Knights of the Shed – Social Skills Programs

Knights of the Shed Programs, Attendance, Invoicing & Absences

Consistent attendance supports both yourself and us to build professional relationships, identify additional support requirements, review progress and provide a consistent and predictable environment for you and your fellow Participants. Frequent absences may result in a request by the Program Manager for a conversation to determine the best way forward.  Please contact KOTS if you are experiencing difficulties with attendance.  

INVOICES, ABSENCES & CANCELLATIONS: 

  • Term long programs are invoiced fortnightly
  • Holiday programs are invoiced at the end of service delivery.
  • If enrolling after the program has begun, then invoicing is from the date of the participant’s first session. Your trial session (if you chose to have one) will be included in your invoice, once you have opted to enrol.  
  • If a participant misses a single session, then they are still charged for the session unless they have provided 7 working days’ notice of intention to be absent.  Short notice cancellations will be billed in full.
  • Cancellation of enrolment may incur cancellation fees up to 90% of the agreed price if written notice is not given within the timeframe specified above. 
  • In the unlikely event that Knights of the Shed is not able to provide a session then the amount for that session will not be billed. 

Exceptions may apply to the above rules. Please contact us to discuss alternative invoice arrangements.  

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS & DEBT COLLECTION:

Payment Terms: Participants (or their nominated advocate e.g. parent) are responsible for paying all fees and charges associated with their enrolment and program participation in a timely manner. Payment plans may be available upon request and approval.

Overdue Accounts: If a participant’s account becomes overdue and a resolution has not been forthcoming, Knights of the Shed will take the following actions:

  • Issue a final notice
  • Engage a debt collection agency, such as Tas Collections.
  • Add debt collection fees and interest to the outstanding balance.
  • In the event that a participant (or their nominated advocate e.g. parent) ceases communications in relation to overdue accounts with Knights of the Shed and/or their bookkeeping service, debt collection will proceed as outlined above. 

Debt Collection Fees: If a debt collection agency is engaged, the participant may be responsible for paying additional fees and interest. The specific fees will be determined by the debt collection agency and may vary.

Enrolment Eligibility: Participants with outstanding invoices and without a documented communication or payment plan may be ineligible for continued enrolment or program participation.

Your Responsibilities 

Enrolment in the above service/s means that you agree to: 

  • Disclose information, reports and assessments relevant to your needs, safety and the safety of others in this program (medical, behavioural, psychological etc.). 
  • Follow all reasonable requests and instructions given by staff of KOTS.  
  • Remain within the therapy space and to notify a staff member of KOTS before leaving (e.g.  toilet, food, drink, collection at end of the session). 
  • Respect the rights of others in the group to participate, learn and have fun.
  • Provide KOTS with at least 7 working days written notice via email at administration@knightsoftheshed.com.au if you wish to cancel your intention of enrolment 
  • Support workers must follow further guidelines available upon request or on site. 
  • Drop off and pick up the enrolling participant in a timely manner directly to the program space, OR ensure the participant is capable of self-delivery and inform KOTS. 

Our Responsibilities 

We agree to: 

  • Deliver service for the dates, times and costs established on your enrolment form and summarised in your individualised Terms of Service Agreement which will be sent to you following enrolment. 
  • Work with you to do our best to accommodate your individual needs (medical, behavioural, psychological) within the program. 
  • Be respectful in our interactions with you and provide a welcoming and safe space for you to belong. 
  • Not charge cancellation fees for absences or enrolment cancellations made 7 days prior to the day booked or day Small Group  Program commences. 
  • Declare relevant prices to you before delivering a service (available on the enrolment form)
  • Ensure your private information is stored securely and kept private:  KOTS Privacy Statement

Emergency and disaster management

Should an emergency or disaster occur while you are in attendance at our office / service, pre planned procedures will occur to maximise safety and minimise harm and disruption to your service. The procedures can be viewed here.

In addition

Personal Emergency Preparation Plan information has been identified during your initial intake and is updated based on observations.  This information is contained in your private Participant Support Plan and identifies additional supports you have in addition to the ones listed above.  For example:

–        Disability Support worker for co-regulation

–        Positive Behaviour Support Plan

–        Medical Alert & Food Preferences

Should you require additional support that we are unable to provide, we can assist you to identify and refer you to an appropriate service. If we are no longer able to provide a service you require then we will assist you to identify a similarly matched to support you.

Disruptions and changes

Knights of the Shed notifies participants when an unavoidable interruption occurs. The staff will attempt to inform the participants, via telephone and email, before any unavoidable disruptions to services or participant appointments. When it is impossible to contact the participant, they will be briefed on arrival at the next meeting or scheduled service.

The Manager will contact a participant to:

–        inform and explain that there is an unavoidable change

–        seek the participant’s agreement and ensure that they are entirely aware of any changes

–        explain, in detail, alternative arrangements.

–        ask the participant if they agree with the proposed arrangement

–        participant to confirm their agreement or refuse the alternative arrangement

–        record details of agreed arrangement or non-agreement in the participant’s records

–        confirm that the delivered services were appropriate to their needs, preference and goals

 In the case of an emergency, when a worker cannot attend work due to circumstances out of their control (e.g., illness or family emergency), Knights of the Shed will attempt to place a known worker to the participant. However, if this is not possible, we will send the best match available to the participant. Knights of the Shed will contact the participant, advise them of the situation, and provide details of the changes and plan and consult about contingencies with you.

Positive Engagement 

Participants are expected to remain in the therapy space for the duration of the program.  Adult participants are requested to let staff know if they are leaving the building. 

We want participants to experience success and will work to provide strategies, reframing and consultation with key stakeholders to build participant confidence and skill. 

Abusive and/or Unlawful Behaviours 

  • The staff at KOTS understand that participants engage in a variety of learned behaviour to express their needs. KOTS reserves the right to pause service for a participant until safety concerns are addressed through risk management, negotiations between stakeholders and written documentation of risk management strategies. 
  • If an incident occurs at KOTS, an incident report, investigation and assessment will be completed by the relevant staff, Program Manager and KOTS psychologist.  The outcome may result in an alternative Program being offered or termination of enrolment.  In some instances planning time may incur a service cost to be agreed in writing before planning proceeds.  
  • If a participant’s behaviour consistently violates the boundaries of other participants, staff or members of the public in a persistent, unsafe or unlawful manner, then their enrolment in the program will be terminated.

Duty of Care 

  • KOTS staff will not be able to care for the participant outside of allocated program times. Doors open 15 minutes prior to sessions commencing. 
  • KOTS is unable to maintain Duty of Care of participants outside of the building. If a participant leaves,  KOTS will do their best to re-engage the participant and will contact parents/carers to transfer Duty of  Care as necessary. The participant may be able to re-join, provided they are able to renew their commitment to the group via a restorative conversation.  
  • Where there is an identified risk to the safety of self or others (physical, emotional etc.), it may be required that the participant have a support worker and they retain Duty of Care for the duration of the program.

Complaints and Feedback 

We welcome any feedback, both informal and formal. 

If you need to lodge a complaint or provide feedback please email administration@knightsoftheshed.com.au to receive information regarding our complaint’s procedure or view the procedure here:  KOTS complaints & Feedback  

Changes to your Booking 

If your program does not attract the minimum number of participants, we will contact you and negotiate how best to proceed.  This may result in a change of booking or cancellation of enrolment; a cancellation fee will not apply. 

If KOTS is required to cancel a Program due to unforeseen circumstances, you will be offered priority in rescheduling for a future program. 

An enrolment or booking may be changed in negotiation between both you and KOTS, provided that this occurs at least seven days prior to the program commencing. 

Other Available Services 

  • For a fee, Knights of the Shed can provide Progress reports & Recommendations upon request. 
  • Subject to calendar schedules, Program staff may be able to provide consultancy and attend Case Conferences / Planning Meetings at relevant professional hourly rates. Please contact enquiries@knightsoftheshed.com.au to discuss further.

Ending this agreement

Should we require this agreement to end, we will provide 7 days’ notice. If there is a serious breach of this agreement, then the requirement of notice will be waived and the enrolment terminated.

Last updated September 2025