Code of Practice
CODE OF PRACTICE
Life Saving Victoria (LSV) has developed a Code of Practice to address and establish its commitment to the maintenance of high standards in the provision of vocational education and training. This code of practice pervades all policies and procedures and it is a requirement of employment that all LSV personnel (including fulltime & casual employees and volunteers), members and clients abide by it.
LEGISLATION
Information about current legislative and regulatory requirements effecting participants training can be found in:
- Victorian Qualifications Authority Act 2000: provides for the administration of a vocational education and training system.
- Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004: provides for duties and obligations related to workplace health and safety.
- Equal Opportunity Act 1995: provides fro prohibition of discrimination and other specific conduct and provides for the investigation into complaints in relation to discrimination.
- Health Act 1958: Specifically - health (Infectious Disease) Regulations 2001. All of the above are available on the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website: www.dms.dpc.vic.gov.au
- Federal Privacy Act: Relating to the collection, use and storage of personal data is available on: www.privacy.gov.au and http://www.comlaw.gov.au/
ACCESS, EQUITY, PARTICIPANT SELECTION AND ADMISSION
Every participant who meets the entry requirements (if applicable) as prescribed by the appropriate training Package will be accepted into any training/assessment program.
LSV incorporates the principles of equity into all programs. LSV's personnel have been instructed in their responsibilities with regards to Access and Equity principles. Participants have equitable access to all programs irrespective of their gender, culture, linguistic background, race location or socio-economic background. In the Public Safety Industry there is, due to the nature of work performed, a requirement for the majority of people to be able-bodied. However, to enable participation in the training offered by LSV by all members of the community, special needs may be addressed in relation to those units, which can accommodate special needs. This will see all non-discriminatory enrolment criteria fulfilled along with further aquatic safety evaluation, deemed necessary by LSV and upon the advice of special interest groups. The importance of water safety, rescue and survival cannot be over stressed when conducting training for aquatic based community rescue activities, for all training conducted under the auspices of LSV. (Further detail regarding participation requirements please refer to the Limiting and Permanent Disability Policy).
Some programs may have a limited number of vacancies and these will be filled in a chronological order upon completion of enrolment. Admission procedures will therefore be free of discrimination, and it an individual does not meet entry requirements, all attempts are made to assist them to identify courses of action.
MUTUAL RECOGNITION
LSV recognizes the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications and statement of attainment issued by any other Registered Training Organisation.
CREDIT TRANSFER
LSV may provide credit transfer for formal learning that a participant has undertaken.
ENROLMENT INDUCTION AND ORIENTATION
LSV conducts an enrolment, induction and orientation program for all participants. This program reviews the Code of Practice and also includes the completion of an Enrolment Form and any specific needs of the individual participant with regard to:
- language, literacy and numeracy support;
- venue safety and facility arrangements;
- relevant legislative requirements and accessibility;
- review of the training and assessment program and flexible learning and assessment;
- participant support, welfare and guidance services arrangements;
- appeals and complaints procedures;
- disciplinary procedures; and
- recognition arrangements and credit transfer.
MARKETING
Should LSV market or advertise its products and services, it will do so in an ethical manner. LSV will market its products and services with integrity, accuracy and professionalism, avoiding vague and ambiguous statements. In the provision of this information, no false or misleading comparisons will be drawn with any other provider or course. Specific course information, including content and vocational outcomes is available prior to enrolment.
Ethical Marketing Practices
LSV will adopt policies and management practices which maintain highly professional standards in the marketing and delivery of its products and services and which safeguard the interests and welfare of all participants. LSV will maintain an education environment that is conducive for all participants to achieve the pre-determined competencies. LSV will always gain a participant's written permission imposed by the participants. LSV will always accurately represent training products and services to prospective participants. LSV ensures that participants are provided with full details of conditions in any contractual arrangements with the organisation.
Accurate and Clear Marketing
Where advertisements and/or advertising materials refer to LSV's RTO status, the products and services covered by the organisation's scope of registration are clearly indentified. LSV only advertises those AQF qualifications it is registered to issue. Advertisements and advertising material utilized by LSV identify nationally recognized products separately from courses recognized by other bodies or without recognized status. The names of training packages, qualifications and/or accredited courses listed in advertising materials utilized by LSV comply with the names/titles recognized by the State Registration Authority. Full information on specific courses is available from LSV prior to enrolment.
LANGAUGE, LITERACY AND NUMERACY
LSV recognized that all vocational training includes language, literacy and numeracy tasks and all LSV trainers and assessors provide:
- materials, resources and assessment tools and tasks that do not require participants to have language, literacy and numeracy skills of more complexity that those used in the workplace for the competencies being taught/assessed;
- clear models of the language/literacy/numeracy task;
- opportunities for repeated and supported practice; and
- opportunities for independent practice.
Where some participants require additional practice and training, LSV arranges appropriate language, literacy and numeracy support
DELIVERY
LSV ensures that all resources meet the requirements of the relevant endorsed training package(s) and/or accredited course(s), for the delivery, assessment and issuing of qualifications, LSV affirms that it has in place and applies the following resources;
- delivery personnel with appropriate qualifications, and experience including assessor requirements as identified in the relevant Training Package assessment guidelines;
- delivery and assessment resources appropriate to the methods of delivery and assessment requirements; and
- relevant Training Package and/or accredited course documents and support materials, with necessary copyright authorizations.
Delivery strategies utilized by LSV are always selected to best achieve the required elements of competence while giving full consideration to the learning style of the participant. The provision of training may include a flexible combination of off and on-the-job delivery and assessment.
ASSESSMENT
LSV has demonstrable experience and skill in providing or facilitating assessments which meet the endorsed components of relevant training package(s) and/or accredited courses in the areas of recognition sought. LSV is committed to ensuring valid and reliable assessment of achievements against industry competency standards and all assessment undertaken by LSV remains consistent with the National Assessment Principles and the requirements of Training Packages.
Assessment Principles
LSV ensures that all assessment conducted within the organization is reliable, flexible, fair and valid.
Reliable
All assessment methods and procedures will ensure that units of competency are assessed consistently and that there is always consistency in the interpretation of evidence.
Flexible
Assessment will be offered in the workplace (on-the-job), in the training environment (off-the-job), in a combination of both or via recognition of prior learning/recognition of current competence. LSV will ensure that all assessment methods and practices allow for diversity with regard to how, where and when competence has been/will be acquired.
Fair
Assessment methods and procedures will not, under any circumstances, disadvantage any participant.
Valid
Assessment activities will always meet the requirements as specified in the unit of competency. Sufficient evidence will always be collected, and will be relevant to the standard/module being assessed.
Assessment Pathways
LSV offers participants a number of assessment pathways appropriate to the qualification outcome. Assessment conducted for the purpose of national recognition may lead to a part or a full qualification under the Australian Qualification Framework. The main assessment pathways to a qualification can be listed as follows;
off-the-job training and assessment
workplace assessment
recognition or prior learning/recognition of current competence
credit transfer
Assessor Qualifications
LSV ensures that personnel involved in assessment activities always meet the assessor requirements as set by either;
- the assessment guidelines of training packages; and/or
- the assessment requirements of accredited courses;
If LSV personnel do not have the vocational competence to assess identified areas, appropriately qualified personnel will be employed to provide this expertise within the assessment process. LSV may also utilise auspiced assessment arrangements in situations where individual LSV personnel do not meet the total assessor requirements. Such auspiced arrangements may involve LSV personnel assessing in conjunction with workplace supervisors, industry specialists and/or qualified external assessors.
Assessment Resources
LSV, when designing assessment resources, ensures that all aspects of competence are covered, including;
- task skills (performance of individual tasks);
- task management skills (managing a number of different task within the job);
- contingency management skills (responding to problems, breakdowns and changes in routine); and
- job/role environment skills (dealing with the responsibilities and expectations of the workplace)
All assessment reporting systems will indicate the units of competency that the individual has attained.
Conducting Assessment
When conducting assessment, LSV ensures it has personnel with appropriate qualifications and adheres to the requirements of the Training Package and the Australian Quality Training Framework 2007 Essential Standards for Registered Training Organisations.
LSV ensures that the personnel conduction assessment utilise appropriate methods for recording, storing and accessing assessment outcomes. Assessment activities undertaken by LSV always follow the methodology outlined below:
1. Assessment procedures are fully explained to participants. Throughout all training, participants are regularly reminded of the ongoing opportunity to be assessed at when they are ready.
2. Opportunities for Recognition (recognition of prior learning/recognition of current competence and credit transfer) are also discussed, as are any available flexible methods of assessment. The appeals and reassessment process is also outlined.
3. The assessment requirements of the unit(s) of competence/module(s) are outlined, and any particular arrangements for the workplace/training environment are arranged.
4. All evidence-gathering methods remain reliable, flexible, fair and valid.
5. As assessments are undertaken, LSV trainers/assessors record individual participant assessment results. Sample copies of the assessment instrument are kept by the trainer/assessor.
6. Post-assessment guidance is always available to participants.
7. A fair and impartial appeals process is always available.
8. Evaluation of assessment processes and procedures is gathered on an on-going (informal) basis. Evidence gathering methods commonly utilized by LSV include, but are in no way limited to:
- graphic presentation - projects/assignments
- audio/visual display - written tests
- skills portfolio - demonstration
- questioning - workplace performance
- role-play - simulation
- oral presentation
COMPLAINTS
Participant feedback is important to the continuous improvement of the VET series provided by LSV. Should a participant have a complaint about a training course, the participant should contact the Manager - Training Services. Where training is conducted for a member by a life saving club, the participant can make their initial complaint to their club committee representative responsible for training and assessment, generally the club Chief Instructor. All complaints made in writing will receive a written response. Appeal to the outcome of a complaint is available and will be heard by an independent person/panel.
APPEALS PROCESS
An appeals and reassessment process is an integral part of all training and assessment pathways leading to nationally recognized qualification or Statement of Attainment under the Australian Recognition Framework. A fair and impartial appeals process is available to participants of LSV. If a participant would like to proceed further with the request after discussions with the trainer/assessor a formal request is make in writing outlining the reason(s) for the appeal. LSV's time period for the acceptance of appeals in 28 days after the participant has been informed of the results of their assessment.
Every effort is made to settle the appeal to both the participant's and LSV'S satisfaction. Each appeal may be heard by an independent person or panel. Each appellant has an opportunity to formally present his or her case and is given a written statement of the appeal outcomes, including reasons for the decision. Should the outcome not be acceptable to the participant, they will be informed, in writing, of the opportunity to lodge a complaint with the Victorian Qualifications Authority.
FEES, CHARGES & REFUNDS
Participants of LSV must pay the set fee upon enrolment into a program. Organisations may be invoiced on receipt of a purchase order or acceptance of a program confirmation letter. Where a program is conducted by a lifesaving club, the club will be invoiced the set fees and charges upon issue of the certification. Standard terms will apply to the payment of invoices. LSV does not receive payment of course fees more than ten weeks in advance of a course.
CancellationFee
- more than 48 hours before - 20% of course fee
- within 48 hours of course - 100% of course fee
Exceptions:
- if cancelling prior to course with medical certificate or a written genuine reason - cancellation fee may be waived.
- if cancelling after course commencement there would normally by 100% cancellation fee. If the candidate wants this fee to be waived or wishes to transfer in another course, they must put this in writing and where possible attach a Doctor's Certificate. Each application will be assessed individually.
PARTICIPANT WELFARE, GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES
All participants of the LSV RTO are treated as individuals and are offered advice and support services which assist participants in achieving their identified outcomes. LSV does not offer formal welfare or guidance services but every effort will be made to assist participants to access appropriate support agencies.
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
All LSV participants are expected to take responsibility, in line with all current workplace practices and legislation, for their own learning and behavior during both on- and off-the-job training and assessment. Any breach of discipline will result in the participant being given a verbal warning. Further breaches will result in the participant having to "show cause" as to why they should not be excluded from further participation in the program.
ACCESS TO PARTICIPANT'S RECORDS
Each participant's records are available to them on request. Participants' records are not available to other people unless LSV is requested in writing by the participant to allow such access.
RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING/RECOGNITION OF CURRENT COMPETENCE
Recognition of prior learning/current competence assessment is available to all participants. Participants wishing to be assessed in this mode can wither provide sufficient evidence of competence or undertake the required assessment tasks. Participants whishing to apply tor Recognition should contact their trainer/assessor.