Training for People Aged Under 18 Years Policy

1. Purpose

To ensure CIT meets its legislative requirements and duty of care obligations for students under 18 years of age.

2. Scope

All students under 18 years of age.

3. Principles

3.1 CIT supports the mandatory participation in schooling until completion of Year 10, and the continuation of full-time schooling to completion of year 12 or equivalent, or training, or employment until aged 17 in line with Education Act 2004.

3.2 As an adult education provider, CIT may not be the most appropriate education provider for people under 18 years of age.

3.3 CIT does not accept people under 16 years of age in any CIT program unless they are full-time high school students, and the enrolment is part of their study plan approved by their school, e.g. ASbAs, or CIT’s Taster Programs or Commercial programs. Under exceptional circumstance, 15 year olds not enrolled in high school may be enrolled in CIT programs only if they are studying off campus e.g. via eLearn and not attending a CIT campus until they are aged 16 years, with approval from the Executive Director Education and Training Services.

3.4 CIT does not accept applications for people under 18 years of age on international student visas.

3.5 People under 17 years of age will be assessed for suitability to complete any CIT course, and referred to another education provider where appropriate.

3.6 Enrolments by people under 17 years of age (with the exception of apprentices, trainees, or school students enrolling in CIT as part of their school study) must be accompanied by a completed and signed CIT Under 17 Alert Form and forwarded to CITUnder17Alerts@cit.edu.au (see procedures). Information supplied in this form is for reporting under legislative and duty of care requirements.

3.7 People under 17 years of age who are offered a place in a CIT course (where not apprentices or trainees or not enrolled in a school program) 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. Assistance will be offered for the development of the Pathway Plan.

3.8 CIT is required to provide for the welfare of all students under 18 years of age. Staff have a duty of care for people under 18 years of age and are responsible for assessing risk, providing a safe environment, and an appropriate level of supervision.

3.9 CIT will identify all students under 18 years of age on class rosters in the Student Information System.

3.10 To protect students under 18 years of age, CIT will ensure that teachers and other staff understand mandatory reporting requirements under the Children and Young People Act 2008, where suspected abuse of people under 18 years of age must be reported to authorities. Staff are also required to have satisfactorily completed required checks e.g. police record check.

3.11 Where CIT is alerted to, or suspects that a potential student may pose a risk of harming other students or staff, and in line with duty of care requirements, a risk assessment must be conducted. This may result in CIT making a decision not to enrol a particular individual or apply conditions around their enrolment.

3.12 Teachers must take reasonable steps to ensure that teaching and learning activities involving students under 18 years of age take into account their level of maturity and learning needs.

3.13 Students under 18 years of age 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 education provider by the relevant Head of Department or relevant support staff.

4. Documentation

Responsibilities in the Learning Environment

Children and Young People Act 2008

Keeping Children & Young People Safe September 2019 (Government Community Services publication)

ACT Education Act 2004

5. Definitions

All terminology used in this policy is consistent with definitions in the CIT Definitions of Terms.

6. Policy Contact Officer

CIT Student Support

Contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au for further information.

7. Procedures

This policy is implemented through the associated procedures Training for People Under 18 Years Procedures. Authority to make changes to the procedures rests with the policy owner.