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CODE OF CONDUCT  FIRST AID PLUS AUSTRALIA, EMPLOYEES, CUSTOMERS,      

                                            AND PARTICIPANTS  

FIRST AID PLUS AUSTRALIA shall provide information prior to course enrolment regarding the manner of conduct that is expected of participants. This Participants or organizations who wish to enrol into our courses are required to complete a Training Enrolment Form . Signing this form indicates that the participant / organisation has read, understands and agrees to comply with the Standard Operating Procedures as outlined.

                     Participant Behaviour

We expect participants to conduct themselves in a professional manner befitting of the workplace.
We are  committed to providing a supportive training environment conducive of learning and expects participants to respect this principle by refraining from disrupting training and assessment sessions in anyway.
It is expected that participants attend all training sessions punctually and sign the attendance sheets provided.
Participants shall not take part in any activity, illegal or otherwise, that brings the organisation into disrepute whilst on designated training and assessment areas.
We expects participants to behave in a professional and respectful manner at all times. This includes respecting the learning styles and varying abilities of other participants
We do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment and has implemented the Anti-Discrimination and Sexual Harassment policy Participants must comply with this policy and ensure they refrain from any behavior that may discriminate or harass other participants or  personnel.

                      Workplace Health and Safety

Participants have an obligation to comply with Workplace Health and Safety regulations and must ensure they act in a manner that does not endanger the health and safety of themselves or others. Participants must comply with the safety directives provided by our personnel and must not interfere with any item or process provided in the interest of health and safety.Participants must respect the training and assessment environment and comply with good housekeeping principles.

                      Property
                      Participants are expected to respect the property of all and treat all property with due care. Removal of any property
                      from designated areas without prior permission is forbidden and may be viewed as theft, resulting in possible
                      disciplinary action

                      Change of Personal Details

           Participants are required to advise if any of their personal details change after
           enrolment.

                       Copyright

All textual material printed and issued by us is covered by copyright. Written permission from us is required prior to photocopying materials for reasons other than individual educational purposes.  Plagiarism is defined as using the words or ideas of others and presenting them as your own. This is an activity that we strictly forbids. Plagiarism can take many forms from deliberate cheating to accidentally copying from a source without acknowledgement. Material can be integrated from another source into a participant's assessment by summarising and paraphrasing. This offers an alternative to using a direct quote. When undertaking assessment, participants must acknowledge the source of all ideas and words that are not their own. If a participant is in any doubt about whether something constitutes plagiarism their Trainer, Assessor or Facilitator should be consulted.

                     Drugs, Alcohol and Other Prohibited Items

The organisation prohibits the possession or consumption of alcohol and illegal drugs and the possession of forbidden or dangerous articles whilst on undergoing training or assessment. For the purposes of health, safety and the environment, we forbid smoking while training.

                     Misconduct

Misconduct of a member or client in a training context is any behavior which:
•     disrupts the learning of others
•     brings the organisation into disrepute
•      prevents trainers and assessors from performing their duties
•     endangers the health and safety of the participant, personnel or clients
•     interferes with the conduct of Training and Assessment Operations
•     the requirements defined in this policy

     Examples of misconduct may include:
                 defacing training equipment or venues
                 stealing whilst on a course
                  refusing to meet a safety instruction from a course trainer
                  cheating on an assessment
                  plagiarising another person's work
                  verbally or physically abusing  personnel or client
                  carrying a weapon
                  drinking alcohol or taking illegal drugs during course break times              

                      Disciplinary Action

Any participant suspected of, or proven to be in breach of any of the requirements of this policy shall face disciplinary action. The type of disciplinary action appropriate for the breach shall be determined by our management depending on the severity of the activity engaged in. This may include immediate suspension or termination of studies without refund or credit of course fees. Serious misconduct or illegal activities carried out by any participant will be referred
to the Police.

                     Grievance and Appeals

Should a participant believe that the severity of a disciplinary action taken by FIRST AID PLUS AUSTRALIA is unjustified or inappropriate they may chose to access the Grievance and Appeals policy  

                          ASSESSMENTS

The aims of assessment include:
•       Formally certifying achievements
•       To provide feedback on the participant's learning
•       To help participants improve performance - direct learning
•       To measure readiness for further study or accreditation
•       To improve the quality of the course and maintain educational standards
•       To evaluate and provide feedback on the effectiveness of training processes
The assessment process will
•       the goals and criteria of assessment are clear

•       the assessment methods to be used will be communicated to participants prior to commencement of training

•       a variety of assessment measures and techniques are used

•       participant self-assessment is encourage in order to allow participants to take responsibility for their own learning

•       assessment is inclusive of all learners and free from bias;

•       participants are informed of the Grievance and Appeals policy should they wish to appeal an assessment decision

•       assessment results are recorded accurately and confidentially

          Assessment conducted will observe the directives as required by the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF), Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and relevant training package:
•     Valid -      Assessment methods will be valid in that they will assess what they claim to  
                        assess
•      Reliable - Assessment procedures will be reliable in that they will result in consistent
                         interpretation of evidence from the learner and from context to context
•      Fair -         Assessment procedures will be fair in that they will not disadvantage
                         particular learners. Assessment procedures will:
                         be equitable and culturally appropriate
                         involve procedures in which criteria for judging performance are made
                         clear to participants employ a participatory approach
                         provide for participants to undertake assessments at appropriate times
•      Flexible -  Assessment procedures will be flexible, that is they will involve a variety of  methods that depend on the
                          circumstances surrounding the  assessment
•      Sufficient - Assessment shall provide adequate opportunity for participants to demonstrate competency and be
                            sufficient for Assessors to make a reliable judgment of competence
•      Recognition of Prior Learning - Individuals seeking RPL will be able to access an RPL process
•      Cost Effective - Assessment conducted will be completed in a cost effective manner. Trainers/Facilitators are
                              responsible for determining issue with respect to cost effectiveness such as the timing and frequency
                              of assessment
•      Comparable - The review of assessment systems and procedures and the outcomes of assessment shall be
                                 undertaken at regular periods in order to ensure that  they function appropriately

We will make reasonable adjustments to assessment where appropriate should a participant be identified as having special needs, such as language, literacy or numeracy difficulties or a physical disability. In this case, the Access, Equity and Diversity policy  shall be followed.

Any assessments conducted for Recognition of Prior Learning must be carried out within the Recognition of Prior Learning policy

All Statements of Attainment / Qualifications shall be issued by FIRST AID PLUS AUSTRALIA staff only in accordance with the Issuing Certificates.

 
        RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

All  participants   undertaking  an  accredited  course  shall  be  provided  with information  prior to  enrolment  in  relation  to the  process  of  applying  for recognition.

Participants interested in applying for recognition shall be provided with, or directed to, the RPL Application Form  and Guidelines for Recognition of Prior Learning for Applicants. First Aid Plus Australia recognises the training of other RTO’s and is included in the RPL process.   The Guidelines provide details of the recognition process and   examples of appropriate evidence.  Trainers and Facilitators shall check all enrolment details for indications that participants may qualify for recognition, however participants who consider that they have the potential to qualify for recognition are expected to discuss the matter with their Trainer/Facilitator. The special needs of applicants and shall make the necessary reasonable adjustments during the recognition assessment process where appropriate  All participants who apply for recognition shall be supported through the process by trained personnel only, who advise and guide them through the necessary steps. There is the opportunity for the applicant to negotiate the form of assessment.  

           Participants shall be notified in writing of the outcomes of their application.

The results shall be entered on the Record of Assessment Outcome. The Record of Assessment Outcome - RPL form is a template that shall be adapted to suit the unit of competency/qualification in which recognition if sort. This form and the application form will be included in the Confidential Participant's Personal file.

Hard copies of participant records of recognition need only be maintained for the duration of their course. The participant database and student file is to be updated immediately for the module/competency/outcome which has been granted.

                   Appeals

Where recognition is not granted, the participant shall be informed that they may appeal the decision and access the Grievance and Appeals policy

The Assessor shall arrange an alternate Assessor and another interview time (if applicable). The Assessor will negotiate with the participant further assessment methods and documentation required.

Any review may be undertaken by a different Assessor who was not involved in the initial assessment.

Where the Assessor deems it appropriate, they may negotiate with the client regarding the nature of the appeal to see if the issue can be resolved without a further assessment.

ACCESS. EQUITY & DIVERSITY

We are committed to providing equal opportunity and promoting inclusive practices for all participants within the limit of the organisation's resources.

FIRST AID PLUS AUSTRALIA will increase opportunities for people to participate in the Vocational Education and Training   (VET)   system   and   in   associated   decisions that affect their lives. Appropriate participant support services will be provided to maximise the chances of under-represented     participants     achieving positive learning outcomes and placement/employment in their chosen career.

         In order to maintain the organisation's access, equity and diversity principles, Ensure the establishment of   
         non-discriminatory participant selection procedures which encourage fair access for members of under-represented 
         groups

•     Ensure access and equity issues are considered during curriculum development
•     Ensure the requirements of individual learners are accounted for in the strategic and operational planning
       processes
•     Provide learners with the opportunity to be involved in the planning and decision making processes on matters that
       affect them
•     Provide training programs and services that are accessible to all people in an environment that is free from
       harassment
•     Seek to provide access to a broad range of high quality support services that account for the diversity of clients and

        the needs of people under-represented in VET

•     Seek to provide opportunities for all people to achieve outcomes that meet their personal goals
•     Provide access to development to assist Facilitators who deliver courses to under represented groups
       committed to State and National equity legislation and policy requirements including Equity and Diversity.

Equity

We shall ensure participants are provided with the opportunity to access, participate and successfully achieve outcomes.

·         that it is common for people to identify with more than one equity group

·         of the differences within and between equity groups

·         that each equity group does not experience the same type of disadvantage

·         there remains many common systemic barriers for equity groups

           Diversity
            We will endeavour to address the requirements of all potential and actual learners seeking to participate in training  
            with us, including specific equity groups such as:
                                men
                                women
                        mature age
                        Indigenous Australian peoples
                        people with a disability
                        people from non-English speaking backgrounds
                        people with language, literacy and numeracy needs
                        residents of rural and remote communities
                        Beyond these groups, and in recognition of diversity, we will respond to the needs of the local community.

We do monitor and review our equity performance in order to:
•       comply with national and state legislation and policies
•       meet national and state reporting requirements
•       modify and improve performance to better achieve access, equity and diversity objectives

                      Participants with Special Needs

Participants with Language,   Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) difficulties, a disability or from a non-English speaking background are encouraged to pursue their vocational education and training goals through participation in the range of programs offered by us

We   will   access   appropriate   participant   support   services   wherever possible   and   ensure   the   necessary support   services   are   provided   to participants as required. Participants are advised to discuss any LLN, special needs or counseling requirements with us at the time of enrolment or as early as possible, so that the organisation has time to prepare the learning support services that are available and make reasonable adjustment arrangements.

GRIEVANCE & APPEALS

A participant enrolled in a course who has a grievance on any matter other than academic decisions, should undertake the following steps:

In the first instance an informal approach is to be made to the person with whom the participant has the grievance, in order to see if the matter can be resolved in a mutually satisfactory way.

If the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of both parties, a request must be made to FIRST AID PLUS AUSTRALIA Headquarters, in writing, for another person who has not been involved in the grievance, to review the complaint and have the matter resolved.

If the participant is still dissatisfied, a written notice of appeal may be lodged with FIRST AID PLUS AUSTRALIA request an independent review by an external grievance consultant, or appropriate body.

A grievance, if not resolved informally, must be lodged in writing no later than fourteen (14) days from the date of the incident considered to have caused the grievance.
All grievances received will be entered into the Log and recorded. We shall endeavor to act upon all grievances received in writing within fourteen (14) days of receipt.

Mutual agreement is to be reached between FIRST AID PLUS AUSTRALIA and the relevant participant regarding the external consultant to be engaged for use in the external appeal process.

Where participants wish to use an external consultant who is not approved by FIRST AID PLUS AUSTRALIA the participant is responsible for the payment of all costs associated with the use of the external consultant in the grievance/appeal process.

 All assessment action will be suspended pending determination of the appeal process. All decisions will be immediately communicated to participants in writing and, subject to the provisions of the Administrative Decision (Judicial Review) (Amendment) Act 1991, the decision of an external consultant conducting an appeal will be final.

PARTICIPANT EARLY EXIT

We are committed to continually improving existing operations and   increasing stakeholder satisfaction by gathering and acting upon participant feedback. We acknowledges that collecting, analysing and acting upon feedback from participants is an imperative element of the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) and good business practice.

Should a participant exit a course prior to completion, a Participant Exit
Questionnaire shall be supplied to the participant to complete and return to Our Headquarters. Trainers/Facilitators   should   document   on   the   Attendance   Record   that Participant Exit Questionnaires have been provided to early exiting participants.