Counsellor Terms of Engagement

These Counsellor Terms of Engagement ("Terms") govern the relationship between LOPEX UNICONS LTD (trading as UNICONS), a company registered in England and Wales, with its registered office at 214 High Street, Second Floor, Hounslow, TW3 1HB, London, United Kingdom ("UNICONS"), and the individual or entity accepting these Terms ("Counsellor").

The Counsellor may engage with UNICONS in one of two capacities:

(a) Employed Counsellor: Where the Counsellor is directly employed by UNICONS or by a partner institution or agency operating under a formal staffing arrangement with UNICONS. Employed Counsellors are subject to the employment law protections and obligations applicable in England and Wales in addition to these Terms. In the event of any conflict between these Terms and a contract of employment, the contract of employment shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.

(b) Contracted Counsellor: Where the Counsellor operates as an independent contractor or consultant engaged by UNICONS under a separate service agreement. Contracted Counsellors are self-employed for tax and National Insurance purposes and are responsible for their own tax affairs. Nothing in these Terms creates, or shall be construed as creating, an employment relationship, partnership, or agency between UNICONS and a Contracted Counsellor.

Regardless of engagement type, all Counsellors are bound by the professional, ethical, and data obligations set out in these Terms, the Counsellor Confidentiality Agreement, and the Counsellor Code of Ethics. Acceptance of these Terms constitutes a binding agreement between the Counsellor and UNICONS.

Counsellors are responsible for delivering high-quality, student-centred guidance through the UNICONS platform. The core scope of responsibilities includes, but is not limited to, the following:

2.1 Student Profile Review The Counsellor shall conduct thorough and diligent reviews of each student's academic history, qualifications, English language proficiency, financial circumstances, and personal statements before making any recommendation. The Counsellor is responsible for identifying gaps, inconsistencies, or areas of concern in student profiles and raising these with the student and, where appropriate, with UNICONS staff.

2.2 University and Course Recommendations The Counsellor shall provide impartial and evidence-based recommendations for universities, colleges, and courses that are genuinely suitable for each student based on the student's academic profile, stated goals, financial situation, and personal preferences. Recommendations must be made in good faith, drawing on current and accurate knowledge of entry requirements, course content, and institutional standing.

2.3 Application Support The Counsellor shall assist students in preparing and submitting applications through the UNICONS platform, including reviewing personal statements, ensuring supporting documents meet institutional requirements, and verifying the accuracy of information submitted. The Counsellor must not submit, alter, or approve any application containing false, misleading, or fabricated information.

2.4 Visa Guidance Coordination The Counsellor may provide general, publicly available information regarding UK student visa categories, application processes, and typical documentation requirements. The Counsellor shall not provide regulated immigration advice unless they hold a current, valid authorisation from the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) or are otherwise exempt under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Where a student requires regulated immigration advice, the Counsellor shall refer the student to an appropriately authorised adviser and shall document such referrals within the UNICONS platform.

2.5 Ongoing Student Support The Counsellor shall maintain appropriate contact with students throughout the application cycle, respond to student queries promptly, and escalate concerns regarding student welfare or progress in accordance with UNICONS' reporting procedures.

3.1 Primacy of Student Interest The foundational obligation of every Counsellor is to act in the genuine best interests of each student. All advice, guidance, and recommendations provided by the Counsellor must be driven by the student's academic profile, goals, welfare, and circumstances. Recommendations must never be influenced, distorted, or weighted by:

• Commission rates, bonuses, or incentive payments associated with particular institutions or programmes;
• Enrolment targets or quotas set by UNICONS, partner institutions, or third parties;
• Personal relationships, preferences, or commercial interests of the Counsellor;
• Pressure from any institutional partner, employer, or third party.

Where commercial incentives exist (including commission-sharing arrangements), Counsellors must ensure that such incentives are disclosed to the student before any formal recommendation is made and that the recommendation itself remains objectively justifiable on the basis of the student's profile.

3.2 Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest The Counsellor must promptly disclose to UNICONS any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest that may affect, or be seen to affect, their ability to advise a student impartially. Conflicts of interest include, without limitation:

• A personal or financial relationship with a representative of a university, college, or institution to which the Counsellor is recommending a student;
• A direct or indirect financial interest in an institution being recommended;
• Family or personal relationships with the student being advised;
• Receipt of gifts, hospitality, or benefits from any institution or third party that exceed a nominal value (defined by UNICONS' Gifts and Hospitality Policy, as amended from time to time).

3.3 Recusal Process Where a conflict of interest is disclosed, the Counsellor shall recuse themselves from advising the relevant student or recommending the relevant institution until UNICONS has reviewed the matter and provided written confirmation that the Counsellor may continue. UNICONS reserves the right to reassign the student to another Counsellor in such circumstances.

4.1 General Conduct Counsellors shall at all times conduct themselves with honesty, integrity, and professionalism in all interactions with students, colleagues, institutional partners, and UNICONS staff. Counsellors shall not engage in behaviour that is discriminatory, harassing, bullying, or otherwise contrary to UNICONS' Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

4.2 Accuracy of Advice The Counsellor is personally responsible for the accuracy and currency of the advice and information they provide. Counsellors must:

• Verify entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarship availability, and visa rules from authoritative sources before communicating them to students;
• Clearly distinguish between confirmed facts and their own professional opinion;
• Acknowledge and communicate any uncertainty or limitations in their knowledge rather than speculating;
• Promptly correct any error or inaccuracy identified in advice previously given to a student.

4.3 Prohibition on Guaranteeing Outcomes The Counsellor shall not guarantee or imply a guarantee of any outcome, including but not limited to: admission to a particular institution, success in a visa application, receipt of a scholarship or bursary, or a particular academic result. Counsellors shall make clear to students that all outcomes are subject to the independent decisions of universities, government authorities, and other third parties.

4.4 Immigration Advice Restriction Unless the Counsellor holds a valid OISC authorisation at an appropriate level, or qualifies under a recognised exemption, the Counsellor must not provide regulated immigration advice as defined under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Breach of this provision may constitute a criminal offence and will result in immediate termination of engagement with UNICONS.

4.5 Use of UNICONS Platform and Tools Counsellors shall access and use the UNICONS platform solely for the purposes of performing their duties under these Terms. Counsellors shall not share their platform credentials with any other person, must comply with all platform security requirements, and must report any suspected unauthorised access or security incident immediately to UNICONS. The UNICONS platform and all proprietary tools and systems remain the intellectual property of ACEIIS Ltd and UNICONS. No licence is granted to Counsellors beyond what is necessary for the performance of their engagement duties.

5.1 Data Access Scope Counsellors are granted access to student personal data, application records, and related documentation solely to the extent necessary to perform their responsibilities under these Terms. Access is granted on a need-to-know basis. Counsellors must not access, download, or retain student data beyond what is required for the specific task at hand. Counsellors must comply fully with the UNICONS Data Access Policy, UK GDPR, and the Data Protection Act 2018 in respect of all personal data accessed through the platform.

5.2 Record-Keeping Obligations Counsellors are required to maintain accurate, complete, and contemporaneous records of all material interactions with students, including advice given, recommendations made, documents reviewed, and referrals made. Records must be entered into the UNICONS platform within 24 hours of the relevant interaction unless UNICONS specifies otherwise. Counsellors must not delete, alter, or suppress any record relating to a student's application or case history.

5.3 Student Data Protection Counsellors acknowledge that student personal data is processed under UK GDPR and that they act as processors (or sub-processors) of such data on behalf of UNICONS. Counsellors must comply with all applicable data protection obligations, including the Counsellor Confidentiality Agreement, which sets out specific obligations regarding student data independently of these Terms.

6.1 Performance Standards UNICONS sets minimum performance standards for Counsellors, which may include response time targets, application conversion rates, student satisfaction scores, and accuracy of documentation. Performance standards are communicated to Counsellors at the commencement of engagement and may be updated periodically. Persistent failure to meet performance standards may result in a performance improvement process and, ultimately, termination of engagement.

6.2 Training and Continuing Professional Development Counsellors must complete all mandatory training prescribed by UNICONS prior to commencing active student engagement. Mandatory training includes, but is not limited to: UNICONS platform training, UK student visa guidance (general information level), safeguarding awareness, data protection, and equality and diversity. Counsellors are responsible for keeping their knowledge current with respect to university entry requirements, visa rules, and scholarship programmes relevant to their student caseload. UNICONS may require Counsellors to complete refresher training periodically and reserves the right to suspend platform access pending completion of required training.

7.1 Student Welfare Concerns The Counsellor has a duty to report promptly to UNICONS any concern regarding the welfare of a student, including but not limited to: signs of financial exploitation, coercion or undue pressure from a third party, mental health difficulties affecting the student's decision-making, or any safeguarding concern. Counsellors working with students who are under 18 must comply with UNICONS' Child Safeguarding Policy and must refer safeguarding concerns to the designated UNICONS safeguarding lead without delay.

7.2 Fraud and Academic Misconduct The Counsellor must immediately report to UNICONS any suspected or known instance of: document fraud (including falsified academic transcripts, certificates, or identity documents), academic fraud (including plagiarised personal statements or fabricated references), fraud in immigration documentation, or misrepresentation of financial circumstances. Counsellors must not assist, facilitate, or turn a blind eye to any form of fraud, misrepresentation, or academic misconduct and must understand that failure to report may itself constitute a serious breach of these Terms.

8.1 Termination by UNICONS UNICONS may terminate the Counsellor's engagement with immediate effect, without notice or compensation, in the event of: a serious breach of these Terms, the Counsellor Confidentiality Agreement, or the Counsellor Code of Ethics; any act of dishonesty, fraud, or wilful misconduct; provision of regulated immigration advice without OISC authorisation; failure to report a safeguarding or fraud concern; or conduct bringing UNICONS into disrepute. In less serious cases, UNICONS may serve written notice of termination in accordance with the Counsellor's engagement agreement or applicable employment contract.

8.2 Termination by Counsellor A Counsellor wishing to terminate their engagement shall provide written notice to UNICONS in accordance with the terms of their engagement agreement. During the notice period, the Counsellor must continue to perform their duties to the required standard and must cooperate in the orderly handover of student cases and records to another Counsellor or UNICONS staff member.

8.3 Post-Termination Obligations Following termination of engagement, howsoever arising, the Counsellor shall: immediately cease use of the UNICONS platform and all UNICONS tools and systems; return or destroy all confidential information and materials in accordance with the Counsellor Confidentiality Agreement; and cooperate with any post-termination audit or investigation by UNICONS. The obligations under Sections 5 (Data Access and Record-Keeping), 7 (Reporting Obligations), the Counsellor Confidentiality Agreement, and the Counsellor Code of Ethics survive termination of engagement indefinitely or for the periods specified in those documents.

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, save that UNICONS reserves the right to seek injunctive or other equitable relief in any competent jurisdiction.

If you have any questions regarding these Terms, please contact UNICONS at enquiry@unicons.co.uk or write to us at 214 High Street, Second Floor, Hounslow, TW3 1HB, London, United Kingdom.