Terms and Conditions

care-4 Standard Terms (21112022)

These terms and conditions are issued by Blackhawk Network EMEA Limited a company duly incorporated under company number 4155659, having its registered office at Westside, London Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 9TD and part of the Blackhawk Network group (BHN/us/we). These terms and conditions govern the supply of the Services to the client identified in the Contract (you/Client). If you have any questions about this Contract, the Services please email us at enquiries@bhnetwork.com.

1. Services

(A) Service description and specific obligations

1.1 We will provide you with the services as further described in this clause 1 (Services) in relation to the  care-4 childcare vouchers scheme (Scheme).  The Scheme allows an employee to sacrifice part of their gross salary (Funds) which can be used to pay for childcare only.  The Funds are deducted from the employee’s gross salary each month through payroll and sent to us.  Upon receipt of the Funds for an employee, we load an amount equal to the Funds into that employee’s care-4 account and such amount can be used to pay registered or approved carers used by that employee for childcare services.    

1.2 We will:

  • provide you with ongoing advice and guidance about the Scheme.
  • support you in the initial launch of the Scheme, and the transition of participants from your existing scheme along with any further interim activity including provision of communication materials and support as required by you (which may attract an additional cost). 
  • agree with you a period of time within which employees can register for the Scheme (registration period).
  • provide a care-4 account for each of your employees participating in the Scheme (Participant).
  • provide contact details to you and your employees, including a designated scheme telephone number and website, for registration onto the Scheme.
  • administer the registration process direct with the Participant and the carer(s) on your behalf.
  • provide you with a copy of our Scheme Terms and Conditions setting out the terms on which the Scheme is made available to the Participant (Parent & Guardian) and Carer.
  • collate, where appropriate, registration documentation received from the Carer, in accordance with requirements of the Children Act 1989 and/or HMRC requirements.
  • set up a care-4 account for each Participant and provide materials (welcome email with links to Scheme Terms and Conditions, parent and guardian information and a password set up email)
  • provide materials for the Carer (welcome email with links to the Scheme Terms and Conditions, carer information and a password set up email).
  • at the end of the registration period, upon your request provide you with a report detailing the registration requests which we have received during that selection period.

1.3  We will:

  • issue a VAT invoice on a monthly basis for the management fees payable to us as detailed in the Contract.
  • use reasonable endeavours to release payments to the Carer within 1 business day of receiving authority from the relevant Participant to do so via the designated telephone line or through the Participant’s account at www.care-4.co.uk
  • send an email confirming a payment has been made via the Scheme to those Carers that have provided us with their email address.

1.4 We reserve the right to:

  • make payments only if there are sufficient funds in the relevant Participant’s care-4 account.
  • withhold payment until we have received appropriate confirmation that the Carer is registered and approved by a relevant regulatory body.
  • make no further payments to a Carer under the Scheme, and to terminate his/her membership forthwith, if we become aware that he/she is no longer authorised to provide child care in compliance with the Children Act 1989.

1.5 Notwithstanding any provision of this Contract to the contrary, we accept no liability for fraudulent payments made using the Scheme.

1.6 You will:

  • undertake a basic earnings assessment to determine the tax and National Insurance exempt value that can be sacrificed from gross pay for each Participant, on joining and annually at the start of each tax year.
  • provide an accurate spreadsheet in an agreed format detailing the funds to be loaded for each Participant at least one (1) full working day ahead of each salary pay date.
  • pay us an amount corresponding to the total fund load value detailed in the spreadsheet referred to above at least one (1) working day before the agreed salary pay date for us to load  to the Participant’s care-4 accounts.
  • permit us to terminate an employee’s participation in the Scheme in the event of his/her failure to comply with the Scheme Terms and Conditions.
  • make the Scheme available for a minimum period of twelve month(s) during each contractual year.

1.7 The Scheme Terms and Conditions apply between the Participant and us and do not form part of this Contract.  A copy of the Scheme Terms and Conditions is available on request.

1.8 Any costs relating to additional services provided to you at your request will be calculated on the basis of the service required.  These must be agreed in advance, in accordance with the Contract. 

1.9 You will pay all invoices within 30 calendar days of the date of invoice.

(B)  Contracting with us

1.10 We will issue a contract form for the Services based on the information that you provided.  You can request the Services  from us by signing the contract form and returning it to us.  Your signed contract form is an offer by you to buy the Services subject to these terms. Our acceptance of your offer will take place when we email you to confirm that we accept to provide you with the Services, at which point the Contract will come into existence between us. If we are unable to accept to provide you with the Services for any reason we will inform you of this in writing.

2. Fees and payment

2.1 In consideration for the supply of the Deliverables and Services you agree to pay the charges detailed in the Contract ("Charges").

2.2 The Charges exclude duties and taxes. You will pay the applicable duties and taxes, at the prevailing rate, at the same time as you pay the Charges.

2.3 All payments shall be made in Pounds Sterling and by the payment method stipulated in clause 1 above or in the Contract.

2.4 In the event you have not paid us within the agreed payment term, we may (a) charge interest on the outstanding amount at the rate of 4% per year above the base rate of the Bank of England to accrue daily from the date on which payment fell due until the date on which payment is made in full cleared funds and (b) disable your access to all or part of the Services and/or suspend our performance of the Services.

2.5 BHN reserves its right to increase the Charges annually with effect from the Effective Date in accordance with the annual percentage increase in the Retail Prices Index as published by the UK Office of National Statstics.  Postage Charges are subject to change.  All such Charges shall be automatically adjusted following an increase in the relevant third party postal rates.

2.6 Without prejudice to any other right or remedy, we may set off any amount which is due and owing by us or any of our Affiliates to you or any of your Affiliates either under this Contract or any other contract between us or our Affiliates and you or any of your Affiliates whether existing now or in the future.

3. Warranties and Obligations

3.1 You warrant and represent on an ongoing basis that: a) you have full capacity and authority to enter into and perform your obligations under this Contract; b) the Contract is executed by your duly authorised representative; and c) you will ensure that the data, including Personal Data, that you provide is accurate and up to date.

3.2 You will a) co-operate with us in all matters related to the Services and ensure the same of your independent contractors; b) promptly supply us with such materials and data as we may reasonably request; and c) comply with all Applicable Laws.

3.3 You warrant and represent on an ongoing basis that that there are no Client Staff to the extent that TUPE applies and you will indemnify us against all costs, claims, demands, liabilities and expenses properly incurred by us in respect of any Claim made by Client Staff pursuant to any application to a Court or Employment Tribunal or any compromise thereof.

3.4 We will perform the Services with all due skill care and diligence using appropriately qualified individuals.

3.5 We will use reasonable endeavours to meet any performance dates agreed with you in writing, but any such dates are estimates only.

4. Term

4.1 Subject to the provisions for earlier termination, this Contract is deemed to have commenced on the Effective Date and shall continue in full force and effect for the Contract Duration.

5. Liability

5.1 This clause 5 sets out our entire financial liability (including any liability for the acts or omissions of our employees, agents and sub-contractors) to you in respect of all matters arising out of this Contract.

5.2 Nothing in this Contract limits or excludes a party’s liability for (a) death or personal injury resulting from its negligence; or (b) any damage or liability arising from its fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or (c) for any other liability which cannot be limited or excluded by Applicable Law.

5.3 Subject to clause 5.2, we will not be liable to you for any of the following (where in each of clauses 5.3(b) to 5.3(j) inclusive of a direct or indirect nature): a) special, indirect or consequential loss; b) loss of profits; c) loss of business; d) depletion of goodwill and/or similar losses; e) loss of anticipated savings; f) loss of goods; g) loss of contract; h) loss of use; i) loss, damage or corruption of data or information; and j) any pure economic loss, costs, damages, charges or expenses.

5.4 Subject to clauses 5.2 and 5.3, our total liability to you in contract, tort (including negligence or breach of statutory duty), misrepresentation, restitution or otherwise arising in connection with the performance or contemplated performance of this Contract shall not exceed fifty thousand pounds (£50,000).

5.5 All warranties, conditions, undertakings or terms, express or implied, statutory or otherwise as to the condition, quality, performance or fitness for purpose of any goods or services provided by us pursuant to this Contract are excluded from this Contract save to the extent they are expressly provided herein.

6. Confidentiality

6.1 Each party agrees to keep confidential all Confidential Information and will only use the other party’s Confidential Information for purposes of fulfilling its obligations under this Contract.

6.2 The receiving party shall treat the disclosing party’s Confidential Information with at least the same degree of care that it treats in own Confidential Information but in any event with no less than a reasonable degree of care.

6.3 The receiving party may disclose the disclosing party’s Confidential Information to its employees, officers, representatives or advisers who need to know such Confidential Information for the purpose of carrying out the receiving party’s obligations under this Contract.

6.4 For the purpose of this Contract, Confidential Information shall not include information which is: a) in the public domain or falls into the public domain otherwise than due to breach of this obligation by the receiving party; or b) lawfully in the receiving party’s possession at the time of disclosure by the disclosing party; or c) lawfully acquired from an independent third party who did not itself obtain it under an obligation of confidentiality; or d) independently developed without access to any information disclosed by the disclosing party; or e) required to be disclosed by any court or governmental or administrative authority competent to require the same or by any Applicable Law.

7. Intellectual property Rights

7.1 All pre-existing Intellectual Property Rights shall remain the sole property of the originating party and the other party shall acquire no rights therein. Each party hereto warrants to the other party that to the best of its knowledge, all material, logos, information or other data provided to the other party in any media does not infringe the Intellectual Property Rights of any third party.

7.2 Client acknowledges that any and all of the Intellectual Property Rights subsisting in or used in connection with the BHN IPR, the Deliverables and the Services shall remain the sole property of BHN or such other party as may be identified therein or thereon and Client shall not at any time dispute such ownership.

7.3 BHN grants the Client, or shall procure the direct grant to the Client of, a fully paid-up worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free and revocable licence to use the BHN IPR for the purpose of receiving and using the Services and/or the Deliverables in the Client’s business during the Contract Duration.

7.4 Client shall not (without the prior written consent of BHN) permit any third party to use the BHN IPR, Services or Deliverables in any way whatsoever and shall notify BHN immediately if Client becomes aware of any unauthorised use of the whole or any part of the BHN IPR, Services or Deliverables by any person.

7.5 Client grants BHN and its Affiliates and service providers a fully paid-up, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable licence to use, copy and modify the Client Materials for the purpose of providing the Services.

7.6 Client shall indemnify and keep indemnified BHN and its Affiliates and service providers from and against all costs, claims, demands, liabilities, expenses, damages or losses they suffer or incur as the result of any claim or proceedings brought by a third party as a result of any goods or services supplied either to Client’s design/specification or in accordance with or based upon any information or materials supplied by Client or any Client Materials supplied to BHN.

8. Data Protection

8.1 In this clause 8, Data Protection Laws means the UK GDPR (as defined in the Data Protection Privacy and Electronic Communications (Amendments etc) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019/419, the Data Protection Act 2018 (as amneded and superseded from time to tim), and/ or all Applicable Law from time to time, in each case in each jurisdiction where the Services are delivered in relation to data privacy. "Process/Processing", "Data Subject", "Personal Data" and "Personal Data Breach" shall have the same meaning as in the Data Protection Laws.

8.2 Each party confirms that it holds, and during the term of this Contract will maintain, all registrations and notifications required in terms of the Data Protection Laws which are appropriate to its performance of its obligations under this Contract.

8.3 Each party confirms that, in the performance of this Contract, it will comply with the Data Protection Laws.

8.4 Client warrants that it has (and, at all times during the period this Contract is in force, it will have) the requisite rights, authority and consents to disclose any Personal Data to Hawk Incentives for the purpose of the performance of this Contract and that use by Hawk Incentives of such Personal Data to provide the Services here under in accordance with the Contract and the instructions of Client will not infringe the rights of any third party.

8.5 In so far as BHN Processes any Personal Data on behalf of Client, BHN, as well as its vendors, suppliers and providers, may obtain, use disclose and otherwise process Personal Data (as that term is defined in the DPA) in the performance of the Services as set forth in the Data Processing Addendum located at https://blackhawknetwork.com/b2b-data-protection-addendum (the "DPA"), which is incorporated by this reference.  As further described in the DPA: (1) the address for assistance needed with Data Subject Requests is DL-GlobalPrivacyOffice@bhnetwork.com; and (2) notifications to BHN regarding a Personal Data Breach shall be sent via email to: DL-OCC@blackawknetwork.com.  The DPA also includes Attachment 1 and Attachment 2 to these Terms. 

9. Termination

9.1 Either party may terminate the Contract with immediate effect by giving the other written notice if:

9.1.1 the other commits a material breach of any term of the Contract and (if such breach is remediable) fails to remedy that breach with thirty (30) days of being notified in writing to do so;

9.1.2 if any step or action in connection with the other entering into administration, provisional liquidation or any composition or arrangement with their creditors (other than in relation to solvent restricting), being wound up (whether voluntarily or by order of the court, unless for the purpose of solvent restructuring), having a received appointed to any of its assets or ceasing to carry on business or actions is taken in another jurisdiction, in connection with any analogous procedure in the relevant jurisdiction; or

9.1.3 the other party suspends, threatens to suspend, ceases or threatens to cease to carry on all or a substantial part of its business.

9.2 Without affecting any other right or remedy available to it, BHN may terminate this Contract with immediate effect by giving written notice to Client if Client fails to pay any amount due under this Contract by the due date for payment and remains in default not less than thirty (30) days after being notified in writing to make such payment.

9.3 Without affecting any other right or remedy available to it, either party may terminate this Contract on giving notice no less than the Notice Period provided that such notice expires on or after the first anniversary of the Service Start Date.

9.4 Termination of the Contract shall not affect any rights or remedies that have accrued as at termination.

9.5 Any provision of the Contract that expressly or by implication is intended to come in force on or after termination shall remain in full force and effect.

9.6 Notwithstanding any provision or arrangement allowing Client credit, payment of all sums owing under the Contract shall become due and payable to BHN immediately upon the termination of this Contract.

10. Force Majeure

10.1 Neither party will be liable for any loss or damage from any delay or failure to supply any Deliverables or Services due to any circumstances beyond its reasonable control ("Force Majeure Event"), provided that the affected party informs the party as soon as practicable after first becoming aware of the Force Majeure Event.

10.2 If the Force Majeure Event in question continues for more than 30 days, either party may give notice in writing to the other of not less than 30 days to terminate this Contract.

10.3 To the extent that BHN continues to provide the Deliverables and/or Services during a Force Majeure Event, Client shall pay the Charges to BHN in accordance with the provisions of this Contract.

11. General

11.1 If there is an inconsistency between any of the provisions in these terms and conditions and the contract form, the provisions in the contract form shall prevail.

11.2 Client shall not assign this Contract without the prior written consent of BHN. However, BHN may assign or subcontract or deal in any other manner with any or all of its rights and obligations under this Contract.

11.3 All notices given under this Contract shall be in writing and sent by first class recorded delivery post or delivered by hand to the other at its address stated on the Contract (or at such other address as the party has previously notified the other in writing as its address for services) and in relation to BHN shall be marked for the attention of the Principal Legal Counsel with a copy to the Managing Director at the address stated above and with an additional copy to the General Counsel of Blackhawk Network, 6220 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, CA94588. Any such notice will be deemed to have been served immediately if delivered by hand or in the case of delivery by post, 48 hours after posting.

11.4 If any provision (or part of a provision) of this Contract is found by any court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable or illegal, the other provisions will remain in force. If any invalid, unenforceable or illegal provision would be valid, enforceable or legal if some part of it were deleted, that provision will apply with whatever modification is necessary to make it valid, enforceable and legal.

11.5 The parties to this Contract do not intend that any of its terms will bind or be enforceable by any person other than Client and BHN.

11.6 Any variation or amendment to this Contract will not be binding on the parties unless set out in writing, expressed to amend this Contract and signed by an authorised representative of each party save as set out in this clause 11.6. BHN reserves the right to update these terms and conditions and where such change is material will inform you before those changes take effect, either through the user interface, in an email message or through other reasonable means. If you object to an intended change, you may terminate this Contract by giving written notice to BHN within 30 days of such change becoming effective. Your continued use of the Services or Deliverables after the change becomes effective will mean that you have agreed to the new terms and conditions.

11.7 These terms and conditions and the contract form constitute the entire agreement and understanding of the parties and supersede any previous agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Contract.  They apply to the exclusion of any other terms that you seek to impose or incorporate by trade, custom, practice or course of dealings.  For the avoidance of doubt, any terms in a purchase order issued by Client shall not be legally binding and may not act as a form of offer, counteroffer or an addition to or modification of the Contract.

11.8 No delay, neglect or forbearance on the part of either party in enforcing any term or condition of this Contract shall either be or be deemed to be a waiver or in any way prejudicial to any right of such party under this Contract.

11.9 The formation, construction, performance, validity and all aspects whatsoever of this Contract and any differences or disputes (including non-contractual disputes) shall be governed by English law and each party irrevocably agrees to submit all dispute arising out of or in connection with it to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts to settle any dispute or claim that arises out of or in connection with this Contract or its subject matter.

Glossary

Defined terms are as set out in this Contract and as below:

General Definitions

Affiliate means any third party which is either: majority owned or effectively controlled by the party concerned or; is the majority owner or effective controller of the party concerned or; is controlled by the same party as the party concerned.

Applicable Law means all applicable laws, regulations, regulatory requirements and codes of practice of any relevant jurisdiction, as amended and in force from time including but not limited to any order that is given by a regulator (including, but not limited to, the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority).

BHN IPR means any and all Intellectual Property Rights owned or applied for by BHN or any of its Affiliates including but not limited to the Technology System.

Claim means all actions (including discrimination and unfair dismissal claims), proceedings and all direct, indirect or consequential liabilities, losses, damages, injuries, claims, costs and expenses (including legal expenses) awarded against or incurred by the relevant party either arising from TUPE or otherwise.

Client Materials mean all information, materials (including but not limited to logos, branding, and trademarks) and data provided to BHN by Client.

Client Staff means all those persons employed or engaged directly or indirectly by Client who were engaged in the provision of the Services prior to the Effective Date.

Confidential Information means information in whatever form (including, without limitation, in written or oral, and wherever located) relating to the business, products, affairs and finances of the disclosing party and trade secrets including, without limitation, technical data and know-how relating to the business of the disclosing party or any of its suppliers, clients, customers, agents, or distributors, whether or not such information (if in anything other than oral form) is marked as confidential.

Contract means these terms and conditions (as may be updated by BHN from time to time pursuant to clause 11.6) and the contract form signed by the Client.

Effective Date means the date on which we email you the acceptance referred to in clause 1.10.

Intellectual Property Rights mean all patents, rights to inventions, utility models, copyright and related rights, trade marks, service marks, trade, business and domain names, rights in trade dress or get-up, rights in goodwill or to sue for passing off, unfair competition rights, rights in designs, rights in computer software, database right, topography rights, moral rights, rights in confidential information (including know-how and trade secrets) and any other intellectual property rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including all applications for and renewals or extensions of such rights, and all similar or equivalent rights or forms of protection in any part of the world.

Technology System means the information technology system developed by BHN or any of BHN's Affiliates to deliver the Deliverables or Services (including but not limited to its technology platforms, database systems, software, applications, tools, processes and related source codes but excluding any elements which do not form part of the generic functionality of such system such as any Client data compilations or visual features or layouts created at the specific request of Client and which form part of the Deliverables).

TUPE means the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006.

Specific Definitions

Carer means a registered and approved provider of childcare services nominated by your employee wishing to use such provider.

Contract Duration has the meaning given to it in the contract form.

Notice Period has the meaning given to it in the contract form.

Service Start Date has the meaning given to it in the contract form.

Scheme Terms and Conditions means the terms and conditions which apply to Participants.

Attachment 1
Data Processing Description and Initial Record of Processing

This Attachment is part of the DPA and includes certain details of the Processing of Personal Data. Capitalised terms are defined in the DPA. References in the DPA to ‘Agreement’ and ‘Customer’ refer to this Contract and Client respectively.

Purpose and duration of the Processing of Personal Data
The subject matter and duration of the Processing of Personal Data are set out in the DPA and the Contract, and the obligations and rights of BHN and its Affiliates are set forth in the DPA, however for purposes of reporting, the following descriptions may be used:

Description of Services Provided  The Vendor will process the below-identified Data Subject information in order to provide the Services.

Data Subjects
The Data Subjects whose Personal Data is required to be processed as an essential part of delivering the Services described above are:

X Employees of Customer (Customer is Controller)

Personal Data

X Employee Name (consumer customer of the Customer)
X Employee Mailing Address
X Employee Email Address
X Employee Phone Number
X Employee Billing Address
X Unique ID
X Care-4 Account Number
X IP Address
X Gender
X Childs Name and ata of birth
X Carer name and address

Attachment 2
Sub-Processors

As of the Effective Date, detail of the sub-processors that support the performance of the Services pursuant to the DPA can be provided upon request by emailing DL-BHNProcessorsInfo@bhnetwork.com