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Post by vik3000 on Aug 11, 2007 22:27:50 GMT
After all the troubles I have had with one particualar parent what I want to know is how "binding" are the Policies and Procedures. I give each parent a copy of it. I ask for their signatures to say that they have received a copy, that they have read and understood it and agree to abide by my working terms and conditions.
But how "binding" is it? I would like to put in the space on the contract that the parents agree to abide by the terms and conditions set out in the Manual (I include a footer on the bottom of each page that by signing the contract they have read and understood the document and are agreeing to abide by the terms set out) . The NCMA contracts are legally binding documents so does that mean that the Policy manual is? If not how can I make it so.
I have been told that if it is not drawn up by a solicitor then it is not legally binding it is only an "agreement". If there are signatures signed to the effect of understanding and agreements then surely its binding?
Any thoughts please?
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Post by luciawak on Aug 12, 2007 20:08:43 GMT
Sorry I can't help but I would quite like to know the answer to that myself.
Lucia x
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Post by carolinel on Aug 12, 2007 20:22:38 GMT
sorry, i can't help with that either. i'm sure Pauline/Angel/Tasha/sarahnev/dee will know - at least i hope so because i'd like to know the answer to that too.
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Post by sarahnev707 on Aug 13, 2007 12:52:52 GMT
I have a friend who took an ex-parent to small claims court for unpaid fees and got the money back - she was using her own forms (not NCMA stuff)
Ofsted were more than happy with my bit in permissions and consents which said that parents have read, understand and agree to abide by all my policies and procedures - I don't get them to sign individually cos they wouldn't do it!
Hope this helps!
Sarahx
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Post by susi513 on Aug 14, 2007 8:34:58 GMT
I added a line to my contracts that the parent signs they have read, understood and received a copy of the handbook.
But I think with my contract the parent has signed the bottom of each page, there can be no doubt that the parent has had sight of each page. With all the pages in my handbook, there could be an element of doubt about whether there was a misprint/error or page missing from the parent's copy etc etc.
Someone suggested having a list of policies, that parent signs at bottom. I think this would be better than the line I've got at present. Would put date by each policy title to show when last updated.
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Post by mel on Aug 14, 2007 15:42:44 GMT
I too have a separate sheet to sign to say that parents have signed and understood the terms of my policies and permission forms. Don't know how legally binding it is though. Mel x
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Post by charleyfarley on Aug 14, 2007 18:13:30 GMT
With my policies and procedures I list every single one then get the parent to sign to say they've read, understood and received a copy of them. I used to get them to sign every form before but with the amount of policies I have in place now it is far to time consuming. With the permission forms I still get them to sign every form. Still don't know though if they are binding.
Carol x
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Post by vik3000 on Aug 15, 2007 9:51:10 GMT
I have just spoken to the NCMA legal line and I spoke to an independent solicitor - your policies and procedures manual is not legally binding BUT if you put it on your contract (in the additional notes section) that the parents have received, read, understood and agree to abide by the terms and conditions as laid out in the P/P manual - it should become more of a stronger document and it should cover you for breaches of contract as it becomes part of the official contract. I also checked that if you put a footnote on EACH page of your documentation that by signing the contract they are agreeing that they have read and understood and agree to these terms and conditions as stated
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Post by tasha on Aug 15, 2007 17:37:13 GMT
Thanks fo letting us know! I will now do this! Tasha
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