Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions

PETMA™ Train-the-Trainer (TTT) – NCSE Project

PETMA™ Train-the-Trainer (TTT) – NCSE Project

Terms and Conditions Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set out the terms and conditions governing participation in the PETMA™ Train-the-Trainer (TTT) Programme commissioned by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and delivered by the National Institute of Intellectual Disability Studies (NIIDS).

This policy provides a clear governance framework to protect:

  • learner and staff safety
  • assessment integrity
  • public confidence
  • alignment with Department of Education policy and the NCSE RELATE framework
  • PETMA™ model fidelity

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • all individuals enrolled as PETMA™ Trainers-in-Training under the NCSE programme
  • all PETMA™ Master Trainers involved in delivery, assessment, or assurance
  • NIIDS personnel supporting programme delivery and governance
  • all PETMA™ materials, assessments, portfolios, and digital platforms used within the NCSE project
  • all modes of delivery (online learning, face-to-face training, portfolio, mentorship, and assessment)

3. Definitions

  • NIIDS: National Institute of Intellectual Disability Studies
  • NCSE: National Council for Special Education
  • PETMA™: Professional Ethical Therapeutic Mindful Approach
  • TTT: Train-the-Trainer Programme
  • Trainer-in-Training: An individual enrolled on PETMA™ TTT who is not yet authorised
  • Authorised PETMA™ Trainer: An individual authorised by NIIDS to deliver PETMA™ within the NCSE programme
  • Master Trainer: A NIIDS-appointed PETMA™ Master Trainer with responsibility for delivery, assessment, and assurance

4. Policy Statement

The PETMA™ TTT NCSE Programme is a national, governance-led, prevention-first and regulation-first programme.

Authorisation to deliver PETMA™ under the NCSE programme:

  • is conditional, time-limited, and non-transferable
  • is granted only following successful assessment and NIIDS assurance
  • does not arise automatically from attendance or partial completion

Participation in the programme is subject to full compliance with these Terms and Conditions.

5. Terms and Conditions

5.1 Enrolment and Eligibility

  • Enrolment is confirmed only once all eligibility, registration, and programme requirements are met.
  • Nomination by an organisation does not guarantee authorisation.
  • NIIDS reserves the right to refuse or withdraw enrolment where participation presents a risk to safety, professional standards, programme integrity, or PETMA™ fidelity.

5.2 Programme Requirements

To be eligible for PETMA™ Trainer authorisation under the NCSE programme, Trainers-in-Training must:

  • complete all required online modules
  • attend all required face-to-face training days
  • submit and pass all portfolio and assessment components within specified timelines
  • demonstrate safe, ethical, proportionate, and least-restrictive practice
  • demonstrate congruence between knowledge, rationale, and applied practice

Partial completion does not confer authorisation.

5.3 Assessment, Authorisation, and Quality Assurance

  • Authorisation is granted only following successful assessment and NIIDS quality assurance.
  • NIIDS may defer authorisation, require additional learning, or refuse authorisation where required standards are not met.
  • All authorisation decisions are governed by PETMA™ assurance frameworks and are final.

5.4 Scope of Authorised Practice and Fidelity

  • Authorised PETMA™ Trainers may deliver only the PETMA™ content, levels, and formats for which they are explicitly authorised under the NCSE programme.
  • PETMA™ language, frameworks, sequencing, and intent must be delivered as designed.
  • PETMA™ must not be altered, blended, diluted, or presented outside its prevention-first, regulation-first framework.

5.5 Professional Conduct and Safeguarding

  • All participants are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.
  • Safety, dignity, proportionality, and least-restrictive practice are non-negotiable.
  • NIIDS reserves the right to remove any participant whose conduct, attitude, or practice poses risk to learners, staff, or programme integrity.

5.6 Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

  • All portfolio submissions, reflective work, assessments, and evidence submitted as part of the PETMA™ TTT programme must be the original work of the Trainer-in-Training, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
  • Plagiarism, including but not limited to:
    • copying or closely paraphrasing another person’s work without acknowledgement
    • submitting another individual’s work as one’s own
    • re-using previously submitted work without permission
    • unauthorised use or reproduction of PETMA™ materials
      constitutes a serious breach of programme requirements.
  • NIIDS reserves the right to use plagiarism-detection tools and professional judgement when reviewing submissions.
  • Confirmed plagiarism may result in:
    • failure of the relevant assessment component
    • non-authorisation or withdrawal of authorisation
    • exclusion from the programme

5.7 Fees, Mobilisation, and Programme Costs

  • Fees, mobilisation costs, and payment arrangements are governed by the NIIDS–NCSE contract.
  • Mobilisation and preparatory costs incurred in good faith to ensure national delivery readiness may be payable in accordance with contractual terms, even where delivery is delayed or paused.
  • Participation or progression may be suspended where contractual obligations are not met.

5.8 Intellectual Property and Use of Materials

  • All PETMA™ materials remain the intellectual property of NIIDS.
  • Materials may not be copied, recorded, shared, adapted, or reproduced without written consent.
  • Trainer authorisation does not confer ownership of PETMA™ intellectual property.

5.9 Digital Platforms and Access

  • Access to PETMA™ digital platforms is role-specific and time-limited.
  • Login details must not be shared.
  • NIIDS may suspend or terminate access where misuse or breach occurs.

5.10 Confidentiality and Data Protection

  • Participants must respect the confidentiality of case discussions, reflective material, and shared information.
  • Personal data is processed in accordance with GDPR and NIIDS Data Protection Policy.

5.11 Suspension or Withdrawal of Authorisation

NIIDS may suspend or withdraw PETMA™ Trainer authorisation where:

  • PETMA™ fidelity is breached
  • plagiarism or assessment misconduct is identified
  • safeguarding or safety concerns arise
  • professional or ethical standards are not maintained
  • governance or reputational risk is identified

Action taken will be proportionate to the level of risk and may be temporary or permanent.

6. Acceptance of Terms

Participation in the PETMA™ TTT NCSE Programme, access to programme materials, or progression through the programme constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

7. Monitoring, Review, and Governance

This policy is reviewed in line with:

  • NIIDS governance arrangements
  • NCSE oversight expectations
  • Department of Education policy developments

8. Related Policies and Documents

  • NIIDS–NCSE Contract
  • PETMA™ TTT Governance and Assurance Framework
  • Safeguarding Policy
  • Data Protection Policy
  • Plagiarism Policy
  • Assessment of Learners Policy
  • Complaints Policy
  • PETMA™ Trainer MoU
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