What is the Code?

The code for learner wellbeing and safety sets out the roles and responsibilities of tertiary education organisations in promoting and supporting your wellbeing, development and educational achievement. 

Want to find out more?  Click on the video links released by NZQA below or speak to any one of the helpful ITC team.  

It is important for tertiary learners to know about the Code so that you understand what services and support are available to you during your studies.  NZQA has published a number of video resources to help you understand the Code.

These videos were written for learners, by learners, and cover a wide range of topics about the Code. Please click the following links to help you better understand the code. You can view these here NZQA Code Channel.

NZQA have translated summaries of the Code for international tertiary learners and their families, please click here to view these options.

NZQA has released a series of videos outlining what support domestic tertiary and all international learners can expect for their wellbeing and safety while studying.  These videos aim to support learners’ understanding of the Code of Practice (2021).  You can watch the videos by clicking here.

For more information about the complaints process, please see the iStudents Complaints flyer here.

#KnowtheCode

Outcome 1 A learner wellbeing and safety system

Well implemented

Providers must take a whole of provider approach to maintain a strategic and transparent learner wellbeing and safety system that responds to the diverse needs of their learners.

ITC provide a very safe study environment for our students and support them very well.  ITC implements a strategic approach to planning and goal setting to ensure a whole-of provider approach to wellbeing and safety, accounting for the diverse needs of our student body.

Our strategy is developed at a CE level down through the senior management team.  Our values and direction are shared with all staff as part of their induction and in the ITC staff manual.  Students also have these values and expectations shared with them in their induction and in the student handbook.

We have clear processes for the harassment, safety and well-being of our students and help is available to students outside of college hours if required.  We adhere to all NZ health & safety work place requirements.   Policies are written in the Student Handbook, Student Noticeboards and ITC website. Evidence of this is in:

• Student feedback
• Student evaluations set and ad-hoc throughout the course
• Meeting minutes

Meetings such as the advisory board, senior management team, student council, academic and quality team, tutorial team, health and safety reps, ensure all stakeholders are aware of, and committed to, the implementation of wellbeing practices within ITC.

Outcome 2 Learner Voice

Well implemented

Providers understand and respond to diverse learner voices and wellbeing and safety needs in a way that upholds their mana and autonomy

ITC provide this through interactive teaching and learning that respects diversity and fosters equity.  Students culture, belief’s, religion is respected at ITC.  We operate an inclusive environment for all at ITC.

We work hard to foster student engagement and provide various avenues for students to do this both formally and informally.  Evidence of this is in:

• Student evaluations at induction, mid-course, end-course
• Subject evaluations, Ad-hoc evaluations
• Individual learning plans – one on one interviews at mid-course
• Weekly home tutor meetings
• Student Council
• ITC Open door policy
• Student services team
• Student suggestion box
• Weekly Business class online newsletter

It is equally important students are enabled to voice concerns and complaints. This process is set out clearly in induction, in the student handbook, student noticeboards and on the ITC website. Complaints are captured via internal forms or documented in meetings or notes in a student’s file. Students are supported to seek internal resolution. The relevant DRS scheme is also detailed for students to external mediation should it be required.

Outcome 3 Safe, inclusive, supportive and accessible physical and digital learning environments

Well implemented

Providers must foster learning environments that are safe and designed to support positive learning experiences of diverse learner groups.

ITC effectively supports learning environments that are safe, inclusive, supportive and accessible for all students. We provide this through interactive teaching and learning. Students have different platforms to feedback on their learning, tutors, learning environment and College Life.  Evidence of this is in the use and feedback from student evaluations and in completion statistics, employment outcomes and success for diverse learner groups showing that the above approach builds learning environments in which all students can achieve.

Outcome 4 Learners are safe and well

Well implemented

Providers must support learners to manage their physical and mental health through information and advice, and identify and respond to learners who need additional support.

ITC provide this through an open-door policy throughout our organisation.  Students can approach support staff (Course Advisors/Student Services) but can also approach tutorial and management staff.  This ensures support can be accessed when needed and with whom a student feels comfortable talking with. Our small class sizes and ITC whanau approach throughout our organisation, means that we know all of our students well and those experiencing difficulties are often flagged through a drop in their attendance, or a change in behaviour at College.  All staff are conscious that risk outweighs confidentiality, and in the student’s best interest, relevant information will be shared accordingly to support students to be safe and well.

• Support resources relating to physical and mental health are in the student handbook on student noticeboards and on the ITC website.
• Lifestyle and self-care are included in first module: Introduction & Communication Skills
• Two nominated support contacts collected at enrolment as part of the enrolment procedure
• All modules include activities throughout to engage students in all aspects of well-being

Evidence of this is in student evaluations, student notes in Selma (where applicable), meeting minutes.

Student Voice

Complaints and Critical Incidents

ITC encourages student feedback on our training courses and uses feedback to continually improve our training courses and services.

All students have access to appropriate guidance and support to ensure that their learning needs are met and that barriers to their progress are minimised.

ITC students are provided with a range of mechanisms to provide feedback on any aspect of their training programme, including oral, written, ad hoc, regular reviews and meetings with Academic and Support Staff.

If an ITC student is dissatisfied with any aspect of their course of study, including their grades or results in assessments, or of their experience at ITC, a clear and accessible course of action is publicly available, and notified in the Student Handbook, online, and on College noticeboards.

Classification of Complaints – What is the difference at ITC?

• Informal complaints (i.e. minor classroom irritations, misunderstandings, minor disagreements over academic matters, including marking, resource irritations such as internet access) should be directed to the person best situated to address the student complaint and facilitate a speedy resolution. Resolution is achieved by the complainant verbally expressing satisfaction with the outcome, or verbally accepting the decision reached was fair.
• Formal complaints/Critical Incidents (e. harassment, inappropriate treatment by staff or fellow students, unfairness in a formal assessment situation, marking issues that are not resolved formally, unfair application of policies, unsafe learning situation) should be made in writing.

Click here for the full ITC Complaint & Critical Incident Policy and Procedure.

Outcome 8: Responding to the distinct wellbeing and safety needs of international tertiary learners

Well implemented

We provide a very safe study environment for international students and support them very well.  All ITC international students must be 18 to enrol.  We are very effective in supporting this cohort of students and utilising external networks when and if applicable to provide extra professional support.

On top of what is mentioned in Outcome 1 our care and support meetings (including a check list) with our international students enable us to meet regularly to address any issues around well-being and a safe living environment on a regular basis, in addition to our open-door policy. We actively are asking questions about their well-being. Evidence of this is in student evaluations, care and support check list, student notes in Selma (where applicable).

Outcome 9: Prospective International Tertiary Learners are well informed

Well implemented

ITC provide this through continually looking for information to pass on to international students, which includes listening to their feedback and updating information from relevant agencies eg Education NZ and our agents etc.  We have different versions of our international student information so we can tell when these have been updated. The numerous touch points for communication ensure that ITC are relevant and consistent with the information we provide for prospective international students and in understanding their needs.

Every student profile form is read and personal course advice given to each student to match their learning and career goals.  Information is presented through:

• International specific pages on the ITC website
• Pre-enrolment info document
• Enrolment info document
• Useful Information for International students’ document

 Outcome 10: Offer, Enrolment, Contracts, Insurance and Visa

Well implemented

ITC do this very well.  We have evidence of the information provided to students to meet the Code requirements.  This information is sent to students before they enter a contract with ITC (by signing it and sending it back).  All signed paperwork is kept in hardcopy in an individual student file and electronically in their SELMA file.

Outcome 11: International learners receive appropriate orientations, information and advice

Well implemented

ITC provide this through the useful information for international students document before they arrive (also listed on our website on the pre-departure page).  Each student has a welcome meeting and welcome pack which we go through with the student on arrival.  In induction week the student handbook is covered along with induction activities for all new students.  At the end of induction, we get feedback in the form of a survey to make sure the information is relevant and helpful. Evidence of this is in student evaluations.

 ITC Student Handbook

We have a handbook that all students have access too so they can understand what is available to them during their time with us at ITC.  Learn more about this on our webpage https://www.itc.co.nz/about-us/itc-student-information/

If you need support from a friendly ITC team member please contact us today.