Consultancy confirmation
Submission of an application for the Accreditation Consultancy Service (ACS) does not automatically confirm your consultancy.
After receiving your application, we will arrange an initial telephone or video call to discuss your current stage of preparation and whether the service is appropriate for you.
If we agree to provide the service, we will issue a confirmation email and invoice. Your consultancy will be booked and arranged once payment has been received.
We may decline an application or recommend postponing the consultancy if we believe your language centre is not yet ready to benefit from the service.
Scope and duration of the service
The ACS provides guidance, advice and support to organisations seeking accreditation through Accreditation UK. It is designed to help language centres understand accreditation requirements and prepare for inspection.
The service includes the consultancy support described by English UK at the time of booking. This may include document review, a consultancy visit, a follow-up report or other agreed support.
The consultancy service and any associated support lasts for one year or until your Accreditation UK inspection is completed, whichever is the sooner. During this time, any further post-consultancy support is limited to approximately 1.5 hours by phone, email or videoconference. Any further support may be provided at our discretion and may be subject to additional fees.
Additional benefits of the Accreditation Consultancy Service
While subscribed to the Accreditation Consultancy Service and until your inspection has taken place, you are entitled to attend eligible English UK events and training courses at the English UK member rate.
Language centres that successfully pass their inspection following participation in the ACS may apply for English UK membership. If accepted into membership, you will be eligible for a one-off discount on your first year's English UK membership subscription fee.
We reserve the right to amend or withdraw these benefits at any time. Any changes will not affect benefits already confirmed and in place at the time of amendment.
Information and access
To enable the consultancy service to be delivered effectively, the language centre agrees to promptly provide accurate information and access to relevant policies, procedures, documentation, staff and premises as reasonably requested.
We are not responsible for any recommendations, observations or conclusions that are affected by incomplete, inaccurate or misleading information supplied by the applicant organisation.
Confidentiality
English UK and its consultants will treat information provided during the consultancy process as confidential and will not disclose it to third parties except where required by law or where necessary for the administration of the service.
Personal data
We take your privacy seriously. We aim to be clear about how and why we use your personal data, and we work hard to keep it safe.
We will not keep your data longer than necessary, as explained in our Privacy Policy. You can contact us at any time about your data by emailing info@englishuk.com. You can also withdraw your consent for us to use your data. Please note: if you withdraw consent before the consultancy starts, this will count as a cancellation and the cancellation fees outlined below will apply.
No guarantee of accreditation
Subscribing to the ACS does not guarantee that a language centre will pass their inspection or meet all accreditation requirements. The service is intended to support you in preparing for inspection, but successful accreditation remains your responsibility.
The final accreditation decision is made solely by Accreditation UK following its own inspection and assessment processes.
English UK accepts no liability if you do not achieve accreditation or are required to undertake further work.
No refunds will be given if you do not achieve accreditation or are required to undertake further work.
Consultancy reports and recommendations
Any written reports, recommendations, observations or action plans provided through the ACS are advisory in nature and are intended to help you prepare for Accreditation UK inspection.
The consultancy service does not constitute a formal Accreditation UK assessment, pre-inspection, approval, endorsement or guarantee of accreditation. You remain responsible for ensuring you meet all Accreditation UK requirements.
We accept no liability where a language centre does not implement recommendations provided through the consultancy service, or where implementation of those recommendations does not result in accreditation being achieved.
Independence of the accreditation process
The ACS operates independently of the Accreditation UK inspection and decision-making processes.
The consultant’s advice, observations and recommendations do not influence the outcome of an Accreditation UK inspection and do not form part of the formal accreditation decision-making process.
All accreditation decisions are made by Accreditation UK in accordance with its own procedures and assessment criteria.
Fees and payment
If we agree to provide the ACS, we will invoice you for the relevant consultancy fee.
Payment is due immediately on receipt of the invoice. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, no consultancy arrangements will be made until full payment has been received.
Changes or cancellation by English UK
If we must cancel the service and are unable to offer an alternative date, any fees already paid will be refunded in full.
Our liability in such circumstances is limited to the refund of fees paid. We will not be responsible for any associated costs incurred by you.
Cancellation by you
If you need to cancel or postpone your consultancy, notify us in writing as soon as possible.
- More than 30 days before the scheduled consultancy: 50% refund
- Less than 30 days before the scheduled consultancy: no refund
Acceptance of terms
Submission of an application for the Accreditation Consultancy Service constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.