be present nearby during the assessment. If not agreed or supported, the assessment may be discontinued or cancelled at full cost
- For diagnostic assessments, follow-up tests may be needed, with no additional charge
- A diagnostic assessment report will be written within three weeks unless otherwise agreed
- The report is sent to the client who may then choose to share it with the school or other interested parties. If the client wishes the report to be sent to an additional parent / guardian, this must be noted on the questionnaire
- A follow-up conversation with the client to discuss the results of the report is included within the assessment fee. Fees may be charged at the consultancy rate for further follow up consultations with the client or other parties
- An assessment for dyslexia does not guarantee that a diagnosis of dyslexia will be given. However, as a result of the assessment, the learner’s strengths and weaknesses will be identified and specific recommendations made to help with future learning
ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS ASSESSMENTS
- Claire Kerr will liaise with the SENCo and assess candidates in light of their history and needs
- Schools are responsible for completing Form 8 Part 1 before the assessment and arranging the day’s timetable
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
All training materials, assessment reports, and resources provided by Claire Kerr remain her intellectual property unless otherwise agreed.
CODE OF ETHICS
Claire Kerr is a member of PATOSS (Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties). Please refer to the PATOSS Code of Ethics.
COMPLAINTS
For concerns relating to any service provided by Claire Kerr, please contact her for an informal discussion. If the concern is unresolved, please refer to the PATOSS complaints procedure.
GENERAL
Claire Kerr reserves the right to alter these terms and conditions but will notify clients of any changes. These Terms and Conditions prevail unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Safeguarding Policy
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THIS POLICY STATEMENT
Claire Kerr Dyslexia
Date reviewed: 1st October 2025
Next review due: 1st October 2026 (or sooner if guidance changes)
Claire Kerr Dyslexia aims to enable, equip and empower practitioners and parents to meet the needs of learners with specific learning difficulties in schools. This work involves training, consultancy, tutoring and advisory work. We believe that all children have the right to grow up safe from abuse, neglect or exploitation, regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We believe everyone has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to work in a way that protects them.
The purpose of this policy statement is to:
• protect children and young people who receive Claire Kerr Dyslexia’s services from harm
• provide staff, associates and volunteers, as well as children, young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection
This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Claire Kerr Dyslexia.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), September 2025
Working Together to Safeguard Children, December 2023
Prevent Duty Guidance, updated 2023
Information Sharing Advice for Safeguarding Practitioners, July 2023
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
This policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions
OUR COMMITMENT
We recognise that:
– the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take
– working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting welfare
– child abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, or a combination of these
– all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, have an equal right to protection
– some children are additionally vulnerable because of previous experiences, level of dependency, communication needs, or other issues
– extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.
WE WILL SEEK TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE BY:
- valuing, listening to and respecting them
- recording and storing information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation
- making sure that children and families know where to go for help if they have a concern
- sharing concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving children, parents and carers appropriately
- ensuring effective complaints measures are in place
- providing a safe physical environment for children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in line with law and guidance
- complying with the safeguarding policy of schools we visit
- staying up to date with safeguarding training and statutory updates
- recognising signs of abuse when working with children
- ensuring parents and stakeholders are aware of our complaints procedure
- ensuring a parent/carer (or trusted adult) is present or within earshot during any home-based or online work with a child
- ensuring safe and appropriate online working practices, in line with KCSIE 2024 and the Online Safety Act 2023
ACTING ON CONCERNS
Unless we believe that it would put the child at further risk of harm, we will discuss concerns with a child’s parent/carer if we notice:
- significant changes in a child’s behaviour
- deterioration in general wellbeing or appearance
- unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect
- concerning comments made by a child
- reasons to suspect neglect or abuse outside the setting
If a child makes a disclosure, we will:
- listen calmly and take them seriously
- avoid asking leading questions
- reassure them that telling us was the right thing to do
- explain that we cannot promise confidentiality, as we may need to share information to keep them safe
- record their words accurately, noting time, date, place and witnesses
- report concerns immediately to the school DSL (if in a school) or to Children’s Services following local safeguarding partner procedures
RECORD KEEPING
In all instances of concern we will record:
- child’s full name and address
- date and time of record
- factual details of concern (bruising, what was said, who was present)
- any previous concerns
- any action taken (speaking to parents, referrals made)
- details of parent/carer explanations (if appropriate and safe to do so)
All safeguarding logs will be stored securely and retained for the legally required period.
CONTACTS
Local Safeguarding Partners
- Surrey County Council Children’s Services: 0300 123 1650
- Surrey Police: Emergency 999, non-emergency 101
Useful Contacts
- NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
- Childline: 0800 1111
- National Youth Advocacy Service: 0808 808 1001
- Bullying UK: 0808 800 2222
- Surrey Domestic Abuse Helpline 01483 776822
Other References
- Surrey Safeguarding Children's Partnership: partnership.team@surreycc.gov.uk
- Families First: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/children/support-and-advice/young-people-and-their-families/early-help/families-first
CONTACT DETAILS
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Claire Kerr
Tel: 07966 552214
Email: claire@clairekerrdyslexia.co.uk
