Community Service Training & Development Centre

Training People Who Care

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Pre-enrolment Information

Training – Policies and Procedures

Information & Selection of Students

Emphasis is placed on a suitability criteria consistent with franchise curricula entrance criteria, i.e.;
- Minimum of year 10 literacy & numeracy
- Appropriate attitudes to care industry
- Maturity
Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Principles and access to training will be applied to people from designated groups of the general population
Recognition of Current Competencies will be assessed by the Training Co-ordinator in consultation with subject experts at the commencement of the course

Student Learning Support & Counselling

Community Services Training and Development Centre, Morgan & Hay Pty Ltd has expertise in developing and adapting learning materials. Additional help and support with language and literacy will be provided in liaison with LM Specialists.
Our trainers have experience in the use of a variety of delivery techniques. Our learning packages are suitable for adaptation to diverse needs.
Staff will assess trainee learning support and personal needs requiring early intervention.
Please contact the Trainer or Course coordinator if you would like to access extra support. Morgan & Hay has expertise in developing and adapting learning materials.
Staff to notify Course Coordinator where intervention is required.

Course Timetable and Program Design

Course/program design is deliberately structured to provide training experience which emphasises students acquiring practical and industry relevant skills, knowledge and attitudes.
Skills workshops to be conducted on a full day training basis.

Equal Opportunity, Access and Equity

CSTDC seeks to maintain a harmonious training environment free from discrimination, intimidation, victimisation and harassment, and one which allows for equal opportunity.

In all our training, CSTDC aims to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to successfully gain skills, knowledge and experience through education and training. If you feel you have been treated unfairly by a staff member or another trainee because of your sex, sexuality, race, age or because you have a disability please bring this matter to the attention of the Course Co-ordinator or Manager of Training.

Access and Equity

CSTDC selection policy is to be conducted under access and equity principles, is a fair process, justified and adheres to the criteria for National Training.

In the case of learning disability students are to be given access to tutors and additional support. Alternative methods of assessment will be provided if necessary.

Capable demonstration of competency must take into account:

Competency
Attendance
Suitability for the industry
Specific learning needs

CSTDC, Morgan & Hay Pty Ltd will not tolerate discrimination against, or harassment and vilification, of any individuals or groups on prohibited grounds. Types of prohibited behaviour and grounds of prohibited discrimination and harassment are defined below.

Grounds of prohibited discrimination and harassment and types of prohibited behaviour are:

Age
Life circumstances e.g.
- Poverty
- Sexual preferences
- Unemployment
- Education
- Lifestyle
Sex
Race
Impairment or disability
Learning disability – NESB
Industrial activity
Lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation
Marital, parental or career status
Physical features
Pregnancy
Political belief or activity
Religious belief or activity

Direct or indirect discrimination against someone who is associated with a person with any of the above attributes also will not be tolerated.

Harassment

Harassment is any form of behaviour directed at another person that is unsolicited, unwelcome or unreciprocated or is unlawful. All CSTDC staff and trainers have the responsibility to ensure students are free of harassment. Students or staff wishing to make a complaint of discrimination, victimisation, intimidation and/or harassment will be given a serious and impartial hearing. Please speak to Management.

Sexual Harassment

Behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment will not be tolerated under any circumstances and disciplinary action will be taken against employees and students who breach this policy. CSTDC will also ensure that confidentiality of all parties is respected, and that people coming forward with complaints receive protection from victimisation.

CSTDC will institute procedures for dealing with complaints of sexual harassment on equal opportunity or access and equity which:

Are accessible to students and staff
Reflect the principles of natural justice
Encourage the reporting of behaviour which constitute sexual harassment
Provide clear links to staff and student disciplinary procedures to deal with identified harassers and vexatious complainants
Require all complaints to be treated in a sensitive, fair and timely manner
Protect against the victimisation of a complainant, witness or any person associated with a complainant
Promote appropriate standards of conduct at all times
Maintain confidentiality at all stages of the complaints resolution process and explain the consequences of breaches of confidentiality to complainants, respondents and witnesses involved in the resolution/investigation of complaints
Place an emphasis on strategies for education and prevention
Ensure all members of its community have access to the information and support needed to prevent harassment or to deal with it appropriately

Please speak to Course Coordinator or Management if you are experiencing any harassment of any kind.

Grievance Policy & Procedures

Policy

CSTDC aims to provide a supportive and harmonious learning environment for management, trainers and trainees. We aim to resolve grievances amicably and fairly through constructive discussion with those concerned.

CSTDC is committed to ensuring staff and all trainees have fair and consistent treatment and prompt consideration of complaints. Grievances should be resolved as close to their source as practicable. Grievances should be resolved with the least practicable formality compatible with assurance of fair and consistent treatment.

Definitions

Grievance:

Personality and professional differences will occur in any training situation, however a grievance could be said to arise where a person perceives a “wrong”, real or perceived which gives rise to a complaint or a dispute.

Appeals:

A decision has been made and staff members or trainee is disagreeing with the decision
Mostly around assessment results
Standardised form/letters of response and give opportunities to have support person present if required

Resolution:

Agreement between the parties concerned resulting in:

Compromise
Correction of a wrong, or
A solution in which both parties benefit to some degree

Guidelines

1. It is important that any grievance you may have is raised with the person involved rather than leave the matter unresolved.

2. State clearly the difficulty you are experiencing and attempt to clarify and resolve the issue.

3. If the matter cannot be resolved, or should training participants feel unable to speak directly to the person involved, the appropriate trainer will generally be the person to contact. However if the grievance is associated with a trainer, arrange a time to speak to a supervisor, the course coordinator or management.

4. Outline your grievance as clearly as possible. Use only facts, be wary of assumptions. It may assist you to write some notes.

5. Evaluate any extra information you may receive in relation to the problem after discussion with trainer.

6. Your trainer or supervisor may need time to conduct further investigations, but they are obliged to address the issue.

7. If the matter is not resolved you may request that your grievance be passed on to the course coordinator or management.

8. If the grievance is from a group of people then a written statement outlining the issue clearly and objectively and signed by all members of the group may be required.

9. If the grievance is unable to be resolved by following the correct procedures within the organisation a formal complaint should be lodged. Trainers, Manager or admin staff must record all complaints on a complaint form and the complaints Register (held by Admin staff). All information will be strictly confidential and personal privacy will be respected.

10. If an agreeable resolution is not achieved an independent facilitator may be called or VET Quality Branch contacted.

VET Quality Branch contact number (08) 8226 3065.

Plagiarism and Collusion

Plagiarism is the act of directly copying work without referencing or acknowledgement and is considered a form of cheating. Collusion is the inclusion of the work of others rather than your own. Plagiarism and collusion is not acceptable by CSTDC or any other educational facility. In the case a student is accused of either an investigation will be undertaken and repercussions will be dealt with by members of CSTDC staff.

Occupational Health and Safety Welfare (OH&SW)

The Community Services Training & Development Centre aims to maintain a healthy culture in our organisation by identifying risks and minimising these. All staff and students will be encouraged to use safe work practises and will be aware of all occupational health and safety issues which relate to their work and study.

At CSTDC the health, safety and welfare of all employees, students and visitors is of equal importance to all other operational considerations.

We will work together to ensure that:

CSTDC offers a safe workplace and ensure compliance with occupational, health, safety and welfare legal requirements.
Promote a culture of responsibility and accountability for occupational, health and safety at an organisational unit and employee level through the development of appropriate policies, procedures and monitoring mechanisms.
Receive summaries of reports on incidents, injuries, hazards and Work Cover performance and identify any trends requiring attention.
Any issues relating to Occupational, Health and Safety should be reported to the Occupational, Health and Safety representative.

Our OH&SW Policy and Procedures, and the Emergency Procedures are located on the OH&SW board, opposite the Reception area.

If you would like a copy of either, please ask at Reception.

Fee Policy

Payment of fees can be made by cheque, money order, cash (only in person) or online to CSTDC’s a/c (details are on the invoice)
Materials will not be issued unless a deposit has been paid
Fee payments schedules can be negotiated with the finance officer by personal appointment
Any difficulties with fee payments must be negotiated with CSTDC’sFinance Officer
Certificates and Statement of Results will only be issued when all fees owing have been paid
Late payment of fees on overdue accounts may hinder assessment of assignments
Late payments of fees on overdue accounts may incur a 5% charge
Any loss of and replacement of materials will be at the Students cost of $25 per unit

Fee Refunds

Eligibility

New Trainees and/or their host employer are eligible for a full or partial refund of the Training Fee, subject to any amounts owed and a nominal service charge to cover administrative costs if they withdraw from the Approved Course of Instruction as follows:

1. Local circumstances (eg. total cancellation of class)

2. Personal circumstances beyond the New Trainee’s control including but not limited to:

Death
Sickness (verified by a medical certificate)
Employment or change of employment hours or location (verified by employer)
The Institute ceases to operate.

New Students must be advised in writing of this refund policy on enrolment.

Refund calculations

1. When a refund results from an action arising from local circumstances (eg. total cancellation of class), a full refund of the Fee shall be made and no service charge shall apply.

2. Refunds resulting from personal circumstances (which are subject to service charge referred to above) will be calculated from the date the application for refund is received, in accordance with the following:

If the student withdraws before training has commenced, a full refund of the Fee will be made.
If the student withdraws before 20% of training has been delivered, an 80% refund of the Fee shall be made.
No refund will be granted after training has commenced for less than or equal to 10 hours duration for a Module.
If student withdraws before 50% of training has been delivered, a 50% refund of the administration Fee shall be made.
If the student withdraws after 50% of training has been delivered, there will be no refund.

3. A modest service charge may be determined by the provider to cover costs associated with the administration of the refund process.

[This policy is based upon the Department of Further Education, Employment Science and Technology wording and is consistent with the Registered Training Organisation’s obligations as required with the Training and Skills Commission.]