Payment & Charging Policy

Effective date: 23 February 2026

1. Purpose of This Policy

This Payment & Charging Policy outlines the financial terms for services provided by Sky Social Work, including Mental Capacity Assessments (MCA), deputyship-related support, additional visit charges, and conditions for retaining or refunding deposits.
Its purpose is to ensure transparency, fairness, and a clear understanding between Sky Social Work and all clients.

2. Deposit Requirements

2.1

  • A 50% deposit of the projected total cost must be paid before any assessment visit is completed.

  • The deposit confirms the booking, secures practitioner time, and covers travel and attendance for the assessment.

  • The deposit is deducted from the final invoice once the full assessment process has been completed.

2.2 Purpose of the Deposit

The 50% deposit protects Sky Social Work and is non-refundable in situations where:

The MCA is completed but the client chooses not to proceed with the Court of Protection deputyship application.

3. Validity of Mental Capacity Assessments & COP3 Forms

3.1 COP3 Completion Window, capacity assessments must be time & question specific

  • Sky Social Work will only complete and issue a COP3 form within 3 months of the date the MCA was conducted.

  • Should the 3month period expire, the client will require reassessment to support the COP3 application.

 3.2 Delayed Payment & Expired COP3 Window

  • If final payment is delayed and the 3‑month period expires, Sky Social Work cannot issue the COP3 form.

  • A new assessment must be undertaken at full cost.

  • The initial deposit is not refundable in this scenario.

4. Rescheduling of Visits

4.1 Rescheduling Due to Client Illness

If a visit must be rescheduled because the client is unwell or temporarily unable to engage meaningfully:

  • The deposit will NOT be lost.

  • Sky Social Work will arrange a new appointment without additional charge for the first reschedule.

4.2 Rescheduling Due to Sky Social Work Circumstances

If Sky Social Work must rearrange the visit due to illness, emergencies, staff availability, or safety concerns; the deposit remains valid, and a new appointment will be scheduled with no additional fee.

4.3 Repeated Rescheduling

If repeated rescheduling occurs for any reason:

  • Additional charges may apply to cover lost time and scheduling impact.

  • Sky Social Work will notify the client before applying such charges.

5. Additional Visit Fees

5.1 Second or Additional Visits

If a second or subsequent visit is necessary due to complexity, communication barriers, risk factors, or incomplete information:

  • Additional visits will be charged at an hourly rate of £85 per hour.

  • This hourly rate covers, assessment time, research, documentation, and professional judgement and analysis.

6. Attendance of Two Social Workers

6.1 When Two Practitioners May Be Required:

  • There are significant risk factors

  • Safeguarding concerns are present

  • Communication, behaviour, or environment increases complexity

  • To ensure thorough professional judgement and analysis in complex situations ‑professional approach is needed to ensure a lawful and safe assessment

  • Situations arise in which a single practitioner cannot safely complete the assessment

6.2 Charges for Attendance of Two Social Workers‑Worker Attendance

  • When two social workers are required, the hourly rate is charged per worker, meaning:
    £85 per hour × 2 = £170 per hour

7. Final Invoice & Payment Terms

7.1 Final Balance

  • The remaining 50% balance is due once the contracted work has been completed and prior to release to the client.

  • Additional charges such as; specialist communication support – interpretation, Speech & Language input will be itemised in the final invoice.‑worker attendance) will be itemised in the final invoice.

7.2 Payment Deadline

  • Payment deadlines will be clearly communicated.

  • Late payment may result in delays in issuing documentation and, if the 3month limit expires, documentation will not be released ‑month limit expires, a requirement for reassessment.

8. Client Acknowledgment

By paying your deposit, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to this Payment & Charging Policy and our full Terms & Conditions