Terms and Conditions

Once you have booked our services you are deemed to have read, understood and agreed to the following terms and conditions:

The following Conditions comprise the standard terms of business of Saffron Sitters and all the work undertaken by the Company shall be on these terms to the exclusion of any others unless specifically varied in writing and signed for and on behalf of the Client and by a director for and on behalf of the Company. In accepting the Proposal and engaging the Company these Conditions shall be deemed to have been accepted by the Client on its own behalf and for and on behalf of each and every Guest.

Terms: All and any business undertaken by Saffron Sitters is transacted subject to these conditions, each of which have been incorporated or implied in any agreement between the Agency and the employer.

Liability: Saffron sitters takes every care to ensure that client’s needs are met and will always attempt to contact customers if there are any problems for any reason. However, we cannot be held accountable for:

1) Illness, injury or death to a child, relative or pet by themselves or a third party

2) Loss or damage to property either by child, relative, pet or a third party

Fees: Fees to Saffron Sitters are payable by the Client on completion of the booking. The Service cannot be held responsible for any losses, costs, claims, damages or liabilities to the Client and/or the children, relative or pet of any Client or the Client's property or to the Sitter arising from the introduction or engagement of Sitters through the Service.

Mileage Charge: A 45p per mile, mileage charge applies to all bookings outside a 3 mile radius of Saffron Walden centre.

Consultations: We provide 1 free consultation per client. Should it not be possible to collect a key (for pet and house sitting) at this time a further visit for key collection will be charged at the normal hourly rate (this charge changes at different times of the day and/or day of the week). All the hourly rates are published on the Saffron Sitter’s website.

Booking Times: Whilst Saffron Sitters always try to meet our Client’s requests for booking times this cannot be guaranteed and is subject to availability.

Vet or Hospital Visits: In the event of an emergency Saffron Sitters will always endeavour to contact the Client or emergency contact provided. Should Saffron Sitters be unable to get hold of the Client or emergency contact, and have concerns about the health of a child, relative or pet, we will always seek medical advice. Should this incur any costs (including our mileage and additional time) these will be passed onto the Client in full.

Medicine and Medication: The Client must disclose, to Saffron Sitters, any medical conditions of the individuals within the Sitter’s care. The administration of any medications at any time to any individual by the Sitter is strictly prohibited by Saffron Sitters. This remains the case even if the Client has given their consent.

Screening: All reasonable care and due care is taken by Saffron Sitters to screen Sitters, but no guarantees whatsoever are given by Saffron Sitters with respect to the Sitter’s suitability or otherwise, save that the Service will always make copies of the qualifications of the Applicant and a minimum of two references and the copy of the CRB from their current or recent employment or taken through the service to satisfy itself that the sitter is suitable and interview personally, although the service cannot be responsible for the bona fides or accuracy of the said references.

Introduction Clause: All babysitters/pet sitters or house sitters must be re-booked and re-engaged through Saffron Sitters. In the event of a family using a sitter introduced by Saffron Sitters directly, or passing the details of a sitter to third parties, the family will be responsible for any associated loss of Saffron Sitter’s earnings and the family will no longer be able to use the service.

Confidentiality: All information supplied by Saffron Sitters is confidential and must not be passed either directly or indirectly to any actual or potential Clients or Sitters.

Behaviour: Saffron Sitters will not provide a replacement where the Sitter provided has been treated unreasonably by the Client, given the circumstances of the job they are being retained to do or where the Client requires the Sitter to carry out duties that were not agreed at the consultation or are contained in any contract between the Client and Sitter or the circumstances of the booking were unsafe towards the child or the Sitter. In these circumstances refund of any fees paid to Saffron Sitters are not refundable.

Deposits: If the booking amount exceeds £50 then the Client shall pay a non refundable 50% deposit a minimum of 24 hours before the booking commences. All cheques shall be made payable to Sparkling Elephants Ltd. BACS payment is available and details can be
given on request.

Payment: If payment is not settled before or on the day of the booking, full payment of the balance must be paid, no more than, 7 days after the invoice date (this date will be written on every invoice as ‘latest payment date’.

Hours Booked vs Hours Worked: At the time of booking the client will be asked for a start and end time. This is number of hours that the client will pay for regardless of whether the client returns early for any reason. If the client returns later than the original end time of the booking then charges will be added on in half hour slots.

Late Payment: In the event of late payment, the Client shall pay interest on the amount of Saffron Sitter’s fee outstanding at the rate of statutory interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (interest) Act 1988 from the due date of the actual payment. Late payments may also incur a late payment charge of £12 for each weekly reminder issued.

Refund: The deposits are non refundable unless:

1) Saffron Sitters is unable to secure a Sitter. Booking is applicable per Sitter.

2) The booking is cancelled with 7 or more days notice.

Cancellations: In the event that a booking is cancelled by the Client for whatever reason after a commencement date has been agreed by Saffron Sitters the following conditions apply:

1) Cancellations with 7 days or more notice will not incur any charge and any deposit held will be refunded.

2) Cancellations with more than 48 hours notice will not incur any charge but if the Client has paid a deposit this will not be refunded.

3) Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice, the Client shall pay the full amount of booking made directly to Saffron Sitters. The Service will ensure this is paid to the sitter concerned.

If a booking is cancelled by Saffron Sitters for any reason after the commencement date has been agreed the following conditions apply:

1) Saffron Sitters will refund any deposit, back to the Client, in full.

2) Saffron Sitters will endeavour to move the booking to another time that is convenient to the Client.

Hotel Bookings: The Hotel booking rate reflects settling the children in a non‐familiar environment, therefore includes rooms hired for weddings and hired cottages etc. Children must be sleeping in the same room or interjoining rooms for health and safety reasons.

Standards: All venues/homes must allow a minimum space of 3.5 m2 per individual. There must be a separate sleeping area for the individual (hotel bookings are exception to this). Clean running water must be available, suitable close toilet facilities and bottle warming facilities if required. Toys and Television must be supplied by the Client as standard.

Terms and Conditions: Saffron Sitters reserves the right to review and revise these terms and conditions by giving one week's notice to the Client via Saffron Sitter’s website. By entering making a booking, the Client is agreeing to these terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are governed by the law of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Clients details will be stored securely by Saffron Sitters. These will be confidential and only be made available to other parties where the law requires.

If you have any questions or queries please contact us via info@saffronsitters.co.uk