Customer Booking Terms & Conditions
Last updated: 01 November 2026
The Evidence Academy is referred to as TEA throughout this document.
These Terms & Conditions apply to bookings made with Karina Northover, sole trader trading as The Evidence Academy ("TEA"). By making a booking, the person making the booking agrees to these terms. Business address: Clyde Offices, 48 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1BP. Telephone: 0738 734 7314.
1. About The Evidence Academy
TEA provides educational forensic investigation workshops for children and young people. Workshops are designed to develop observation, critical thinking, problem solving, evidence evaluation and scientific enquiry. TEA does not provide professional forensic, investigative or legal services.
2. Bookings
Places are subject to availability. A booking is confirmed when any required payment has been received and TEA has issued a booking confirmation. The person booking must be aged 18 or over and provide accurate information about the participant. Customers should check the date, time, location, age range and workshop information before booking.
3. Age and Suitability
Each workshop will state its intended age range and provide information about the activities. Parents and carers should review this information and contact TEA before booking if they have questions about suitability for their child.
Please check the advertised age range before booking. If you book the wrong age-group session, contact TEA as soon as possible and before the session starts. A transfer to a suitable session may be arranged, subject to availability, with any price difference agreed beforehand. Refund requests are subject to Section 6. Attendance outside the advertised age range must be agreed with TEA in advance and does not guarantee acceptance at future sessions.
4. Prices and Payment
The price payable is the price stated at the time of booking. Standalone workshops must be paid for in full at the time of booking. For block bookings, the payment arrangements and any deadlines will be stated before booking. A booking is confirmed once any required payment has been received and TEA has issued a booking confirmation. Any compulsory additional charges will be clearly disclosed before the customer commits to the booking.
5. Block Bookings
A block booking covers the specific sessions identified at booking and reserves the participant's place for those sessions. Missed sessions cannot normally be transferred to another block or participant, although exceptional circumstances may be considered fairly and individually.
6. Customer Cancellations, Refunds and Transfers
To cancel a booking or request a transfer, please email karina@theevidenceacademy.co.uk, giving the booking name, workshop date and booking reference, if available. Notice is calculated from when your email is received, including weekends and bank holidays, rather than when TEA replies. A transfer is only agreed once TEA confirms it in writing.
Standalone workshops
The following standard refunds apply, measured before the advertised workshop start time:
- 7 days or more: the amount paid minus one £2.50 administration charge per cancelled booking.
- At least 48 hours but less than 7 days: 50% of the amount paid, with no additional administration charge.
- Less than 48 hours, or non-attendance: normally no refund.
The administration charge covers reasonable cancellation administration and retained payment-processing costs. Any amount retained will reflect TEA’s genuine unavoidable loss, taking account of costs saved and whether the place can reasonably be filled. TEA will take reasonable steps to reduce its loss, explain deductions where requested, and will not recover the same loss twice. Exceptional circumstances will be considered fairly. Statutory rights remain unaffected.
Transfers
One free transfer per booking may be arranged, normally where requested at least seven days before the workshop, subject to availability. Any price difference must be agreed before the transfer. Later requests may be considered individually.
Moving your booking to another date does not give you a fresh cancellation window. When a transfer is agreed, TEA will confirm the maximum refund available if you later cancel. This is based on how much notice you gave before the original workshop when requesting the transfer:
- 7 days or more: the original payment minus the £2.50 administration charge.
- At least 48 hours but less than 7 days: 50% of the original payment.
- Less than 48 hours: normally no refund of the original payment.
These are maximum amounts. Cancelling close to the new workshop date may reduce the refund further under the usual cancellation terms. Any price difference paid or refunded when transferring will be explained in the transfer confirmation, including how it affects a later refund. These arrangements apply to customer-requested transfers, including any agreed exceptionally at short notice. They do not apply where TEA changes or cancels a workshop, and remain subject to the safeguards and statutory rights set out in this section.
Example 1: You request a transfer three days before your original £18 workshop. TEA agrees to move you to a date next month. If you later cancel, your maximum refund is £9, even if you cancel several weeks before the new date.
Example 2: You request a transfer ten days before your original £18 workshop. Your maximum refund is initially £15.50. However, if you then cancel 24 hours before the new workshop, normally no refund is due.
Block bookings
Cancellation of a whole block or withdrawal after it has started will be assessed fairly, taking account of the notice given, costs already committed, any costs saved and whether the place can reasonably be filled. Any amount retained will reflect TEA’s genuine unavoidable loss and will not exceed the booking price. Individual missed sessions do not normally qualify for a refund because the participant’s place remains reserved.
7. Statutory Cancellation Rights
TEA’s forensic investigation workshops and programmes are educational leisure activities. Bookings for a specified date or period are excluded from the statutory 14-day cooling-off right under regulation 28(1)(h) of the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.
This means that booking online or by telephone does not provide an automatic 14-day right to cancel. Our cancellation, refund and transfer arrangements are set out in Section 6.
Nothing in these terms affects your other statutory consumer rights.
8. Changes or Cancellation by TEA
TEA may need to cancel or change a workshop because of illness, venue cancellation, circumstances that prevent safe delivery, or other events outside TEA’s reasonable control. TEA will take reasonable steps to minimise disruption and inform customers as soon as reasonably possible.
Where a workshop requires a minimum number of bookings, this will be stated before booking. If TEA cancels because of insufficient bookings, customers will be notified at least five days before the workshop.
If TEA cancels a workshop or significantly changes its date, time or location, customers may choose a full refund for the affected workshop or accept an alternative arrangement offered by TEA. No administration or payment-processing fees will be deducted.
Where an affected workshop forms part of a block, the refund will reflect the amount paid for that session. If TEA makes a significant change affecting the remaining programme and the customer cannot reasonably continue, they may cancel the affected remaining sessions and receive a refund for those sessions.
Where disruption results from circumstances genuinely outside TEA’s reasonable control, TEA will not be responsible for additional losses caused by that disruption, provided it has taken reasonable care and reasonable steps to prevent or minimise those losses. This does not affect the refund arrangements above or exclude any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.
9. Parent or Carer Attendance, Arrival and Collection
For children under 10, a responsible adult must remain at the venue throughout the workshop and supervise their child. Children aged 10–11 may attend without an adult remaining at the venue only where this has been agreed with TEA in advance. Please do not assume drop-off is available.
Workshops for ages 12–16 normally allow drop-off, subject to availability and confirmation from TEA, with TEA supervising participants during the session. Parents and carers are welcome to remain at the venue, although space within the workshop room may be limited.
Accompanying adults must remain attentive and available to supervise and support their child, help them follow safety instructions and respond when support is needed. Children can investigate independently where appropriate; adults do not need to be hands-on throughout. Adults must tell Karina before taking a brief break and agree how supervision will continue.
An adult may supervise more than one participating child, provided they can safely remain attentive and available to support each child.
The supervision arrangement confirmed for the booking must be maintained throughout the session. TEA’s agreement must be obtained before changing it, including leaving a participant who was booked to attend with a supervising adult.
Non-participating siblings, including babies, are not permitted in the workshop room. Where suitable facilities are available, they may remain elsewhere at the venue under the supervision of a responsible adult. An adult also responsible for a participating child must still be able to provide the supervision and support required, unless alternative arrangements have been agreed with TEA in advance. Waiting facilities may not be available at every venue.
Arrival and collection
All participants must report directly to Karina on arrival so their attendance can be recorded. Where drop-off has been agreed, the accompanying adult must ensure Karina has accepted the participant into the session before leaving. Participants must not be left outside the venue or in a waiting area.
All participants under 12 must be brought and collected by an authorised adult. Participants aged 12 or over may arrive or leave independently only with prior written permission from a parent/carer and agreement from TEA. They must report directly to Karina on arrival and before departure.
Unless independent departure has been agreed, participants must be collected promptly at the advertised finish time. Parents/carers must provide authorised collectors’ names in advance and confirm any changes directly with Karina; a message passed on solely through the participant is not sufficient.
Collecting adults must report directly to Karina, and participants must remain with TEA until collection has been confirmed. TEA may request identification or verify arrangements using the contact details held before releasing a participant.
Where a participant attends without a supervising adult, their parent/carer must remain contactable throughout the workshop and provide current emergency contact details. A parent/carer or another authorised adult must be available to collect the participant if they become unwell or need to leave early.
For delays or changes on the day, please telephone Karina rather than relying on email or social media messages. Please give advance notice of early departure wherever possible. To withdraw permission for independent arrival or departure, notify TEA directly and ensure Karina has acknowledged the change.
Non-arrival
Please tell Karina as soon as possible if a participant will be absent or late. Where a participant is expected to arrive independently but has not arrived by the agreed start time, Karina will attempt to contact their parent/carer promptly, followed by the emergency contacts provided. If their whereabouts remain unknown or there is concern for their welfare, TEA will follow its safeguarding and missing-child procedures.
Late collection
Participants must be collected at the advertised finish time. If delayed, parents/carers must telephone Karina as soon as possible with an estimated arrival time. Any alternative authorised collector must be confirmed directly with Karina.
A five-minute grace period applies. After this, a late-collection charge of £1 per minute applies until collection. TEA may waive charges in exceptional circumstances.
Participants awaiting collection will remain supervised. If collection is overdue without explanation, Karina will attempt to contact the parent/carer and then the emergency contacts provided.
If no parent/carer or emergency contact can be reached after 30 minutes, TEA will seek advice in accordance with its safeguarding and uncollected-child procedures. Action may be taken sooner if there is an immediate concern for the participant’s welfare.
10. Behaviour
Participants must treat others respectfully, follow safety instructions and use equipment and materials as directed.
TEA recognises that participants may need support to understand or follow expectations. Movement, communication differences and additional support needs will be considered in context. TEA will use proportionate support, such as reminders, clearer instructions, redirection, agreed breaks and reasonable adjustments. Participants are encouraged, but not forced, to complete activities.
Unsafe activities will be paused or stopped immediately. A participant may be asked to stop an activity or leave the session where their behaviour creates a significant safety risk or seriously disrupts others’ participation. Parents/carers may be asked to collect their child where necessary.
Decisions about future attendance and refunds for affected paid sessions will be considered fairly in the circumstances.
11. Health, Accessibility and Additional Support Needs
Please tell TEA before booking about relevant allergies, medical conditions, disabilities, accessibility requirements or additional support needs that may affect safe and comfortable participation. A diagnosis is not required to discuss support.
TEA will discuss reasonable adjustments and practical arrangements with parents/carers. Karina delivers workshops alone, so ongoing individual support may require a parent/carer to attend. Please keep TEA informed of changes to needs or agreed arrangements.
Venue facilities, access routes and activities vary. Please review the relevant venue information and contact TEA to discuss any access requirements before booking.
Parents/carers are responsible for ensuring any required medication is supplied and readily accessible. Routine medication management or assistance must be undertaken by the participant, where appropriate, or by a parent/carer or other agreed responsible adult. Any necessary arrangements must be discussed and agreed with TEA in advance.
TEA does not routinely administer medication but may provide appropriate emergency assistance within its training and competence, including following instructions from emergency services.
TEA does not provide toileting or personal care assistance. Participants who require this support must attend with a parent/carer.
12. Safety
TEA risk-assesses workshop activities and provides any protective equipment required. Participants and accompanying adults must follow safety instructions, including instructions to stop an activity or evacuate.
Protective equipment may include lab coats, eye protection, gloves, face masks, shoe covers or full coveralls. Some items may also be worn as part of the forensic investigation experience. Participants will be told when and how to use them.
Please raise any concerns about fit, comfort or safe use before attendance so adjustments or alternatives can be discussed. Where equipment is essential for safety, the activity can only proceed if suitable protection can be used safely.
Workshop materials must only be handled as instructed. They must not be tasted, eaten, sniffed or deliberately smelled unless specifically instructed by Karina as part of a planned activity, even where they contain familiar food ingredients. Participants must follow handwashing instructions; gloves do not replace handwashing.
Food must not be eaten in the activity area. Water bottles must be kept in the designated space. Medical or support-related requirements for food or drink should be discussed with TEA. Phones must remain put away during activities unless permission is given.
Participants must report illness, discomfort, irritation, spills, breakages, injuries or damaged equipment promptly. Spills and broken items must be left for Karina to deal with.
TEA may adapt, pause or stop activities where necessary for safety, including outdoor activities affected by weather or ground conditions.
13. Clothing and Personal Property
Participants must wear clothing suitable for practical activities: legs fully covered, flat and fully enclosed shoes, long hair tied back, and loose sleeves or clothing secured. Please follow any additional clothing or footwear instructions provided for the workshop, including outdoor activities.
Clothing should be comfortable and suitable for getting messy. Workshop materials may mark or permanently stain clothing or footwear. Lab coats and other protective clothing cannot guarantee protection against marks or stains.
Please bring only what is needed and avoid unnecessary valuables. Bags, coats and other belongings must be kept in the designated area so floors and walkways remain clear.
TEA is not responsible for loss of or damage to personal belongings unless caused by TEA’s failure to exercise reasonable care or where liability otherwise arises by law.
Participants must arrive wearing the clothing and footwear specified for their workshop. Where these requirements have not been met, TEA will consider whether the issue can reasonably be corrected, including any reasonable adjustments. If safe participation is not possible, participation in the affected activity or workshop may be refused.
Where a participant cannot attend the workshop because clearly communicated safety requirements have not been followed, this will normally be treated as an on-the-day cancellation under Section 6, with no refund. Exceptional circumstances, any reduction in TEA’s actual loss and statutory rights will still be considered.
14. Photography and Recording
Where a parent/carer attends to supervise their child, they remain responsible for their child’s toilet arrangements. If a participant does not return within a reasonable time or there is another concern, TEA will respond in accordance with its safeguarding and missing-child procedures.
TEA seeks separate, optional consent before taking or using identifiable photographs or recordings for promotional purposes. The intended uses, such as the website, social media or printed materials, will be explained.
For participants under 16, permission is required from someone with parental responsibility or appropriate legal authority, alongside the child or young person’s agreement. Participants aged 16 will normally provide their own consent. Promotional use of a participant’s first name requires separate consent.
Declining consent does not affect participation, and anyone’s wish not to be photographed or recorded will be respected.
Parents and carers may take still photographs of their own child, ensuring other participants are not identifiable unless appropriate consent has been given. Photographs featuring others may only be taken or shared with consent from the relevant participants and, where applicable, their parents or carers.
Still photographs of a participant’s own work or participation are permitted, subject to the consent and privacy requirements above. They must not be used to copy or reproduce TEA’s teaching resources.
Participants and accompanying adults must not make video or audio recordings of any part of a workshop, including teaching, demonstrations, discussions or activities. TEA’s worksheets, case materials, presentations and other teaching resources must not be photographed, scanned or otherwise copied without prior written permission, except where permitted by law.
Photography must not disrupt activities and must respect venue restrictions. TEA may restrict or stop photography to protect privacy, safety and teaching materials, and may request deletion or removal of photographs or recordings made or shared in breach of these rules.
15. Intellectual Property
Original TEA workshop plans, case scenarios, worksheets, teaching resources, graphics, branding and written materials remain the intellectual property of TEA or the relevant rights holder.
Materials provided for participants to keep may be used for their own personal learning and enjoyment. They must not be copied, reproduced, published, uploaded, distributed, sold or used to deliver teaching sessions or workshops without TEA’s prior written permission, except where permitted by law.
Participants may keep and photograph their own creations, subject to Section 14. This does not grant permission to copy or reproduce any TEA teaching resources incorporated into them, except where permitted by law.
16. Liability
TEA will provide services with reasonable care and skill. Nothing in these terms excludes liability where exclusion would be unlawful, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or statutory consumer rights that cannot be excluded.
17. Venues
Workshops may take place at third-party venues. Participants and accompanying adults must follow reasonable venue rules and TEA’s instructions about access and use of the premises.
Facilities, accessibility, waiting areas and toilet arrangements vary between venues. Please review the information provided for your workshop and contact TEA before booking if you need to discuss access or support requirements.
Any change to the workshop venue will be handled in accordance with Section 8.
18. Complaints
Concerns may be raised directly with Karina, who will try to resolve them where possible. Formal complaints should normally be emailed to karina@theevidenceacademy.co.uk, including booking details and a description of the concern. Reasonable adjustments will be made where needed.
TEA aims to acknowledge complaints within three working days and provide a full response within fifteen working days. These are target timescales. Illness, holidays or the complexity of a complaint may cause delays. Where reasonably possible, TEA will explain any delay, provide a revised response date and keep the customer informed. Working days mean Monday to Friday excluding Scottish bank holidays.
TEA will listen respectfully and expects respectful communication in return. Abusive, threatening or harassing behaviour may result in a conversation being ended or communication being restricted to writing. The substance of the complaint will still be considered fairly. Being upset, disagreeing or disability-related communication differences do not alone make a complaint abusive.
Urgent safety or safeguarding concerns do not need to follow the ordinary complaints process. You do not need to contact TEA before reporting a safeguarding concern directly to social work or Police Scotland.
19. Personal Information
Personal information will be handled in accordance with TEA’s Privacy Policy and applicable data protection law.
20. Changes to These Terms
TEA may update these terms for future bookings. Each booking will be governed by the version provided when that booking was made, unless a change is required by law or expressly agreed with the customer. Previous versions will be retained.
21. Governing Law
These terms and contracts with TEA are governed by Scots law. Consumers resident elsewhere in the UK may also benefit from mandatory consumer protections applicable where they live. Nothing prevents a consumer from using a court they are legally entitled to use.
22. Statutory Rights
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions affects statutory rights. If any provision is found unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue so far as legally permitted.
Contact: karina@theevidenceacademy.co.uk | 0738 734 7314 | theevidenceacademy.co.uk
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Participants using toilets independently must tell Karina before leaving, request a key where applicable, and report back and return the key afterwards. Toilet facilities and routes may be shared with other venue users or members of the public. TEA does not routinely accompany or supervise journeys to and from the toilets.