Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Striving for Inclusion CIC ("SFI", "we", "us", or "our") governing your use of our website, services, programs, and platforms.

By accessing or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use our services.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting. Your continued use of our services following any changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

2. About Striving for Inclusion

Striving for Inclusion is a Community Interest Company registered in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2024. We support families with children who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through:

• Consultation sessions and tailored support
• Educational resources and advocacy
• Community programs and cultural activities
• Workshops and training events
• Volunteer and ambassador programs

We operate in the United Kingdom (primarily Leeds) and Senegal, serving diverse communities with particular focus on families from Senegambian backgrounds.

3. Eligibility and User Accounts

3.1 Age Requirements

Our services are intended for:

• Adults (18 years or older) who are parents, guardians, educators, or professionals
• Organizations, schools, and partners working with SEND communities

If you are under 18, you may only use our services with the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian.

3.2 Account Information

When registering for services or creating an account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and update your information as necessary
• Keep your login credentials secure and confidential
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account

4. Use of Our Services

4.1 Permitted Use

You may use our services for lawful purposes to:

• Access information and resources about SEND support
• Register for workshops, events, and consultation sessions
• Apply for volunteer or ambassador positions
• Make donations to support our mission
• Subscribe to newsletters and updates
• Engage with our community through comments and feedback

4.2 Prohibited Use

You agree NOT to:

• Use our services for any illegal or unauthorized purpose
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users or children
• Submit false, misleading, or fraudulent information
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or data
• Interfere with the proper functioning of our website or services
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) without permission
• Reproduce, distribute, or modify our content without authorization
• Post or share inappropriate, offensive, or harmful content
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations

5. Services and Programs

5.1 Consultation and Support Services

Our consultation services provide information, guidance, and emotional support for families navigating SEND systems. These services:

• Are provided for informational and support purposes only
• Do not constitute professional medical, legal, or therapeutic advice
• Should not replace consultations with qualified professionals
• May be subject to scheduling changes or cancellations with reasonable notice

5.2 Workshops and Events

When you register for workshops or events:

• Registration confirmations will be sent to the email address provided
• You agree to attend or notify us of cancellations in advance
• We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule events with reasonable notice
• Photography or recording may occur for promotional purposes (you may opt out)

5.3 Volunteer and Ambassador Programs

Participation in volunteer or ambassador programs requires:

• Completion of the application process and background checks (where applicable)
• Adherence to our Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies
• Commitment to the agreed schedule and responsibilities
• Respect for confidentiality and data protection requirements

5.4 Donations

All donations are:

• Voluntary and non-refundable (except in cases of processing errors)
• Processed securely through Stripe payment platform
• Used exclusively to support SFI's mission and community programs
• Acknowledged with a confirmation receipt

We do not store credit card information. All payment data is handled by Stripe in compliance with PCI-DSS standards.

6. Content and Intellectual Property

6.1 Our Content

All content on our website and platforms, including text, images, graphics, logos, blog posts, newsletters, and educational materials, is owned by SFI or our content contributors and is protected by copyright and intellectual property laws.

You may view and download content for personal, non-commercial use only. Any reproduction, distribution, modification, or commercial use requires our written permission.

6.2 User-Generated Content

When you submit content (comments, feedback, testimonials, blog contributions):

• You retain ownership of your content
• You grant SFI a non-exclusive, worldwide license to use, display, and distribute your content for our organizational purposes
• You represent that you have the right to submit the content and that it does not violate any third-party rights
• We reserve the right to moderate, edit, or remove content that violates these Terms or is inappropriate

Blog posts by young contributors (Fatima, Mame, Khady, and others) are published with appropriate consent and credit to the authors.

7. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

7.1 Service Availability

We strive to maintain continuous service availability but cannot guarantee uninterrupted access. Our services are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.

We are not liable for service interruptions, technical issues, or data loss resulting from factors beyond our control.

7.2 Information and Advice

While we work with knowledgeable individuals and strive to provide accurate information:

• Our support services are peer-based and experiential, not professional medical, legal, or therapeutic advice
• Information is provided for general educational purposes
• You should consult qualified professionals for specific medical, legal, or therapeutic needs
• We are not responsible for decisions or actions taken based on information from our services

7.3 Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or resources. We do not endorse or assume responsibility for the content, privacy practices, or services of these external sites.

7.4 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, SFI shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly, or any loss of data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses resulting from:

• Your use or inability to use our services
• Any unauthorized access to or use of our servers or personal information
• Any interruption or cessation of transmission to or from our services
• Any errors or omissions in content or materials

8. Safeguarding and Child Protection

As an organization working with families with children who have SEND, we are committed to safeguarding:

• All staff, volunteers, and ambassadors undergo appropriate background checks
• We follow safeguarding best practices and legal requirements
• We will report concerns about child welfare to appropriate authorities
• Content featuring children is published only with explicit parental consent

If you have safeguarding concerns, please contact us immediately through our secure contact channels.

9. Privacy and Data Protection

Your use of our services is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information in compliance with GDPR and UK data protection laws.

Please review our Privacy Policy to understand our data practices. By using our services, you consent to the collection and use of information as described in our Privacy Policy.

10. Termination and Suspension

We reserve the right to:

• Suspend or terminate your access to our services for violation of these Terms
• Remove content that violates our policies or is harmful
• Refuse service to anyone for any lawful reason
• Modify or discontinue services with reasonable notice

You may stop using our services at any time. Upon termination, certain provisions of these Terms will survive, including intellectual property rights, disclaimers, and limitations of liability.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SFI, its directors, employees, volunteers, and partners from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your use of our services, violation of these Terms, or infringement of any third-party rights.

12. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

12.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. For services provided in Senegal, local laws may also apply where relevant.

12.2 Dispute Resolution

In the event of any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of our services:

• We encourage informal resolution through direct communication
• If informal resolution fails, disputes may be submitted to mediation
• Legal proceedings shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales

13. Changes to Services and Terms

We reserve the right to:

• Modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of our services
• Update these Terms at any time
• Change fees or introduce new charges (with reasonable notice)

Material changes to these Terms will be communicated through website notices or email notifications. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

14. Severability and Waiver

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights.

15. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and SFI regarding the use of our services and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

16. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: