Options Holidays - Supported Holidays For People With Learning Disabilities

Terms and Conditions

On booking a holiday with ‘Options Holidays

1. The Client should telephone to check availability of the holiday that the client desires.

2. The Client must complete a booking form in full and return it with a deposit of 25% of the full cost of the holiday within 10 working days for the booking to be accepted as provisionally booked.

3. Full payment of the balance is due 56 days prior to the holiday commencement.

4. For all UK holidays, clients are advised to subscribe to some form of sickness cancellation insurance, as, should they need to cancel their holiday, they would still be required to pay the balance. For all foreign holidays, comprehensive travel insurance is essential. The Client must provide us with evidence of this insurance 28 days prior to departure.

5. Most holidays require a minimum number of people to make them viable. Should we fail to achieve the minimum numbers required on the client’s holiday, or any event in our opinion renders the holiday unsafe, we reserve the right either to return the clients monies without further compensation or offer the client an alternative holiday. We would normally try to give the client a month’s notice in such an event.

6. Invoices will normally be sent directly to the client unless it is clearly indicated on the booking form that it is to be sent to a third party.

7. The Clients holiday package is inclusive of basic support and supervision, providing always that we are informed of the true nature of the clients disability and given a reasonable amount of information regarding their needs, which must include any details of behavioural disorders, and any behaviour which might prove unacceptable to members of the public (please note we rarely refuse to take a client, we only do so if we feel that we would not be able to cope with their needs). On receipt of the booking form, we will review each client’s needs and we may levy an extra charge if we deem it necessary. It is imperative that the booking form is completed fully as this does constitute a care plan for those requiring extra support. The client is responsible for providing their own personal aids, e.g. incontinence aids such as mattress covers and pads, and wheelchairs.

8. The package includes full board, (excepting drinks), which will on most days include some form of picnic or sandwich meal. Accommodation will normally be in a shared room (normally 2 or 3 to a room). Single rooms are sometimes available, for which there is an extra charge, and should be requested at the time of booking.

9. Holidays begin at the venue, or at an airport or port as notified. It is the clients responsibility to ensure that they are at the departure point or venue in plenty of time, and although we would always endeavour to wait as long as possible, we cannot be held responsible if we have to begin the holiday without the client due to their late arrival. It is also the client’s responsibility to ensure that they are met at the venue or arrivals point at the port or airport promptly and appropriately.

10. If it is possible for us to assist with transport to and/or from the holiday we will write to the client at our earliest convenience to inform that transport is available and provide details of meeting points, time and cost etc. This service is entirely at our discretion and based on availability. Clients are requested not to bring excessive or inappropriate luggage. If travelling on our transport, suitcases are not allowed, soft bags are.

11. We do not agree to care for the client’s luggage, that is the client’s responsibility. We will however, agree to assist the client with their luggage at their request, or as needs arise, but cannot accept liability for it or for any damage howsoever caused. For this reason we recommend the client takes out insurance.

12. The Clients package also includes outings to points of interest or activities most days of the holiday, and the client would normally be given the opportunity to influence the type and nature of these, and all meals out, from a choice indicated to the client at the time. If the client indicates they require meals above the choice we offer, then the difference between the costs are the responsibility of the client.

13. Not included in the package are, drinks, snacks, personal items of expenditure such as cards, gifts, sweets, etc. Transport to and from home to the meeting point or venue, medical expenses, postage, telephone calls, room service at hotels, laundry, anything not specifically included and notified to the client in writing as part of the package are excluded and for which cost the client is personally liable. The client must ensure that they have sufficient monies to meet these needs. We also do not include in our costs personal travel insurance, or cancellation insurance, or taxes as may be levied by governments (excepting airport tax notified to us at the time of booking the flights) or tips.

14. We will endeavour to send details of travel times, meeting points, clothes lists and other information in good time for the clients holiday, however, we must advise the client that flight times, etc can change at short notice and are outside of our control. In this event we would make every effort reasonable to contact the client and advise the client of the change. But it is the client’s responsibility to confirm travel details with us prior to the departure date, in writing.

15. The client is responsible for ensuring that they have a valid passport and visas if required for the holiday. Although we will endeavour to inform you of any specific rules and regulations concerning foreign holidays, these are constantly changing e.g. many countries now require a passport to be valid for 6 months on return to the UK. It is ultimately the client’s responsibility to ensure they are fully informed. If requested we will arrange for the safe keeping of such items and some amounts of currency provided it is understood that we will not be held liable for their loss or damage and that these items are insured.

16. Luggage space is often limited, so we request that clients only bring one item of luggage with them, and restrict it to a medium sized suitcase or equivalent. Wheelchairs and personal aids, or large items of luggage must be advised to us in writing, before the commencement of the holiday.

17. Smoking is not allowed in any vehicle, or accommodation, except in certain hotel public areas. This restriction is at the request of clients, and for their health and safety.

18. Excursions are included in the package. These are generally chosen by a majority vote of the clients on that holiday, from a selection offered to them by us at the beginning of the holiday. Clients would generally be expected to participate in all the excursions unless there is sufficient staff available to escort them and those clients taking part in the excursion. If a client does ‘opt out’ of any excursion it may not be possible to provide an alternative or refund.

Please note that the term ‘client’ means the person taking the holiday or the person or organisation who undertakes to make the booking on their behalf and is thereby deemed to be their representative. The person signing the booking form is held contractually liable for the booking. The booking of a holiday and completion of the booking form implies acceptance of these conditions.