Printed copies of this policy are not controlled. Always check the SIS to ensure this information is accurate. Policy Name Students Under 18 years of Age Policy Policy Group Educational Policies > Students > Specific Student Groups Policy Reference Number ED.01.03.04 – 005 Purpose To ensure that CIT is providing a safe and protective environment for all students under 18 years of age who participate in CIT programs, activities and educational services. To document guidelines for staff regarding Duty of Care for students under 18 years of age. Scope All CIT students under 18 years of age. In the case of international students, this policy needs to be read in conjunction with the International Student Compliance with the ESOS Act Policy and the Welfare for International Students under the age of 18 years Policy Principles related to admission are contained in the Guaranteed Entry Policy For Young People aged to 24 years and Single and Teenage Parents Definitions Duty of Care This is to take all reasonable steps to ensure the wellbeing of each student. Whilst CIT provides an adult learning environment for all students, it recognises that young students may require a special Duty of Care. (See Attachment 1 for Guidelines) Safe environment A safe environment is one that is free of bullying and harassment fosters positive practices contributing to a young person’s well being includes modelling and teaching positive social skills recognises that young persons may need confidential support of staff or referral to a counsellor respects the wishes of a young person regarding disclosure of information within the principles of mandatory reporting protects the young person from physical injury Young person /student A person or student under 18 years of age Students Under 18 Years of Age Policy Date created: 14 September 2000 Contact officer: Director, CIT Student Services Page 1 of 8 Date updated: January 2014 Printed copies of this policy are not controlled. Always check the SIS to ensure this information is accurate. Principles 1. The Guaranteed Entry Policy For Young People aged to 24 years and Single and Teenage Parents must be followed in relation to young people under 18 years being admitted to a CIT program. 2. A student aged under 17 years, currently enrolled in a secondary school who wishes to attend CIT programs to contribute to their secondary school course may do so with the written permission of the secondary school principal. (Not applicable to secondary school students who continue to attend school full time and choose to study programs at CIT outside of normal school hours) 3. CIT will identify young students on class rosters on Banner, the Student Information Management System. 4. To protect young students, CIT will ensure that teachers and other staff working with young students have satisfactorily completed a Prohibited Person Declaration and /or Police Record Check /or Working with Vulnerable People Background Check and understand mandatory reporting requirements. 5. Staff have a Duty of Care for young students and are responsible for assessing risk; providing a safe environment and an appropriate level of supervision. 6. Teachers will take reasonable steps to ensure that teaching and learning activities involving young students take into account the young students’ level of maturity and learning needs. 7. Young students who demonstrate over a period of time that they do not have the maturity required to comply with the responsibilities of a CIT student will be referred to a Student Counsellor and, if necessary, assisted to find an alternative educational provider by the relevant Head of Department or relevant Support staff. 8. In the case of suspected abuse of young students, staff are required under mandatory reporting laws to report such incidents. 9. CIT will ensure that appropriate arrangements are made to protect the personal safety and social wellbeing of young international students, not being cared for in Australia by a parent or nominated relative. Principles for working with young people under 17 years of age 10. Principles for under 18 years old apply, plus 11. Young people up to 17 years of age who are offered a place at CIT will be provided with careers advice and support, and must have a Pathway Plan which will demonstrate their participation in full-time education, training or employment. (not applicable if concurrently attending full time secondary school) 12. Enrolments by young people under 17 years of age must be accompanied with the completed and signed CIT under 17 years Alert form supplying information for CIT to report pursuant to legislation, email to CITUnder17Alerts@cit.edu.au.(form attached at end of policy). 13. Young people under 17 years who are enrolled as apprentices or trainees are excluded from the above conditions in Principles 11 & 12. Students Under 18 Years of Age Policy Date created: 14 September 2000 Contact officer: Director, CIT Student Services Page 2 of 8 Date updated: January 2014 Printed copies of this policy are not controlled. Always check the SIS to ensure this information is accurate. Delegations Delegation Manual Delegation Number Delegation Delegate Educational 8.05 College Director GM CIT Solutions Educational 8.12 Approve the admission of a student who is under 16 years of age to a program in their College and manage the notification and pathways planning process. Approve the admission of a student who is 16 years of age to a program in their College and manage the notification and pathways planning process. College Director Head of Department Executive Endorsement Version Number Date Endorsed by BOM or BOM Delegate Review Process (Initial Policy, Major 001 15 September 2000 Initial Policy 002 24 June 2002 Major Review 003 16 September 2008 Major Review 004 29 November 2012 Major Review 005 January 2014 Minor Amendment Review or Minor Amendment) Review Date: This Policy is due for review by November 2016 or when changes to work practices or the Authority Source noted below render the policy out of date. Minor amendments do not alter the review date. Students Under 18 Years of Age Policy Date created: 14 September 2000 Contact officer: Director, CIT Student Services Page 3 of 8 Date updated: January 2014 Printed copies of this policy are not controlled. Always check the SIS to ensure this information is accurate. Documentation Authority Source Children and Young People Act 1999 Related Documents Relevant sections in the CIT Student Information Guide National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2007 https://aei.gov.au/Regulatory-Information/Education-Services-for-OverseasStudents-ESOS-Legislative-Framework/National-Code/Pages/default.aspx. CIT Educational Policies Responsibilities in the Learning Environment Policy Unsatisfactory Student Behaviour Policy Welfare arrangements for International Students under the age of 18 years Policy Supporting Guide Keeping Children Young People Safe dhcs/ACT June 2007 Accountabilities Policy Owner (Lead Coordinator: Deputy Chief Executive Responsible for major review and any amendments and recommends sign off by the Chief Executive) Contact Officer (Responsible for input and advice to the policy) Director, CIT Student Services Manager, CIT Student Support Mandatory Consultation I approve this policy. ____________________________________ Chief Executive ____________________________________ Date Students Under 18 Years of Age Policy Date created: 14 September 2000 Contact officer: Director, CIT Student Services Page 4 of 8 Date updated: January 2014 Printed copies of this policy are not controlled. Always check the SIS to ensure this information is accurate. PROCEDURES Person under 16 applies to enrol Person is an apprentice No Yes Documented reason(s) for referral to CIT provided must be provided by school/ agency Young person interviewed , given a skills assessment and orientation to the program Head of Department approved enrolment of 16 yr olds College Director approves enrolment of young person under 16 No Person aged16 but under 18 applies to enrol Head of Department Approves enrolment of 16 year old yes Young person referred to Careers Advisor for pathway planning advice No Head of Department ensures that, 1. as staff are employed, they complete a Prohibited Person Declaration Form (kept in the College) and understand mandatory reporting requirements 2. the Police Check/Working with Vulnerable People Check application is sent to Shared Services Young person has pathway plan developed with assistance from CIT staff Young person enrols Staff assess risks. Safe environment and appropriate supervision provided Teachers monitor participation and behaviour of young students Yes Young student’s participation and/or behaviour is of concern to staff Young person counselled and assisted by Head of Department to find an alternative educational provider No Yes Staff confer with student and attempt to identify issues. Seeking advice from Counsellors could be helpful Issues resolved Staff contact Counselling and refer student to a Counsellor No Yes Staff suspect case of abuse of young person. Staff prepare a report with guidance of Counselling and submit a report to Care and Protection Services ( Ph 1300 556 728) Students Under 18 Years of Age Policy Date created: 14 September 2000 Contact officer: Director, CIT Student Services Page 5 of 8 Date updated: January 2014 Printed copies of this policy are not controlled. Always check the SIS to ensure this information is accurate. Attachment 1: Guidelines for Staff on Duty of Care Situation Staff Responsibility Attendance / Lateness Should be monitored and recorded. Contact the secondary school if the student is concurrently enrolled, or the employer if an apprentice. Bullying Required to be alert and take action if aware of bullying. Communication with parents/ guardians CIT staff should not communicate with parents or guardians without the student’s consent. Staff should seek advice from Counsellors if required. Communication with sponsor Communication could be about unsatisfactory behaviour and attendance /or responding to requests for information. For apprentices the contact would be with the employers, and for concurrently enrolled school students with the secondary school. Exclusion from a learning activity and/or class For apprentices, inform the employers, and for concurrently enrolled school students inform the secondary school. Excursions and off-campus activities Activity needs to be planned as a safe one and to meet all Institute requirements. Students under 18 will need permission from a parent / guardian. However if the student is living independently, approval of the Head of Department should be obtained. Illness / injury If serious, contact the emergency contact nominated on Banner. If a sponsored student, also contact the sponsor. Interview protocol: police interviewing student Adult nominated by the student should be in attendance – this may be a parent / guardian or staff member. Pastoral care Young students should be monitored and supported where heightened stress levels are evident. In particular this may occur in relation to assessment events, disengagement or inappropriate behaviour. If concerned, contact Counselling. Police Checks Required pre-employment as per the CIT policy. Mandatory reporting Mandatory reporting required for cases of suspected abuse. Relationships with students Staff should develop professional relationships with students that cannot be misinterpreted as a personal, as opposed to a professional, interest in the student. Staff should be aware that having an inappropriate relationship with a young student may generate civil action and /or criminal action. Restricting access to students Where there is concern for the safety or progress of students, request the visitor to leave. Call the police if necessary. Students Under 18 Years of Age Policy Date created: 14 September 2000 Contact officer: Director, CIT Student Services Page 6 of 8 Date updated: January 2014 Printed copies of this policy are not controlled. Always check the SIS to ensure this information is accurate. Smoking Staff must not smoke with young students or provide them with cigarettes. Supervision Young students should not be left unsupervised around hazards or where there has been a pattern of inappropriate behaviour or where a staff member has concerns about the student’s mental health. (Based on Guidelines in Chisholm Institute Duty of Care Policy – QMS 307, version 2006) Students Under 18 Years of Age Policy Date created: 14 September 2000 Contact officer: Director, CIT Student Services Page 7 of 8 Date updated: January 2014 Printed copies of this policy are not controlled. Always check the SIS to ensure this information is accurate. Under 17 Year Old ALERT Form Students under 17 years of age must complete this form to continue the enrolment process. Name...............................................................................................................DOB……………..CIT No: Current Address .............................................................................................. Contact numbers ....................................................................................................................................................... Previous Address ....................................................................................................................................................... Name of Parent/Guardian ......................................................................................................................................... Contact Numbers of Parent/Guardian ...................................................................................................................... Address of Parent/Guardian ...................................................................................................................................... 1. Are you currently enrolled at an ACT school? Y/N If yes, name of school ........................................................ 2. Do you intend to continue attending this school while at CIT? Y/N 3. Have you completed year 10? Y/N If yes, at which school ..................................................... 4. Have you completed year 12? Y/N If yes, at which school ..................................................... If no to questions 2 or 3 above, do you have an Exemption or Approval certificate from ACT ETD? (copy required if yes) Y/N Last school attended......................................................................................... Year completed .............................. What program are you applying for at CIT? .............................................................................................................. Approval of Head of Department .............................................................................................................................. Approval of College Director for under 16 year olds ................................................................................................. Do you have a Pathway Plan? Y/N Name of staff who assist in creating Pathway Plan ................................................................................................... CIT must notify the ACT Education and Training Directorate (ETD) of any young people under 17 years of age enrolled in their programs. Similarly should you enrol and are absent CIT will follow the procedure outlined below: - After three (3) days of absence, if you have not contacted CIT, CIT will attempt to contact you and your parent/guardian. Absences of more than three (3) days may require a medical certificate. - Where a student is absent and not able to be contacted or misses 7 days without medical certificate the ETD will be notified. - If a student is on Centrelink benefits there may be financial issues from non-attendance. - Should you decide to withdraw you must inform CIT in writing. Student to complete: I ....................................................................... acknowledge that my information may be forwarded to the ACT Education and Training Directorate. Signed .. ............................................. DATE ................ Name of staff completing form with student ............................................................................................................ **Copies of exemption/ approval forms, including any College approval forms for under 16 year olds to must be forwarded with this form to the email: CITunder17Alerts@cit.edu.au Students Under 18 Years of Age Policy Date created: 14 September 2000 Contact officer: Director, CIT Student Services Page 8 of 8 Date updated: January 2014