Third Party Payment Policy

Jireh Wellbeing recognises that, in some circumstances, the individual receiving counselling may not be the person responsible for arranging appointments or making payments. This policy outlines the roles, responsibilities, and agreements required where a third party is funding therapy.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure clarity regarding payment obligations, communication, confidentiality, and consent.

Definitions

Client: The individual receiving counselling or therapeutic services.
Paying Party: The individual, parent, carer, organisation, or representative responsible for paying for therapy sessions.
Authorised Representative: An individual authorised by the client to communicate with Jireh Wellbeing regarding appointments, payments, or administrative matters.

Agreement Requirements

Where the paying party is not the client, both the client and the paying party must sign the relevant contracts before services commence or continue.

These agreements will clarify:

The therapeutic relationship
Payment responsibilities
Confidentiality arrangements
Communication permissions
Cancellation terms
Consent for administrative discussions

Jireh Wellbeing reserves the right to pause or decline services where the required agreements have not been completed.

Financial Responsibility

The paying party agrees to:

Pay all session fees by the agreed deadline.
Pay any applicable cancellation or non-attendance fees.
Ensure payment details remain up to date.
Notify Jireh Wellbeing if they no longer intend to fund sessions.

The client remains responsible for attending appointments and complying with practice policies regardless of who is funding therapy.

Cancellation and Non-Attendance Fees

Where a paying party has agreed to fund therapy:

Any cancellation fee remains payable by the paying party unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Cancellation by either the client or the paying party will be treated as a cancellation of the appointment.
The paying party remains responsible for fees arising from cancellations made within the cancellation period.

Confidentiality

The client remains the primary client of Jireh Wellbeing regardless of who pays for therapy.

Payment of fees does not automatically entitle a paying party to access:

Session content
Clinical records
Assessments
Therapist opinions
Confidential information

Information will only be shared:

With the client's written consent;
Where required by law;
Where safeguarding obligations apply.

Communication with Paying Parties

Where consent has been provided, Jireh Wellbeing may communicate with the paying party regarding:

Appointment bookings
Appointment cancellations
Invoices
Outstanding balances
Payment arrangements
Administrative matters

Clinical information will not be discussed unless specifically authorised by the client or required by law.

Changes to Funding Arrangements

If a paying party wishes to stop funding therapy, Jireh Wellbeing must be notified in writing.

The client may choose to:

Continue therapy and become financially responsible themselves; or
End therapy services.

Any outstanding fees incurred before notification remain payable by the original paying party.

Minors and Young People

Where fees remain unpaid, Jireh Wellbeing reserves the right to:

Pause future appointments.
Require payment in advance.
Recover outstanding fees.
Discontinue services where appropriate.

Agreement

By signing the counselling agreement, the client and paying party confirm that they:

Understand their respective roles and responsibilities.
Agree to the cancellation policy and payment terms.
Understand the limits of confidentiality.
Consent to the communication arrangements outlined in this policy.