Contained herein are the Terms and Conditions that you must read and agree to before registering for the Tutor Quest platform. Please take the time to carefully read and understand these Terms and Conditions before registering for the Tutor Quest Website. Existing members will be informed of any changes to these Terms and Conditions upon login. Continued use of Tutor Quest signifies acceptance of these Terms and Conditions, which may be updated periodically.

Please ensure that the email address associated with your account is accurate and accessible. You can update your email address in the Personal Info section once you sign in.

All tutors are required to read and adhere to our Safeguarding Policy at all times

Definitions

1. The following expressions are defined as follows:
   • “Booking”: Tuition lessons scheduled through the Tutor Quest Website.
   • “Contract”: The agreement between the Tutor and the Tutee for the provision of tuition services by the Tutor.
   • “Booking Tutor”: A qualified individual using the Tutor Quest Website to schedule and provide tuition services.
   • “Complaint”: A claim by a Tutee that the tuition service provided did not meet expected standards.
   • “Failed Payment”: An unpaid Lesson Fee due to a failed charge attempt by Stripe using the payment details provided by the Tutee.
   • “Finder’s Fee Tutor”: A qualified individual providing tuition services outside the Tutor Quest Website after being connected with a Tutee through the platform.
   • “Lesson Fee”: The total hourly fee combining the Tutor’s rate and the Website Fee.
   • “Members”: Both Tutors and Tutees using the platform.
   • “Subscription”: Packages offered on the Tutor Quest Website with recurring charges.
   • “Tutee”: An individual seeking tuition services through the Tutor Quest Website.
   • “Tutor”: Includes both Booking Tutors and Finder’s Fee Tutors.
   • “Tutor Fee”: The hourly rate charged by a Booking Tutor.
   • “Tutor Quest Website”: The online platform operated by Tutor Quest.
   • “Website Fee”: The portion of the Lesson Fee attributed to Tutor Quest.
   • “Stripe” / “Stripe Connect”: The payment provider used by Tutor Quest (Stripe Payments Europe).
2. In these Terms:
   • Words in the singular include the plural and vice versa.
   • Words referencing the masculine gender include the feminine gender and vice versa.

General

3. All transactions conducted by Tutor Quest, Tutors, and/or Tutees are subject to these Terms. In the event of any conflict between these Terms and other terms and conditions, these Terms shall prevail.

Obligations of Tutor Quest

4. The Tutor Quest Website is designed to enable Tutees to contact Tutors and view their profiles. It also facilitates Bookings between Booking Tutors and Tutees.

4.1. Tutor Quest will take reasonable precautions to protect the personal information of Tutors and Tutees. However, Tutor Quest cannot guarantee against unauthorized access to such information.

4.2. Tutor Quest is not responsible for verifying the accuracy of information provided by Members. Members are advised to exercise due diligence. Despite prohibitions, some Members may provide unreliable, misleading, or illegal information. Tutor Quest cannot guarantee the authenticity of any Member’s identity.

4.3. Tutor Quest provides a platform for Tutors and Tutees to connect, allowing Tutees to post tuition opportunities and Tutors to create profiles showcasing their qualifications. Tutor Quest may act as an intermediary, matching suitable Tutors with tuition opportunities (“Tuition Assignments”).

4.3.1. When acting as an introducer:

• Tutees are responsible for paying Tutors for their services.
• Tutor Quest may offer an optional payment facilitation service. Use of this service is not mandatory.
• These Terms govern the relationship between Tutor Quest, Tutors, and Tutees where introductions are made.

4.4. Acceptance of these Terms confirms that Tutor Quest is under no obligation to secure work for Tutors or provide Tutors for Tutees.

Tutor Duties

5.1. A Tutor warrants that: (a) They are at least eighteen years of age. (b) They possess the necessary qualifications and/or experience to provide tuition in the subjects specified on the Tutor Quest Website. (c) Their profile and subject information provided on the Tutor Quest Website are accurate, up-to-date, and truthful. (d) They have the legal right to work in their respective location on a self-employed basis.

5.2. Disclosure of Criminal Records: A Tutor must disclose any criminal convictions or cautions to Tutor Quest, including any new convictions or cautions received after registering an account and throughout their time as a registered Tutor.

5.3. Tutoring Minors: Tutors contacting Tutees under the age of 18 must ensure that the Tutee has obtained consent from a parent or guardian for tuition services.

5.4. Fee Responsibility: A Tutor is responsible for the prices quoted for their services on the Tutor Quest Website.

5.5. Fee Collection (Finders Fee Tutors): Finders Fee Tutors are solely responsible for collecting fees directly from Tutees. Tutor Quest is not liable for unpaid fees and will not mediate disputes over fees.

5.6. Accuracy of Information: Tutors bear full responsibility for the accuracy of the information they provide and must indemnify Tutor Quest for liabilities arising from any inaccuracies.

5.7. Indemnification: Tutors shall indemnify Tutor Quest against all claims and liabilities arising from their use of the website, including associated costs and expenses.

5.8. Professional Conduct: Tutors must not post or share abusive content about Tutees on the Tutor Quest Website or elsewhere.

5.9. Self-Employment: Tutors are self-employed and responsible for their own tax, insurance, and other liabilities.

5.10. Updating Information: All Tutor information, including contact details and qualifications, must be accurate and kept updated. Publicly visible details may appear in search engine results.

5.11. Use at Own Risk: Tutors use the Tutor Quest Website at their own risk and must exercise caution when entering agreements with Tutees.

5.12. Academic Integrity: Tutors must not complete coursework, essays, or assignments for Tutees but may assist with proofreading for regular students.

5.13. External Promotions: Tutors must not promote other tuition companies or businesses on the platform.

5.14. Negative Feedback: Negative feedback (1 or 2 stars) may trigger an investigation by Tutor Quest.

5.15. Eligibility: Tutors must not be barred from working with children or vulnerable adults and must not appear on any relevant protection lists.

Booking Tutors – Additional Duties

6.1. Lesson Bookings: Booking Tutors must only schedule lessons in agreement with a Tutee.

6.2. Lesson Quality: If a Booking Tutor fails to deliver a lesson to the expected standard, Tutor Quest will refund the commission charged.

6.3. No-Shows: If a Booking Tutor fails to show up within 20 minutes of a scheduled lesson start time, Tutor Quest will refund the commission at the Tutee’s request.

6.4. Payment Disputes: Booking Tutors are responsible for resolving payment disputes directly with Tutees.

6.5. Account Suspension: Tutor accounts may be suspended while disputes are under review.

6.6. Refunds and Chargebacks: During disputes or complaints, Tutors may be liable for refunds and chargeback fees if the dispute is resolved against them.

6.7. Loss of Earnings: Tutor Quest is not liable for loss of earnings resulting from failed payments, technical issues, or Stripe-related issues.

6.8. Lesson Intent: Tutor payments are strictly for shared learning time, whether online or in person.

6.9. Payment Options: Booking Tutors can opt out of Stripe but must continue booking lessons on the Tutor Quest Website. In such cases, Tutors must collect payments directly, while Tutor Quest collects its commission.

Tutee Duties

7.1. Parental Consent: Tutees under 18 require parental or guardian consent to register and enter agreements with Tutors.

7.2. Supervision: For Tutees under 18, a parent or guardian must be present for the entire duration of lessons, whether online or in-person.

7.3. Verifying Credentials: Parents/guardians are responsible for verifying a Tutor’s credentials, references, and DBS checks.

7.4. Contractual Relationships: Contracts for tuition services are directly between the Tutee and Tutor. Tutor Quest is not a party to these agreements.

7.5. Communication: Tutees must contact Tutors solely through the Tutor Quest Website until a lesson is confirmed.

7.6. Prohibited Activities: Tutees may not advertise or promote tuition services for their own businesses on the platform.

7.7. Professional Conduct: Tutees must not publish abusive comments about Tutors or other Tutees on the platform or elsewhere.

7.8. Examination Entry: Tutees are responsible for their own examination entries.

7.9. Academic Integrity: Tutees must not request Tutors to complete coursework or assignments on their behalf.

7.10. Booking Confirmation: Tutees must confirm lesson bookings within specified timeframes or risk cancellation.

7.11. Payments and Cancellations: Tutees authorize Tutor Quest to process commission payments via Stripe. Cancellations must be made on the platform to avoid commission charges.

7.12. Complaints: Tutees must report complaints within 24 hours of a lesson’s scheduled end time.

7.13. Failed Payments: Outstanding payments over 48 hours may result in lesson cancellations and collection efforts, including debt recovery actions.

7.14. Bad Debt Consequences: Tutor Quest reserves the right to refer bad debts to third-party collection services, potentially affecting the Tutee’s credit rating.

Stripe / Stripe Connect

8.1. Payments are processed by Stripe (https://stripe.com/gb), a third-party service provider. You acknowledge that Tutor Quest partners with Stripe for payment processing and administrative functions. All account information you provide will be shared with Stripe. By providing your personal information, you consent to Tutor Quest sharing this data with Stripe automatically.

8.2. A Stripe “Connected Account” (https://stripe.com/gb/connect-account/legal) is mandatory for all tutor bookings and a requirement to use our Service. Payments to tutors are facilitated exclusively through Stripe Connect. Stripe requires personal information, including your name, date of birth, address, photo ID, proof of address, and other details. This information is shared directly with Stripe. Providing accurate and complete information is essential. Failure to meet account registration requirements may result in suspension or termination of your Tutor Quest and Stripe Connected Account. By using this service, you consent to Stripe’s Connected Account Agreement, Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy, accessible at https://stripe.com/gb/connect-account/legal and https://stripe.com/privacy.

8.3. For tuition assignments, you may choose to have the Tutor issue invoices to the Client, and the Client may pay the Tutor via Stripe, acting as the Payment Agent. This arrangement may also involve the tutee paying Tutor Quest’s fees related to the Engagement through the Payment Agent. You can select this option by registering with Stripe via the ‘Bookings’ section. The use of Stripe is optional, and tutors can arrange alternative payment methods if they prefer.

8.4. Tutor Quest is not associated with Stripe as the Payment Agent and assumes no responsibility for payment-related issues or failures caused by the Payment Agent. Payment Agent services are offered for convenience only to support the payment process.

Member Duties

9.1. Members must not use the Tutor Quest Website for illegal, unlawful, or prohibited activities. Prohibited actions include posting spam, misleading or defamatory material, or transmitting viruses.

9.2. Members must not impersonate others or use false names without authority.

9.3. Members must not post copyrighted or intellectual property material belonging to others without authorization.

9.4. Members are responsible for managing Subscription charges via the Tutor Quest Website. Subscription cancellations will not result in refunds for any fees already paid.

9.5. Tutor Quest reserves the right to accept or decline subscriptions. Subscriptions or Plans cannot be transferred or assigned to another account.

9.6. Members authorize Tutor Quest to charge their credit/debit cards for Subscription fees upon renewal.

Liability, Indemnity, and Other Provisions

10.1. Tutor Quest is not responsible for the accuracy of any material on its Website, whether posted by Members or third parties. Tutor Quest does not endorse third-party websites linked to its platform.

10.2. Tutor Quest cannot control Member behaviour and is not liable for Member actions on or off the platform.

10.3. Tutor Quest is not liable for direct, indirect, or consequential losses resulting from using its Website, including data loss or financial harm.

10.4. Members agree to indemnify Tutor Quest against liabilities arising from breaches of these Terms or Website usage.

10.5. Tutor Quest does not guarantee Tutor availability or outcomes, such as Tutee grades.

Intellectual Property

11.1. All intellectual property on the Tutor Quest Website, including its code and content, belongs to Tutor Quest. Unauthorized reproduction or use is prohibited.

11.2. By submitting content to the Website, you represent that you own the material and grant Tutor Quest a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use and modify it.

Miscellaneous Provisions

12.1. Online lessons via Tutor Quest are recorded and may be reviewed for quality assurance and safeguarding purposes.

12.2. Tutor Quest reserves the right to modify or withdraw Website features.

12.3. Tutor Quest can suspend or terminate Member access for violations of these Terms.

12.4. Determined individuals whose access is suspended or terminated may re-register without consent.

12.5. Tutor Quest may remove materials that violate its Terms or tarnish its reputation.

12.6. Tutor Quest may adjust Website features and Terms at its discretion.

12.7. Access restrictions to the Website may be applied without reimbursement.

12.8. Tutor Quest may monitor and remove communications or postings as necessary.

12.9. Tutor Quest cannot guarantee a virus-free Website.

12.10. Distance data provided on the Website may not always be accurate.

12.11. Tutor Quest may contact Members via account information for service updates.

12.12. Data collected may be used for statistical analysis and shared with third parties.

12.13. Tutor Quest’s Privacy Policy, available on the homepage, forms part of these Terms.

12.14. These Terms include the Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice and are governed by English Law.

12.15. Invalid Terms provisions do not affect the remainder of these Terms.

12.16. Specific provisions regarding tuition assignments, Introductions, and Engagements apply and are detailed within these Terms.