CTDC Academy – Terms, Conditions, Refunds and Payments

CTDC Academy – Terms, Conditions, Refunds and Payments

Effective date: 01 January 2026

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern access to and participation in all courses, programmes, live sessions, digital content, and community spaces provided by CTDC Academy, operated by the CTDC Group (“CTDC”, “we”, “us”, “our”). By registering for, accessing, or participating in CTDC Academy services, you (“Learner”, “Participant”, “you”) agree to be bound by these Terms.

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes your statutory rights under applicable UK law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

1. About CTDC Academy

CTDC Academy provides professional learning, training, and educational programmes delivered through blended formats, including recorded digital content, live online sessions, facilitated discussions, and community engagement spaces. Courses may be offered to individual learners and to organisational or institutional clients.

CTDC Academy is rooted in CTDC’s values of justice, care, diversity, accountability, and ethical practice. Participation in Academy activities is conditional on adherence to these values and the policies referenced in these Terms.

2. Scope and Acceptance

These Terms apply to:

  • All learners enrolled in CTDC Academy courses;
  • All users of CTDC Academy digital platforms and community spaces;
  • All live, recorded, synchronous, and asynchronous learning activities;
  • All alumni and community engagement spaces hosted or moderated by CTDC Academy.

By enrolling in a course, creating an account, accessing materials, or participating in any CTDC Academy activity, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these Terms.

CTDC reserves the right to refuse enrolment or access where participation would pose a safeguarding, legal, or reputational risk.

3. Eligibility and Learner Responsibilities

3.1 Eligibility

CTDC Academy courses are intended for adult learners. Participants must be at least 18 years old unless otherwise explicitly stated in writing by CTDC.

3.2 Accurate Information

You must provide accurate, complete, and current information during registration. You are responsible for updating your details where necessary.

3.3 Professional Conduct

You agree to engage in all Academy activities in a professional, respectful, and ethical manner, consistent with CTDC’s Community Guidelines and Safeguarding Policy.

4. User Accounts and Security

4.1 Account Creation

Access to CTDC Academy services may require creating a user account. Each account is personal and non-transferable.

4.2 Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity conducted under your account. Account sharing is prohibited.

4.3 Unauthorised Access

You must notify CTDC immediately if you suspect unauthorised use of your account. CTDC may suspend or restrict access to protect platform integrity and user safety.

5. Payments, Fees, and Refunds

This section forms part of the CTDC Academy contract with you and applies to all paid online courses, blended courses (recorded + live), and related services provided by CTDC Academy (“the Academy”, “we”, “us”). By enrolling in a course, you agree to the payment, cancellation, and refund terms below.

Statutory rights: Nothing in these Terms limits your statutory rights under UK consumer law, including the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

5.1 Payments

  • a) Payment timing: All course fees must be paid in full at the time of enrolment unless otherwise stated in writing (for example, where CTDC issues an invoice to an organisational client).
  • b) Access on payment: Access to course materials is granted only once payment has been successfully processed.
  • c) Pricing transparency: Course fees are displayed at the point of purchase. Any applicable taxes or charges will be shown at checkout.

5.2 Statutory Right to Cancel

Under UK law, you have the right to cancel your purchase within 14 calendar days of the date of enrolment without giving any reason.

However, many CTDC Academy courses are provided as digital content and access begins immediately upon enrolment. By enrolling and accessing the course, you acknowledge and agree that:

  • Delivery of digital content starts immediately; and
  • Your statutory right to cancel may be limited or lost once access to the course content has begun.

5.3 Refund eligibility during the 14-day period

Within the 14-day cooling-off period, a refund will be granted only if all of the following conditions are met:

  • No more than 25% of the course content has been accessed or completed; and
  • No certificate of completion has been issued; and
  • No final assessment or project has been submitted.

If these conditions are not met, CTDC Academy reserves the right to refuse the refund in accordance with UK rules applicable to digital content and services.

5.4 Refunds after the cooling-off period

Refund requests submitted after the 14-day period are not normally eligible.

Refunds outside this period may be considered at CTDC Academy’s discretion in exceptional circumstances, including but not limited to:

  • Serious illness or medical incapacity;
  • Bereavement;
  • Significant technical failure attributable to CTDC Academy that prevents access to the course.

CTDC Academy may request supporting documentation. Decisions made under this clause are final.

5.5 Non-refundable circumstances

Refunds will not be issued where:

  • More than 25% of course content has been accessed;
  • Downloadable materials have been accessed or downloaded;
  • A course certificate has been issued;
  • Access has been revoked due to breach of these Terms;
  • The learner is unable to participate due to personal circumstances, lack of time, or change of mind after accessing the course.

5.6 Live online and cohort-based courses

Where courses include live online sessions or cohort-based delivery:

  • Missed live sessions are not refundable;
  • Recordings (if provided) form part of the course content;
  • Once a live course has commenced, refunds are not normally available.

In exceptional circumstances, learners may be offered, at CTDC Academy’s discretion:

  • Deferral to a future cohort; or
  • Partial credit towards another course.

5.7 Course changes or cancellation by CTDC Academy

If CTDC Academy cancels a course or makes a significant change that materially affects delivery, learners will be entitled to one of the following remedies:

  • A full refund; or
  • An appropriate alternative course.

This will be offered in line with UK consumer protection requirements.

5.8 Refund process

  • a) How to request: Refund requests must be submitted in writing via CTDC Academy’s official contact channels.
  • b) How refunds are paid: Approved refunds will be issued using the original payment method, unless otherwise agreed.
  • c) Processing timeframe: Refunds are typically processed within 5–14 working days, depending on payment providers.
  • d) Processing fees: Any non-recoverable transaction or processing fees charged by third parties may be deducted from the refunded amount.

5.9 Misuse of refund policy

CTDC Academy reserves the right to refuse refund requests where there is evidence of repeated, abusive, fraudulent, or manipulative refund behaviour.

5.10 Amendments to this section

CTDC Academy may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. Any changes to payment, cancellation, and refund terms will apply only to purchases made after the revised Terms are published.

5.11 Checkout consent for immediate digital access

Where a course provides immediate access to digital content, the following enrolment consent must be completed at checkout:

  • ☐ I agree to immediate access to digital course content.
  • ☐ I understand that by accessing the course, I may lose my statutory right to cancel within 14 days.

6. Course Delivery and Access

6.1 Course Formats

Courses may include recorded content, live online sessions, readings, assignments, and facilitated discussions. Delivery formats and schedules are outlined in course descriptions.

6.2 Access

Access to course materials is granted upon successful payment. Access may be time-limited.

6.3 Live Sessions

Attendance at live sessions is the learner’s responsibility. Missed sessions are not refundable. Recordings, where provided, form part of the course content.

6.4 Changes

CTDC reserves the right to make reasonable changes to course content, facilitators, schedules, or delivery methods. Material changes will be communicated in advance where possible.

7. Intellectual Property and Use of Materials

7.1 Ownership

All CTDC Academy content, including course materials, recordings, curricula, logos, and platform content, is protected by copyright and owned by CTDC or its licensors.

7.2 Licence to Learners

You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to access and use course materials solely for personal educational purposes.

7.3 Prohibited Use

You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, sell, adapt, or exploit course materials without prior written permission, except where explicitly licensed otherwise.

7.4 User-Generated Content

You retain ownership of content you contribute. By submitting content, you grant CTDC a licence to use, store, reproduce, and display such content for educational, operational, safeguarding, and quality purposes.

8. Community Guidelines and Code of Conduct

CTDC Academy is committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and safe learning environment.

Participants must:

  • Treat others with dignity, respect, and care;
  • Engage constructively and ethically;
  • Respect diversity of identities, experiences, and viewpoints;
  • Harassment, discrimination, bullying, intimidation, abuse, exploitation, or retaliation are strictly prohibited in any form (including verbal, non-verbal, digital, or physical conduct) and may result in immediate removal from Academy spaces;
  • Refrain from hate speech, sexual misconduct, or exploitation;
  • Respect confidentiality and privacy;
  • Avoid unsolicited promotion, solicitation, or misuse of community spaces.

These principles apply to all Academy spaces, including live sessions, discussion forums, alumni networks, and external platforms linked to CTDC Academy.

9. Safeguarding

9.1 Safeguarding Commitment

CTDC Academy operates under CTDC’s Safeguarding Policy, which is binding on all learners, facilitators, staff, and partners.

9.2 Zero Tolerance

CTDC applies a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, exploitation, harassment, discrimination, negligence, misuse of power, bullying, and retaliation.

9.3 Mandatory Reporting

Safeguarding concerns must be reported immediately through CTDC’s safeguarding channels. Failure to report may constitute a breach of these Terms.

9.4 Protective Measures

CTDC may impose precautionary measures, including suspension or restriction of access, where safeguarding risks are identified.

10. Moderation, Enforcement, and Sanctions

10.1 Moderation Rights

CTDC reserves the right to monitor, moderate, and manage all Academy spaces.

10.2 Enforcement Actions

Where these Terms, Community Guidelines, or Safeguarding Policy are breached, CTDC may take action including:

  • Content removal;
  • Warnings;
  • Temporary suspension;
  • Permanent removal or banning from courses or community spaces;
  • Revocation of certificates;
  • Termination of access without refund;
  • Referral to authorities where required.

10.3 No Right of Appeal for Safeguarding Sanctions

Decisions taken on safeguarding grounds prioritise safety and are final.

11. Complaints and Concerns

Learners may submit complaints regarding course delivery or conduct via CTDC’s official contact channels. Complaints will be handled fairly, confidentially, and in line with CTDC procedures.

Safeguarding concerns must follow safeguarding reporting procedures and are handled separately from general complaints.

12. Data Protection and Privacy

CTDC processes personal data in accordance with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Details are set out in CTDC’s Privacy Policy.

Participants must not misuse personal data of others accessed through Academy activities.

13. Limitation of Liability

These Terms do not limit or exclude CTDC’s responsibility for death or personal injury caused by negligence, for fraud or dishonest misrepresentation, or for any rights or liabilities that cannot be excluded under UK law.

Subject to this, CTDC’s liability is limited to the amount paid for the relevant course. CTDC is not liable for indirect or consequential losses.

14. Termination

CTDC may terminate or suspend access to services immediately where these Terms are breached or where safeguarding risks arise. Termination may occur without refund.

15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction.

16. Amendments

CTDC may update these Terms from time to time. Updated Terms apply to new enrolments from the date of publication.

17. Contact

For general enquiries: IT@ctdc.org