Refund & Cancellation Policy
This policy sets out the terms on which The Luminary Compass ("we", "us", "our") issues refunds to anyone who books on one of our CPCAB-accredited counselling skills courses ("you", "the learner"). It forms part of the contract between you and us and applies from the moment you book, whether in person, online, by phone, or by any other means, unless a specific course page states otherwise. By paying your deposit you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted this policy. Please read it before you enrol.
1. Deposit
A non-refundable deposit of £150 is payable at the time of booking to secure your place on the course. The deposit covers administration, enrolment processing, and CPCAB registration work, which you expressly ask us to begin as soon as your booking is confirmed. For this reason the deposit is retained by us in all circumstances once paid, including where you withdraw before the course starts, where you cancel within the statutory cooling-off period described at Section 3, or where you are asked to leave under Section 7.
The deposit forms part of, and is deducted from, the total course fee; it is not an additional charge on top of the advertised price.
2. Course Fees
The remaining course balance is payable according to the schedule confirmed at enrolment (in full, or by instalments where agreed with us in writing). References below to "fees paid" mean all sums paid to us, including the £150 deposit, unless stated otherwise. Refunds of course fees already paid are handled as follows:
Cancellation within the 14-day statutory cooling-off period (see Section 3)
Amount refundable: full refund of fees paid, less the £150 deposit.
£150 deposit: non-refundable.
Withdrawal more than 14 days before the course start date
Amount refundable: 50% of fees paid, less the £150 deposit.
£150 deposit: non-refundable.
Withdrawal within 14 days of the course start date, or after the course has started
Amount refundable: no refund.
£150 deposit: non-refundable.
We cancel or postpone the course
Amount refundable: full refund of all fees paid, including the deposit, or transfer to an alternative cohort at your choice.
£150 deposit: refunded in full.
3. Statutory 14-Day Cooling-Off Period
If you book online, by phone, or by any means other than face-to-face at our premises, you have a legal right under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 to cancel within 14 calendar days of booking. To exercise this right, notify us in writing (email is acceptable) within the 14-day period.
By paying your deposit you expressly request that we begin enrolment services immediately, rather than waiting until the cooling-off period ends. As this work is carried out and cannot be undone, you agree that the £150 deposit reflects the cost of that work and remains non-refundable if you cancel during the cooling-off period; the balance of any fees paid beyond the deposit will be refunded in full.
This statutory right does not apply to bookings made in person at our premises, which are instead governed by Sections 1 and 2 above.
4. Exceptional Circumstances
We recognise that serious illness, bereavement, or significant personal hardship can prevent a student from continuing a course. Where withdrawal is due to such exceptional circumstances, you may submit a written appeal, with supporting evidence where applicable (for example, a medical letter), requesting a discretionary partial refund of course fees for any portion of the course not yet delivered.
Appeals are considered by the Course Director on a case-by-case basis. The £150 deposit remains non-refundable in all cases. Our decision on an exceptional circumstances appeal is final.
5. Change of Tutor
We reserve the right to change tutors from those advertised. A change of tutor does not entitle a student to a refund, provided the course continues to be delivered to the required CPCAB standard.
6. Missed Sessions
Refunds are not offered for individual sessions missed by a student. Depending on CPCAB attendance requirements for the qualification, missed sessions may need to be made up in a later cohort at our discretion; additional charges may apply where this involves a repeated module.
7. Non-Completion or Failure to Meet Course Requirements
Course fees are charged for access to teaching and assessment opportunities, not for the award of a qualification. No refund is given where a student does not complete the portfolio, fails to meet CPCAB assessment criteria, or is asked to leave the course for breach of our code of conduct.
8. Our Right to Cancel or Postpone
We reserve the right to cancel or postpone a course due to insufficient enrolment, tutor unavailability, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control. Where we cancel a course entirely, you will receive a full refund of all fees paid, including the deposit. Where we postpone a course, you may choose either to transfer to the rescheduled or an alternative cohort at no extra cost, or to receive a full refund of all fees paid, including the deposit.
9. How to Request a Refund
To request a refund, contact us in writing at the address below or by email, stating your name, course, cohort dates, and the reason for your request. We aim to acknowledge all refund requests within 5 working days and to process any agreed refund within 14 days of approval. Refunds are made only to the person and payment method originally used to pay, and only once any related third-party finance agreement (see Section 10) has been settled or the finance provider has confirmed the refund arrangement with us.
10. Third-Party Finance
If you fund your course through a third-party finance or instalment provider, you remain responsible for your obligations to that provider under your finance agreement regardless of this policy. Any refund we approve will be paid to the finance provider first, to the extent it has funded your course, with any balance paid to you.
11. General
This policy, together with our course terms and conditions and any written confirmation of your booking, forms the entire agreement between you and us regarding refunds, and supersedes any prior discussion or representation on this subject. We may update this policy from time to time; the version published on our website at the date of your booking applies to your enrolment. This policy is governed by the law of England and Wales, and any dispute arising from it is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. Nothing in this policy affects your other statutory rights.
12. Contact
The Luminary Compass
The Poundbury Therapy Rooms
14 Crown Gate, Poundbury
Dorchester, DT1 3EJ
theluminarycompass.com
This policy was last reviewed August 2026.