Teaching and Assessment Handbook
Introduction
- This Handbook aims to provide Teachers and Assessors with important information regarding:
- East Coast Gestalt Training' s Mission statement and objectives
- East Coast Gestalt Training' s Policies and procedures
- National Assessment Principles
- Meyer Key Competencies
Contents
| Continuous Improvement | |
| Professional Development | Contracts & Payment |
| Assessment | |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) | |
| Course Delivery | |
| Assessment validation | |
| Evaluation and Review |
Mission Statement
The mission of the East Coast Gestalt Training program is to promote the application of Gestalt theory and practice and to train competent Gestalt Therapists.
In fulfilling this mission, the curriculum provides a training program of excellence which emphasises the experiential nature of learning, theory and practice, personal growth, supervision and professional development.
The design of this program is guided by the central belief in the wholeness of human experience and the responsibility of all participants, leaders and students, for their own personal growth and ongoing professional development.
As a higher educational institution, East Coast Gestalt Training is committed to providing the hightest standards of practice in the teaching-learning environment, and in the administration of the program.
Continuous Improvement
East Coast Gestalt Training employs systematic, comprehensive and collaborative processes in all aspects of its activities.
The Institute is committed to continuous improvement of its systems through identifying and acting on opportunities for improvement.
Complaints, Grievances and Appeals
East Coast Gestalt Training deals with all complaints, grievances and appeals promptly and systematically. Staff and students are informed of the Complaints, Grievances and Appeals Procedure through:
- Student orientation sessions
- Staff induction sessions
- Code of Practice
- Training Manual
Grievance
In the spirit of gestalt priciples it is important that any employee or contractor with a grivance against a person/ persons have a forum where their issue can be dealt with in an apropriate manner and it that is given the time, contact and consideration it deserves, in order to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
What is a grievance?
A grievance is another word for concern or complaint to do with work.
What are some kinds of grievances?
Any problem, concern or complaint where you feel you are being unfairly treated is a grievance and any person can have one.
Some examples are:
- You may have trouble or conflict with one or more other members of staff.
- You may feel you are not getting enough information at work and this is preventing you from getting on with the job
- You may feel you are being harassed or descrimated against.
Procedures
What do you do if you have a grievance? Folllow the grievance policy, as described on the website.
Legislative Compliance:
East Coast Gestalt Training considers the occupational health, safety and welfare of its staff and students to be of the utmost importance. East Coast Gestalt Training takes all reasonably practicable steps to provide and maintain a safe and healthy workplace and learning environment.
A successful OH & S program is dependent upon all persons on Institute premises sharing responsibility for insuring a safe and healthy environment.
The Institute has a designated person with direct access to the Chief Executive who has defined responsibility and authority in relation to occupational health and safety issues within the organisation.
The Institute ensures all staff, students and students are aware of their responsibility regarding OH & S issues through provision of safety information and education.
Smoking is prohibited on Institute premises. Alcohol and/or illegal drugs are prohibited on East Coast Gestalt Training premises.
Any action by staff or students that jeopardises the health, safety or welfare of others may result in dismissal.
OH & S in delivery and assessment
The delivery and assessment of all courses incorporates relevant OH & S requirements. These include contra-indications for therapeutic work such as when an individual is experiencing psychosis.
All injuries, accidents and near misses must be reported to the OH & S Officer and recorded in the Accident and Injury Log Book. All incidents will be investigated and action taken to prevent their re-occurrence. A first aid box and manual will be available for use by staff and students.
Emergency and First Aid Procedures
First Aid Procedure
- The first aid box, manual and First Aid Record Book is kept in the cupboard in the Kitchen, above the fridge. The cupboard is clearly marked.
- Provide first aid assistance as required
- Provide a quiet and private place for individual to rest if required
- Refer individual to medical services if necessary
- Record details of first aid treatment in First Aid Record Book
Emergency Evacuation Procedure
- Make sure emergency exits are kept clear at all times
- Use appropriate fire fighting equipment if situation can be contained immediately
- Evacuate building and request students to congregate in designated place away from danger
- Contact fire department
- Use attendance register to make sure everyone from the building is present
- Record details of event in Accident and Injury Log Book as soon as possible
Accident and injury recording and investigation
- Provide immediate first aid to individual
- Obtain medical treatment if required
- Make sure scene of accident, near miss or injury remains untouched until investigation is carried out
- Obtain statements from all witnesses to the accident, near miss or injury
- Obtain statement from injured individual as soon as possible
- Reconstruct sequence of events that lead to accident, near miss or injury
- Evaluate accident, near miss or injury and identify causes where possible
- Write up report of accident, near miss or injury in Accident and Injury Log Book
Set out report under following headings:
- Date, time and place
- Description of incident (i.e. accident, near miss or injury)
- Sequence of events that lead to incident
- Witness statements
- Evaluation of incident
Develop and implement strategies to minimise risk of similar incidents occurring
Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO)
East Coast Gestalt Training supports equal opportunity in the selection of employees and ensures that people are not discriminated against on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, beliefs, marital status, physical or intellectual disability, homosexuality or age. This means that all employees and those seeking employment are entitled to equal consideration and respect in their dealings with East Coast Gestalt Training.
East Coast Gestalt Training is committed to supporting full access to the organisation p s employment opportunities by people from disadvantaged groups. This includes those disadvantaged socially, geographically, educationally, physically and intellectually, racially or by gender. At the same time East Coast Gestalt Training also seeks to ensure the highest standards of service delivery through the employment of the best-qualified staff most suited to the available positions.
East Coast Gestalt Training is committed to supporting individuals with a physical or intellectual disability enjoy full access to employment opportunities and training programs offered by the organisation and encourages them to participate as fully and independently as possible.
East Coast Gestalt Training:
- Reflects positive attitudes and is inclusive of people with a disability
- Strives to develop positive, informed and non-discriminatory attitudes to the needs of students with a disability amongst staff and students
- Makes reasonable adjustment in its workplace, training venue, service delivery, operations and resources in order to cater for individuals with a disability
- Arranges support services and equipment in consultation with individuals with a disability
- Ensures that individuals with a disability are consulted on all matters that affect them in relation to their disability
- Respects individuals' rights to privacy
- Works co-operatively with external agencies to achieve optimal outcome for individuals with disabilities
- Encourages students with a disability to discuss their needs upon enrolment
- Allows carers or interpreters to accompany students with a disability free of charge
- Provides resources to assist students with a disability obtain maximum value from its training programs
East Coast Gestalt Training believes that all staff, students and students are entitled to enjoy a work and learning environment free of workplace harassment.
Workplace harassment includes:
- unsolicited approaches, comments or physical contact of a sexual nature
- victimisation
- bullying
- racial vilification
Harassment can be based on a person's racial origin, age, maritial status, disability, pregnancy, religion or sexual prefernce. Harassment can also be sexually based.
Examples of inappropriate behaviour constituting sexual harassment can be making unwelcome approaches to people of either gender, telling sexual jokes or inuendoes, touching or flirting with unwilling persons, making unwelcome sexual advances or requesting sexual favours.
There are many types of harassment: verbal and non-verbal. Here are some types: verbal threats, teasing, offensive jokes, stalking, name calling, offensive hand or body gestures spreading rumours or making fun of somebody.
Referring to females as girls may be considered offensive by some females and this should be taken into consideration.
You are encouraged to come forward immediately if you have any harassment concerns.
Procedures
It is the policy of East Coast Gestalt Training that harassment of any type will not be tolerated.
At East Coast Gestalt Training we urge any person who believes that they are being harassed to report the matter to a senior member of the Institute immediatey.
Workplace harassment complaints are dealt with in a strictly confidential manner and are investigated promptly and thoroughly by the East Coast Gestalt Training designated workplace harassment complaints officer.
All complaints will be treated seriously and action will be taken to stop the harassment.
East Coast Gestalt Training supports equal opportunity in the selection of employees and students and ensures that people are not discriminated against on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, beliefs, marital status, physical or intellectual disability, homosexuality or age. This means that all employees and students are entitled to equal consideration and respect in their dealings with East Coast Gestalt Training.
Alcohol
The consumption of alcohol during business hours by staff or faculty is prohibited unless specific permission is given by the management of each institution.
This does not apply to special events where alcohol is served.
It is a fact that alcohol impairs judgement interfering with the ability to be present (of the imbiber) and can lead to unpleasant consequences. This could lead to accidents which could effect the offender as well as others in the environment.
Illegal Drugs
The use of and/or possession of non-prescription drugs is illegal. Persons found in possession or to be percived to be under the influence of drugs on the premises will be escorted from the building and the police notified.
This policy applies to all staff and contractors (visiting trainers and presenters). Alcohol or drugs are not permitted on the premises and persons found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be asked and escorted to leave the premises by an authorised member of the staff.