HeadFirst Consulting – Standard Terms and Conditions of Service
HeadFirst Consulting – Standard Terms and Conditions of Service
Chris Benson · Sole Trader · Not VAT Registered
Dedham Mill, Mill Lane, Essex, CO7 6DJ
chris@headfirstconsulting.com
These Terms and Conditions govern the provision of consultancy, training, CPD, coaching and advisory services by Chris Benson trading as HeadFirst Consulting. Please read them carefully before engaging our services. By placing an order or confirming an engagement, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
1. Definitions and Interpretation
In these Terms and Conditions, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the following meanings:
Chris Benson · Sole Trader · Not VAT Registered
Dedham Mill, Mill Lane, Essex, CO7 6DJ
chris@headfirstconsulting.com
These Terms and Conditions govern the provision of consultancy, training, CPD, coaching and advisory services by Chris Benson trading as HeadFirst Consulting. Please read them carefully before engaging our services. By placing an order or confirming an engagement, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
1. Definitions and Interpretation
In these Terms and Conditions, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the following meanings:
“Business Day”
“Business Day”
Any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or UK bank holiday.
“Client” / “you” / “your”
“Client” / “you” / “your”
The school, organisation or individual who engages HeadFirst Consulting for Services.
The school, organisation or individual who engages HeadFirst Consulting for Services.
“Contract”
“Contract”
The agreement for the provision of Services, formed in accordance with Clause 3.
“Engagement Confirmation”
“Engagement Confirmation”
Our written acceptance of your Order, confirming the scope, date(s) and Price of the Services.
Our written acceptance of your Order, confirming the scope, date(s) and Price of the Services.
“Order”
“Order”
Your request for Services, whether made by email, letter, purchase order, or verbal agreement confirmed in writing.
Your request for Services, whether made by email, letter, purchase order, or verbal agreement confirmed in writing.
“Price”
“Price”
The fee payable for the Services as agreed between the parties.
“Services”
“Services”
The consultancy, CPD training, coaching, advisory or related educational neurodiversity services to be provided by HeadFirst Consulting as specified in your Order.
The consultancy, CPD training, coaching, advisory or related educational neurodiversity services to be provided by HeadFirst Consulting as specified in your Order.
“We” / “Us” / “Our”
“We” / “Us” / “Our”
Chris Benson trading as HeadFirst Consulting, a Sole Trader whose main trading address is Dedham Mill, Mill Lane, Essex, CO7 6DJ.
Chris Benson trading as HeadFirst Consulting, a Sole Trader whose main trading address is Dedham Mill, Mill Lane, Essex, CO7 6DJ.
“Writing”
“Writing”
Includes email and other electronic communications.
References to “writing” include email and equivalent electronic communications.
2. About HeadFirst Consulting
Chris Benson trades as HeadFirst Consulting. HeadFirst Consulting is a Sole Trader business. We are not VAT registered. Our main trading address is Dedham Mill, Mill Lane, Essex, CO7 6DJ and our contact email is chris@headfirstconsulting.com.
3. The Contract
These Terms and Conditions form the basis of the Contract between Us and you for the provision of Services. Please read them carefully before placing an Order.
Nothing in Our communications, marketing materials, website or price lists constitutes a binding offer. Your Order constitutes an offer which We may accept at Our discretion.
A legally binding Contract is formed upon Our issue of an Engagement Confirmation. Engagement Confirmations will be provided in writing.
Prior to the Contract being formed, We will confirm: the nature and scope of the Services; Our identity and contact details; the Price (or how it will be calculated); payment arrangements; and the intended date(s) for delivery.
4. Orders and Cancellation by You
All Orders are subject to these Terms and Conditions.
You may request changes to your Order at any time before we begin providing the Services by contacting us in writing. We will confirm any resulting change to the Price in writing.
You may cancel your Order without charge within 14 calendar days of the Engagement Confirmation, provided the Services have not yet commenced. Cancellation must be made in writing.
If you cancel after the 14-day period, or once Services have commenced, the following cancellation charges apply:
• Cancellation more than 28 days before delivery: no charge.
• Cancellation between 14 and 28 days before delivery: 50% of the agreed Price.
• Cancellation within 14 days of delivery: 100% of the agreed Price.
We reserve the right to waive cancellation charges at Our discretion, for example in cases of genuine emergency.
If you have made any advance payments and a refund is due, We will process the refund within 14 calendar days of confirming your cancellation.
5. Price and Payment
The Price for the Services will be as set out in Our quote, proposal or Engagement Confirmation.
Our Prices may change from time to time. Price changes will not affect Orders already confirmed.
HeadFirst Consulting is not VAT registered. No VAT will be added to Our Prices.
Where agreed, We may request a deposit of up to 50% of the total Price prior to commencing Services. The due date for any deposit will be confirmed in the Engagement Confirmation.
The balance of the Price (or full Price where no deposit is taken) will be payable within 30 days of the date of invoice, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
We accept the following methods of payment:
• BACS bank transfer (preferred)
• Cheque payable to Chris Benson
• Such other methods as may be agreed in writing
Our bank details are provided on each invoice.
If payment is not received by the due date, We reserve the right to charge interest on the overdue sum at the rate of 8% per annum above the Bank of England base rate from time to time, accruing daily from the due date until payment is received. This is in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
No interest will accrue where you have promptly raised a good-faith dispute regarding an invoice. We will work to resolve any such dispute promptly.
6. Providing the Services
We will provide the Services with reasonable skill, care and professionalism, consistent with best practice in the education and neurodiversity sector.
We will begin providing the Services on the date(s) confirmed in the Engagement Confirmation.
We will make every reasonable effort to deliver the Services on time. We cannot be held responsible for delays caused by events outside Our control (see Clause 11).
Where We require information, access or action from you in order to provide the Services (for example, access to the school site, relevant context about learners or staff, or specific requirements), We will notify you of this in good time. Delays caused by your failure to provide required information or access may result in rescheduling and, where additional work is required, additional charges.
We reserve the right to suspend provision of the Services where payment is overdue. We will notify you in writing before doing so.
Where a session or engagement requires specific resources to be prepared by Us in advance, We may begin that preparation work as soon as the Engagement Confirmation is issued.
7. Intellectual Property
All materials, resources, presentations, frameworks, tools, workshop content and other intellectual property created or used by Us in delivering the Services remain Our property unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing.
Where We provide you with materials for use within your school or organisation, you may use those materials for your internal purposes only. You may not reproduce, share, sell, adapt or distribute Our materials to third parties without Our prior written consent.
We may reference engagements with your school or organisation (in general terms, without disclosing confidential information) in Our professional profile, marketing materials or case studies, unless you request otherwise.
8. Confidentiality
We will treat all information shared with Us in connection with the Services as confidential and will not disclose it to third parties without your consent, except where required by law or regulatory obligation.
We expect the same in return: where you receive any confidential information from Us (including materials, frameworks or methodologies), this should be treated with appropriate discretion.
Where Our Services involve direct contact with pupils, we will comply with all relevant safeguarding requirements and your school’s safeguarding policy. We hold up-to-date DBS clearance.
9. Problems with the Services
We aim to ensure that all of Our Services are delivered to a high standard. If you are unhappy with any aspect of the Services, please contact Us as soon as reasonably possible.
We will use reasonable efforts to resolve any concerns promptly and fairly.
We will not charge you for remedying problems that are Our fault. Where a problem has arisen as a result of incomplete or inaccurate information provided by you, We may charge a reasonable additional fee for any remedial work required.
As a consumer or business client, you retain your legal rights in relation to services not performed with reasonable care and skill, including the right to request repeat performance or, where that is not possible, a reduction in price.
10. Our Liability
We will be responsible for any foreseeable loss or damage you suffer as a result of Our breach of these Terms and Conditions or Our negligence. We will not be responsible for loss or damage that is not foreseeable.
We do not exclude or limit liability for: death or personal injury caused by Our negligence; fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or any other matter where it would be unlawful to do so.
Subject to the above, Our total liability to you in connection with any single engagement shall not exceed the Price paid for that engagement.
We will not be liable for: loss of profit; loss of business; business interruption; or loss of opportunity.
11. Events Outside Our Control (Force Majeure)
We will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing Our obligations where that failure or delay results from any cause that is beyond Our reasonable control. Such causes include, without limitation: illness or incapacity; severe weather; transport disruption; industrial action; or acts of God.
If such an event occurs, We will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and will endeavour to reschedule the Services at a mutually convenient time. If rescheduling is not possible, any payments made in advance for affected Services will be refunded.
12. Cancellation by Us
We reserve the right to cancel confirmed engagements in exceptional circumstances, such as illness or events outside our control. We will notify you as soon as possible and will work to reschedule or, where that is not possible, will refund any advance payments made.
We also reserve the right to decline or withdraw from an engagement where we have reasonable grounds to do so, including where requested to act in a manner inconsistent with our professional standards or these Terms and Conditions.
13. Complaints
If you have a complaint about Our Services, please contact Chris Benson directly at chris@headfirstconsulting.com in the first instance. We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 Business Days and aim to provide a full response within 21 Business Days.
We take all complaints seriously and are committed to resolving them fairly and promptly.
14. Data Protection
We process personal data in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Personal data shared with Us in connection with an engagement will be used only for the purposes of delivering the Services and will not be shared with third parties without your consent, except where required by law.
For further information about how we handle personal data, please see our Privacy Notice at /privacy or contact chris@headfirstconsulting.com.
15. Variation
We may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The Terms and Conditions in force at the time of your Order will apply to that engagement.
Any variation to these Terms and Conditions specific to your engagement will be agreed in writing and will take precedence over these standard terms.
16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions, and any Contract formed under them, are governed by the law of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from these Terms and Conditions or any Contract will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
17. Contact
HeadFirst Consulting
Chris Benson
Dedham Mill, Mill Lane, Essex, CO7 6DJ
chris@headfirstconsulting.com
HeadFirst Consulting – Version 1.1 – October 2026
References to “writing” include email and equivalent electronic communications.
2. About HeadFirst Consulting
Chris Benson trades as HeadFirst Consulting. HeadFirst Consulting is a Sole Trader business. We are not VAT registered. Our main trading address is Dedham Mill, Mill Lane, Essex, CO7 6DJ and our contact email is chris@headfirstconsulting.com.
3. The Contract
These Terms and Conditions form the basis of the Contract between Us and you for the provision of Services. Please read them carefully before placing an Order.
Nothing in Our communications, marketing materials, website or price lists constitutes a binding offer. Your Order constitutes an offer which We may accept at Our discretion.
A legally binding Contract is formed upon Our issue of an Engagement Confirmation. Engagement Confirmations will be provided in writing.
Prior to the Contract being formed, We will confirm: the nature and scope of the Services; Our identity and contact details; the Price (or how it will be calculated); payment arrangements; and the intended date(s) for delivery.
4. Orders and Cancellation by You
All Orders are subject to these Terms and Conditions.
You may request changes to your Order at any time before we begin providing the Services by contacting us in writing. We will confirm any resulting change to the Price in writing.
You may cancel your Order without charge within 14 calendar days of the Engagement Confirmation, provided the Services have not yet commenced. Cancellation must be made in writing.
If you cancel after the 14-day period, or once Services have commenced, the following cancellation charges apply:
• Cancellation more than 28 days before delivery: no charge.
• Cancellation between 14 and 28 days before delivery: 50% of the agreed Price.
• Cancellation within 14 days of delivery: 100% of the agreed Price.
We reserve the right to waive cancellation charges at Our discretion, for example in cases of genuine emergency.
If you have made any advance payments and a refund is due, We will process the refund within 14 calendar days of confirming your cancellation.
5. Price and Payment
The Price for the Services will be as set out in Our quote, proposal or Engagement Confirmation.
Our Prices may change from time to time. Price changes will not affect Orders already confirmed.
HeadFirst Consulting is not VAT registered. No VAT will be added to Our Prices.
Where agreed, We may request a deposit of up to 50% of the total Price prior to commencing Services. The due date for any deposit will be confirmed in the Engagement Confirmation.
The balance of the Price (or full Price where no deposit is taken) will be payable within 30 days of the date of invoice, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
We accept the following methods of payment:
• BACS bank transfer (preferred)
• Cheque payable to Chris Benson
• Such other methods as may be agreed in writing
Our bank details are provided on each invoice.
If payment is not received by the due date, We reserve the right to charge interest on the overdue sum at the rate of 8% per annum above the Bank of England base rate from time to time, accruing daily from the due date until payment is received. This is in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
No interest will accrue where you have promptly raised a good-faith dispute regarding an invoice. We will work to resolve any such dispute promptly.
6. Providing the Services
We will provide the Services with reasonable skill, care and professionalism, consistent with best practice in the education and neurodiversity sector.
We will begin providing the Services on the date(s) confirmed in the Engagement Confirmation.
We will make every reasonable effort to deliver the Services on time. We cannot be held responsible for delays caused by events outside Our control (see Clause 11).
Where We require information, access or action from you in order to provide the Services (for example, access to the school site, relevant context about learners or staff, or specific requirements), We will notify you of this in good time. Delays caused by your failure to provide required information or access may result in rescheduling and, where additional work is required, additional charges.
We reserve the right to suspend provision of the Services where payment is overdue. We will notify you in writing before doing so.
Where a session or engagement requires specific resources to be prepared by Us in advance, We may begin that preparation work as soon as the Engagement Confirmation is issued.
7. Intellectual Property
All materials, resources, presentations, frameworks, tools, workshop content and other intellectual property created or used by Us in delivering the Services remain Our property unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing.
Where We provide you with materials for use within your school or organisation, you may use those materials for your internal purposes only. You may not reproduce, share, sell, adapt or distribute Our materials to third parties without Our prior written consent.
We may reference engagements with your school or organisation (in general terms, without disclosing confidential information) in Our professional profile, marketing materials or case studies, unless you request otherwise.
8. Confidentiality
We will treat all information shared with Us in connection with the Services as confidential and will not disclose it to third parties without your consent, except where required by law or regulatory obligation.
We expect the same in return: where you receive any confidential information from Us (including materials, frameworks or methodologies), this should be treated with appropriate discretion.
Where Our Services involve direct contact with pupils, we will comply with all relevant safeguarding requirements and your school’s safeguarding policy. We hold up-to-date DBS clearance.
9. Problems with the Services
We aim to ensure that all of Our Services are delivered to a high standard. If you are unhappy with any aspect of the Services, please contact Us as soon as reasonably possible.
We will use reasonable efforts to resolve any concerns promptly and fairly.
We will not charge you for remedying problems that are Our fault. Where a problem has arisen as a result of incomplete or inaccurate information provided by you, We may charge a reasonable additional fee for any remedial work required.
As a consumer or business client, you retain your legal rights in relation to services not performed with reasonable care and skill, including the right to request repeat performance or, where that is not possible, a reduction in price.
10. Our Liability
We will be responsible for any foreseeable loss or damage you suffer as a result of Our breach of these Terms and Conditions or Our negligence. We will not be responsible for loss or damage that is not foreseeable.
We do not exclude or limit liability for: death or personal injury caused by Our negligence; fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or any other matter where it would be unlawful to do so.
Subject to the above, Our total liability to you in connection with any single engagement shall not exceed the Price paid for that engagement.
We will not be liable for: loss of profit; loss of business; business interruption; or loss of opportunity.
11. Events Outside Our Control (Force Majeure)
We will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing Our obligations where that failure or delay results from any cause that is beyond Our reasonable control. Such causes include, without limitation: illness or incapacity; severe weather; transport disruption; industrial action; or acts of God.
If such an event occurs, We will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and will endeavour to reschedule the Services at a mutually convenient time. If rescheduling is not possible, any payments made in advance for affected Services will be refunded.
12. Cancellation by Us
We reserve the right to cancel confirmed engagements in exceptional circumstances, such as illness or events outside our control. We will notify you as soon as possible and will work to reschedule or, where that is not possible, will refund any advance payments made.
We also reserve the right to decline or withdraw from an engagement where we have reasonable grounds to do so, including where requested to act in a manner inconsistent with our professional standards or these Terms and Conditions.
13. Complaints
If you have a complaint about Our Services, please contact Chris Benson directly at chris@headfirstconsulting.com in the first instance. We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 Business Days and aim to provide a full response within 21 Business Days.
We take all complaints seriously and are committed to resolving them fairly and promptly.
14. Data Protection
We process personal data in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Personal data shared with Us in connection with an engagement will be used only for the purposes of delivering the Services and will not be shared with third parties without your consent, except where required by law.
For further information about how we handle personal data, please see our Privacy Notice at /privacy or contact chris@headfirstconsulting.com.
15. Variation
We may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The Terms and Conditions in force at the time of your Order will apply to that engagement.
Any variation to these Terms and Conditions specific to your engagement will be agreed in writing and will take precedence over these standard terms.
16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions, and any Contract formed under them, are governed by the law of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from these Terms and Conditions or any Contract will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
17. Contact
HeadFirst Consulting
Chris Benson
Dedham Mill, Mill Lane, Essex, CO7 6DJ
chris@headfirstconsulting.com
HeadFirst Consulting – Version 1.1 – October 2026