Appeals and Complaints Procedures Policy Document
Appeals, Appraisals and Complaints Procedures
Action PlansThese are used to guide students who fall behind in their work, are finding work difficult, are changing courses or modules or whose behaviour has become a problem for themselves or others. They are a form of contract between the College and the student. They are completed and signed by your tutor. When received by you, you may choose to agree, sign and return a copy to the college, or disagree and follow the appeals procedure.
One-day and short courses:
The assessment procedure for non-diploma courses of one to three days duration is by continuous assessment. The assessment is not in written form unless it becomes necessary to clarify in writing points and observations which are made on the day.
Observation is made of all aspects of treatment delivery and the criteria for assessment are;
Understanding: When the student cannot demonstrate sufficient understanding of the subject matter and the tutor believes that their level of knowledge is such that they would not be safe to carry out the treatment. Oral questions will be asked to check understanding.
Clinic Hygiene: When a student cannot demonstrate a basic level of personal or clinic hygiene in their working methods, such as to put others at risk of infection or cross-infection.
Client Care; If student under guidance does not take adequate care to check contra-indications with their fellow student or model in class and shows disregard for their welfare, they are not demonstrating sufficient client care.
Safe working posture: If a student is unable to demonstrate not only a safe working posture, but also an understanding of why it is necessary, then they would put their clients at risk as well as themselves.
Correct Pressure and Safe and Competent Application of treatment: When a student is unable to vary their pressure for the needs of their client, shows a lack of client care in applying an incorrect pressure and does not check with their client, or is for whatever reason unable to apply the massage techniques safely, correctly and as demonstrated, this constitutes unsafe application.
In the event of the tutor believing that the person attending the course would not be safe in carrying out the treatment, or act in the best interest of the person to receive it, then the tutor may write an action plan. Where practicable, the actions required should be discussed with the student and agreed, but in the event of one day courses, if the student is not present, then the action plan will be sent by recorded delivery within 48 hours. In this event, a certificate will be withheld pending the outcome of an appeal if any.
If the student agrees with the feedback, they will be given a set time within which to complete the actions agreed and will return to be re-assessed by the tutor also at an agreed time and date and at a cost of £30 per hour.
If the student disagrees with the decision, they may appeal against using the following stages;
Stage 1
Class Assessments and Appraisals: If a student believes that an assessment or an appraisal has been unfairly conducted, then an appeal can be made to the tutor and / or the school in writing within 7 days of the assessment or appraisal. Tutors will inform the Directors of any problem. If the dispute cannot be resolved, then move to stage 2.
Stage 2
Class Assessments and Appraisals: The Directors or appointed person will conduct an independent assessment or appraisal tutorial.
Stage 3
Class Assessments and Appraisals: If the re-assessment by the Directors or appointed person does not resolve the matter, the school will convene an Appeals Meeting (student, student's representative, Directors and external adjudicator agreed by both parties)
The findings of the external adjudicator will be passed to the student and these decisions are final.
Stage 4
Class Assessments and Appraisals: The appeals meeting will come to a decision which is final.
Diploma Courses
Portfolios
The Directors or tutors will usually sample student portfolios at the end of each term. Students will be notified of this sampling and written action plans will outline any amendments that are needed, with a copy held by the school.
Entry to examinations is at the discretion of the tutor. This will be based upon satisfactory completion of all written coursework. You will be required to demonstrate your understanding of knowledge and skills both practically and orally.
Inspire Massage Workshops Ltd. has an appeals policy which allows students to make a formal appeal against an assessment decision. In most instances we hope that student queries relating to assessment can be resolved informally. If you are not happy with an assessment or appraisal the following procedure needs to be followed:
Stage 1
Class Assessments and Appraisals: If a student believes that an assessment or an appraisal has been unfairly conducted, then an appeal can be made to the tutor and / or the school in writing within 7 days of the assessment or appraisal. Tutors will inform the Directors of any problem. If the dispute cannot be resolved, then move to stage 2.
Exams: Appeals must be made in writing to the Directors within 7 days of receiving the exam result or appraisal. For external exams the relevant examination body will be contacted.
Stage 2
Class Assessments and Appraisals: The Directors or appointed person will conduct an independent assessment or appraisal tutorial.
Exams: The paper or course work will be passed to the appropriate external examiner if being used, who will re-assess the paper or course work, or the paper will be re-assessed by the external examinations body.
Stage 3
Class Assessments and Appraisals: If the re-assessment by the Directors or appointed person does not resolve the matter, the school will convene an Appeals Meeting (student, student's representative, Directors and external adjudicator agreed by both parties)
Exams: The findings of either the external adjudicator or external examinations board will be passed to the student and these decisions are final.
Stage 4
Class Assessments and Appraisals: The appeals meeting will come to a decision which is final.
Assessments, Feedback, Appraisals and Records
Students should be made aware of the assessment and appraisal procedures, feedback and action plans and which apply to their course(s).Assessment Plans and Feedback Forms
These are used for most course assessments at Inspire. They clearly state the tasks to be undertaken, the area of the programme assessed and guidance about any remedial action, with deadlines.
Appraisals
All course tutors keep a lesson by lesson record of student attendance, time keeping, appearance and behaviour (professionalism). This along with the assessment record will be used to conduct an end of term appraisal. These will not be raised individually unless one is required as evidence in an appeal.
Mid-term Appraisal: Those students who have not been consistent in their level of professionalism and who have not kept up with the assessment requirements will be booked into an individual tutorial with the tutor responsible for their subject area. A verbal warning may be issued.
End of term Appraisal: If there has been no improvement by the end of the term then the student and Directors will be informed that they are not ready to take their exams.
Assessment Records
All course tutors will set work using assessment plans as above. These will provide a record of each assessment and prepare students for any exams for which they have entered. A record of marks or competence will be kept by each tutor on an Assessment Record which tracks student progress.
These can be requested for review by students at any time throughout the duration of the course.
The Assessment Records will be reviewed twice throughout the duration of the course along with student portfolios. These need to be complete to gain a qualification and all work must be returned within the deadlines set and in good time for completion of the Assessment Record.
Late course work, case histories etc.
Each course has a completion deadline. Each tutor will notify students of the specific deadline for the module they teach.If you are going to miss the deadline for handing in work, BEFORE the deadline, you need to agree a new deadline with your tutor and there must be a record of this with the tutor.
PLEASE NOTE: Any work submitted for marking after the deadline (without prior signed agreement) will be subject to possible delay if a tutor needs to be found to mark the work and where this is necessary then additional fees may be levied.
IMPORTANT:
Please notify the school if there are any changes in your personal circumstances which you believe will affect your ability to learn, continue on the course or comply with the rules and procedures relating to your chosen course(s).
Code of Conduct and Complaints
Inspire Massage Workshops Ltd. Adhere to a code of conduct, ethics and professionalism and also have signed agreements to be bound by the codes of their external examining bodies.In order to provide all students with an environment which helps them make the most of their time learning with Inspire, it is necessary to have some guidelines for conduct.
We hope that you will find these guidelines reasonable and will follow them naturally. Some of these have legal implications and it is the breaking of these rules that will result in the need to follow a disciplinary procedure.
THE FOLLOWING RULES AND REGULATIONS MUST BE FOLLOWED:
Attendance
At least an 80% attendance record is required.Dress Code
Students must observe the dress code as advisedHealth & Safety
General: If students become aware of an immediate danger which can be rectified without endangering themselves then they should deal with it and bring this action to the attention of the tutor. If it cannot be dealt with then a warning should be left and the tutor or Director notified.Smoking: is banned by law inside any public building and any teaching space falls within that definition. Smoking is not allowed anywhere outside the front of the premises or within public view.
Drugs: not to be taken in or around the premises other than for medical purposes
Alcohol and Gambling: are not permitted on or outside the premises.
Noise: Please keep noise to an acceptable level both in and around the premises. Observe quiet area rules and be aware that whilst you may be on a coffee break, there may be treatments or other teaching being conducted close by.
Mobile phones: It is especially important that these are not used outside the clinic rooms or in the clinic waiting area in order to avoid disturbing clients receiving treatments. Mobile phones must be SWITCHED OFF during classes. (Please leave the course coordinator's telephone number with anyone who may need to contact you urgently during class-time and we will endeavour to reach you immediately if required).
Harassment
We are all expected to behave in a reasonable way towards others involved in the Inspire community and show a positive respect to all. Harassment can take the form of bullying, teasing, ridicule, suggestive comments, touching or assault. A person may be deemed to be harassed on the basis of race, religion, gender, disability or other factors such as class.If students feel they are being harassed they should ask the person to stop.
If students feel they cannot approach the person/s, they should talk to their tutor or book an appointment to see the Directors.
Similarly, if any anti-social behaviour is witnessed, this should be reported to a member of staff.
Payment of Fees
Full details will be given of any costs to be met. Failure to pay these fees will result in exclusion from class and from entering exams. Receipts should be kept as proof of payment. Please see terms and conditions.Disciplinary Policy
Inspire Massage Workshops Ltd. may expel or suspend a student whose conduct is unacceptable or whose work is of an unsatisfactory standard. Individual tutors have the right to exclude a student from a single "current" class if there is serious misconduct which threatens the management of the teaching/learning situation. Such exclusion will always be reported immediately to the Directors. A recorded formal verbal warning will be issued. Depending on the seriousness of the misconduct, further action may or may not be taken.Difficulties with disruptive behaviour either from individual students or a group of students, should be discussed with the tutor and any relevant student representatives. Every assistance will be available to help sort the matter out satisfactorily.
Disciplinary Procedure
For students breaking the Code of Conduct, the following procedure will be applied and recorded on action plans, in the presence of the student and tutor or Director as appropriate, clearly stating targets and time limits:
Verbal Warning: The tutor records the verbal warning, stating the reason for the warning and clearly stating that the procedure has been explained. A copy will be sent to the college administrator and or Directors and passed to the relevant member of staff.
Written Warning: The tutor will, in the presence of the Director(s) and the student, record the reason for the warning and any action which must be taken by the student as a result.
Final Written Warning: As above, except that this time failure to comply with the agreed action will result in the student being dismissed from learning with Inspire Massage Workshops Ltd.