Version Information
Fri, 31 Mar 2023
Approved by: Academic Board
Current Version: V1.2
Replaces Version: V1.1
Next Review: Wed, 31 May 2023
Domain:
Institute
Student Welfare and Disability Policy
Purpose
This policy aims to enhance students’ learning experience at Metavision Institute and improve outcomes for students through the timely provision of appropriate supports. Metavision Institute aims to provide a high standard of support, appropriate to the diverse needs of its students, to enhance the quality of the student experience
Scope
This policy applies to all members of the learning community at Metavision Institute.
Definitions
Students at risk: students who are not progressing through their enrolled course as required by the course rules, and therefore at risk of not completing the course.
Probation: a student who fails to achieve an average mark of at least 50% overall in any one semester will be considered to be on probation.
Disability: Students living with a disability as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) will be provided with reasonable adjustments in assessment tasks.
Policy
Metavision Institute supports all students in their learning and provides additional services to students in need of support. Metavision Institute aims to:
- Identify students via the admission and interview process who require additional support in their study,
- Disseminate information about student support services to all higher education staff and students,
- Encourage students to access available support services,
- Communicate with students in a timely and respectful manner, and
- Ensure that staff are trained in identifying and providing support for students, and for referring students to internal and external services, as required.
Implementation
1. Student support services
Students are encouraged to contact the Student Liaison Officer or Academic Director for assistance with any circumstances affecting their study at Metavision Institute. Metavision Institute provides useful and comprehensive support as outlined below, particularly when students are identified by academic teaching staff as being in need of assistance through formative assessment, and while on placements with Host Organisations.
Intervention and support services provided to students are entered into their records.
1.1 Academic study skills assistance
Metavision Institute promotes a successful study environment that provides students with the supports or tools to assist in their studies. Academic teaching staff and tutors assist students with academic matters , as well as training and support with academic referencing conventions.
Regular contact with their assigned Study Buddy also supports students in their academic study.
The following support programs are made available for students requiring academic study skills assistance:
- Academic study skills programs, including academic writing and referencing,
- Individual tutoring,
- Study groups,
- Referral to external counselling,
- Mentoring, or referral to appropriate cultural services for mentoring, and/or
- A combination of the above.
1.2 English literacy assistance
A minimum level of English language competency is a prerequisite to entering Metavision Institute’s courses. Formative assessments scheduled early in the semester are used to identify students in need of English literacy assistance and academic study skills. Students will be allocated a tutor to assist them to develop the necessary skills and competency and will be provided with assignment extensions.
1.3 IT assistance
Students are required on admission to be computer literate due the significant online education components of the professionally accredited training courses. The office administration at Metavision Institute provides advice and support for the learning management system, Sophia eLearning platform.
1.4 Personal counselling, welfare and support
The Academic Director refers students with personal problems or distress arising from the experiential and demanding nature of study to external counsellors and other services as appropriate. In addition, student assistants who are graduates of Metavision Institute are present at workshop intensives to support and guide students. In the case of acute or crisis situations, the Academic Director provides immediate assistance and appropriate referrals to support services.
1.5 Medical and health services
A range of health services are available in the immediate Metavision Institute campus area. Details are made available in the Student Support Services Flyer and by contacting the Student Liaison Officer.
1.6 Special consideration
Students experiencing circumstances that affect their ability to succeed in their studies, who are in need of support such as assignment extensions, are advised to complete the Special Consideration Application Form. The form is to be submitted as soon as possible after their study performance has been affected. Students are required to submit documentary evidence with their application, such as medical certificates or reports, a letter or report from a health practitioner, a support letter from an employer, a statement from a relevant authority, a jury duty summons, or a funeral notice.
If the matter is serious and ongoing, affected students are to contact the Academic Director who may recommend that the student defers their studies for a time.
1.7 Reasonable adjustment
Students who require reasonable adjustment are to submit documentary evidence from their medical or health practitioner on their disability and likely impacts on study, and reasonable adjustment required, to the Academic Director. The Academic Director makes a decision on the reasonable adjustment to be provided and informs the applicant of the outcome.
1.8 Financial assistance and scholarships
All students are offered tuition fee payment plans.
Metavision Institute makes available a limited number of tuition fee scholarships annually to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and students in financial need. Scholarship applications are made on the application form available on the website and reviewed by the Scholarship Committee.
2. Referral Protocols
2.1 Self referrals
Students may self-refer to student support services. Information on how to access support services is made available on Metavision Institute’s website, the Student Handbook and the Student Support Services Flyer.
2.2 Referrals by academic teaching staff
Students identified as in need of counselling and welfare services, academic study support, English literacy assistance, special consideration and/or reasonable adjustment are to be referred to the Academic Director by academic teaching staff. Referrals are to be made as soon as possible to ensure students receive the support they need in a timely manner and to prevent student attrition.
2.3 Financial hardship
Students who do not pay tuition fees and payment plan instalments on time will be contacted by the Student Liaison Officer. In circumstances of financial hardship, the payment plan will be re-negotiated with the student.
2.4 Referrals to external services
The Academic Director refers students to appropriate internal and external support services as soon as possible after receiving referrals from the Student Liaison Officer, Course Coordinator, academic teaching staff and self-referrals from students.
Responsibilities
The Academic Board is responsible for the development, approval and review of this policy.
Line managers are responsible for training new staff in this policy in the Induction program.
The Executive Officer is responsible for ensuring this policy, the Student Support Services Flyer and related application forms are made available to students via Metavision Institute’s website.
Academic teaching staff members are responsible for supporting diverse students in their learning experience as well as in their own process of personal growth, and to refer students in need of support, welfare and disability services to the Academic Director as soon as possible after identifying the need.
Students are expected to:
- Undertake constructive study habits to achieve course and unit learning outcomes,
- Meet attendance requirements for intensive workshops and online learning,
- Regularly log into their online classrooms on Sophia,
- Maintain regular contact with their study buddy,
- Attend work-integrated placements as required,
- Follow assessment criteria specified in unit outlines when completing assessment tasks,
- Submit assessment tasks by due dates, and
- Notify the Course Coordinator or Student Liaison Officer and seek special consideration if circumstances affect their study.
Related Documents
- Financial Controls Policy Manual
- Scholarship Application form
- Special Consideration Application Form
- Student Handbook
- Student Support Services Flyer