POLICIES AND PRACTICES WITHIN WCLC

The Waverley Community Learning Centre is a Neighbourhood House that offers activities, classes and meeting rooms.
The Centre is administered by a Committee of Management all of whom are local residents committed to community development, growth and the needs of the people of Monash. We are a Community Centre of Learning and our goal is to provide a friendly, supportive and quality service to the community.

Our Semester Program has details of all classes, activities, groups and facilities.

Mission Statement

We are a not-for-profit Community Centre of Learning open to all members of the community.

Our philosophy is to enrich the community through lifelong learning.

Our goal is to provide access to opportunities for individual development and personal growth in a supportive informal environment.

Our future direction is to maintain our current diversity, with flexibility to enable us to meet changing community needs.

Enrolments

Policy
The Waverley Community Learning Centre ensures that enrolments are conducted at all times in an open, ethical and responsible manner. All enrolment decisions shall comply with equal opportunity legislation, Disability Standards for Education and curriculum requirements.

Only information necessary to provide programs, services and meet statutory requirements is collected.

Procedures
All enrolments shall be accepted in the order they are received however priority enrolment is available to continuing participants.

Enrolment forms must be completed and may be made in person, by mail, phone, email or fax; staff are available to assist with this process.

Class fees are to be paid when enrolling. Phone, fax and email enrolments must be confirmed with payment of fees within 3 days.

Concessions on class fees will be available upon production of a current:

• Commonwealth Health Care Card
• Veteran’s Gold Card
• Centrelink Pension Concession Card
• Seniors Card.

Instalments on class fees may be arranged for courses longer than 4 weeks.

Enrolees must be informed when enrolling:

• if there are any pre-requisites or safety requirements for the course
• of any additional costs to be paid to the tutor or Centre for materials used in the class
• of any materials or equipment needed for the class.

Waiting lists shall be kept for over-subscribed classes.

Potential enrolees with special needs must speak to the Centre Manager prior to enrolling. This interview will consider any special needs and where necessary make reasonable adjustments to ensure programs are appropriate to those needs.

If numbers permit:

• casual fees may apply to some classes
• arrangements may be made for potential enrolees to “sit in” on language classes to assess their suitability.

Potential enrolees for classes with pre-requisites in relation to skills, knowledge or experience must be assessed for suitability.

To ensure enrolees and continuing participants are appropriately informed of matters relating to their enrolment, course and/or activity and involvement at the Centre, the following documents shall be displayed on the noticeboard next to the office.

• Mission Statement
• Participant Information
• Privacy Statement
• Code of Conduct
• Rights and Responsibilities of Participants
• Grievance Policy • Access, Equity and Cultural Diversity Policy and Procedures
• Refund procedures
• Smoke Free Policy & Procedures.

The following information shall be contained in the Centre program booklet and on the website:

• all courses, groups, activities and services
• fees, charges and refund procedures
• an enrolment form
• Privacy Statement.

A Committee of Management noticeboard adjacent to the kitchen shall provide information on the management of the Centre and encourage involvement from participants.

ACFE
In addition to the above all participants in ACFE funded courses will receive upon enrolment:

• ACFE Student Information Sheet.
• Enrolment procedures.
• Course outline and details.
• ACFE Class Fees Schedule.
• Initial assessment – ESL enrolees.

In the case of enrolees for ESL courses the information will be explained at the Initial Assessment Interview.

Refunds

Please select your classes carefully.

Refunds are available to students on the following basis:

  • refunds are only available until 7 days prior to the commencement of classes unless there is a waiting list for the course;
  • an administration fee of $20 applies to all refunds unless a course is cancelled;
  • no refund for missed classes

The request for a refund must be made on the appropriate form available from the Office.

Hours of Operation

Daytime, evening and weekend classes and activities are offered.
Office Hours are 9am - 4 pm Monday to Friday.
The Centre is closed during all School Holidays, Public Holidays and the Monday preceding Melbourne Cup Day.

Child Care - Bookings Essential on 9807 0233

Limited places are available Monday to Friday.
The Child Care Centre is closed during all School Holidays, Public Holidays and the Monday preceding Melbourne Cup Day.
Children must be enrolled when you are enrolling in your class.
Child care is also available for the general community while parents have a break, work, shop or attend an appointment.

Information Available to Participants

Detailed program of all courses, groups, activities, services, including fees and charges available from the office or on our website.
Information for participants is available on the noticeboard by the office

Smoke Free Policy Environment

Policy
The Waverley Community Learning Centre is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning and work environment. To comply with this statement, and the Centre's Health and Safety Policy and the City of Monash Corporate Policy for a Smoke Free work Environment, smoking is not permitted within the boundaries of the property.
This policy also applies to all private hiring of Waverley Community Learning Centre

Privacy Statement

Why we collect information:

The Waverley Community Learning Centre collects only information necessary to:

  • provide programs and services to meet community needs;
  • meet statutory requirements.

When you enrol we ask for:

  • your name, address and contact details: When you enrol you become a member of the Waverley Community Learning Centre for the duration of the enrolment. There is a legal requirement to include this information in our Register of Members. We also need these details so we can notify you should your class be postponed or cancelled.
  • information that relates to your involvement with the course of your choice:
    - so that we can plan, deliver, monitor and evaluate effective and relevant programs and services
    - provide special assistance if required for persons with disabilities.
  • statistical information: This includes date of birth, language spoken at home, level of schooling, employment status and postcodes. This information is collected and stored on a database for statistical purposes. As we conduct government-funded courses, we are required by law to collect this type of information, to comply with the relevant government authority's reporting requirements.
  • racial origin if you are Koorie or a Torres Strait Islander: This information is collected for government agencies for statistical purposes to assist targeted educational services.
  • information on "How you found out about the Centre"? This assists us in planning our marketing.
  • proof of your entitlement: If you claim a concession:
    - for a government subsidised course we need to record your concession card number
    - for all other courses we need to sight your card as evidence of your entitlement.

We are required by law to provide reports to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research. These contain statistical data plus your name and address. The National Centre for Vocational Education Research:

  • is a not-for-profit organisation owned by the state, territory and federal ministers responsible for vocational education and training
  • complies with the Privacy Act and the National Privacy Principles which form part of the Act when handling your information.

Should you have any concerns a copy of the National Centre for Vocational Education Research's Privacy Policy is available from the Centre Manager for your perusal.

How we collect information:

Information is collected on our enrolment form. This information is then entered onto our computerised enrolment package.

Your name with contact details and receipt number are entered onto the office class enrolment sheets, and your name is entered onto the class attendance sheet used by the tutor to monitor attendance. The enrolment forms are stored for 5 years and then shredded.

Our Website

During your visit to this Web site our operating system will record:

  • the Internet domain of your internet service
  • the type of browser you are using
  • the type of operating system that you use, such as Windows or MacIntosh
  • the date and time you visit our site
  • a referring Web page if you were referred by a previous page link.

This information is collected and is used for statistical analysis and to help improve our site for users.
We do not use cookies on our site.
When you choose to send us a completed electronic form that includes your personal details we do collect personally identifiable information, such as your name, address and email address. This will only be used for the purpose you provided it and we will not use it for any other purpose without your consent.

If you have concerns:

If you have concerns about the collection or storage of information please contact the Centre Manager on 9807 6011. Any concerns will be dealt with promptly and fairly, problems will be addressed and you will be advised of the outcome. Please be assured that any information provided to us is kept confidential and any concerns you may raise about the handling of your information will also be kept confidential.

Collecting and holding correct information:

It is important that our information is accurate and up to date. If you think that any information we hold requires correction or updating please contact the office staff.

Security and Confidentiality:

Protecting your privacy and personal information is important to the Waverley Community Learning Centre. Specific security measures are employed to prevent unauthorised access to computer and paper records. Personal information can only be seen by staff who are involved in the delivery of your enrolled course.

Disclosure:

No identifying information is disclosed to third parties unless required by law or with your consent.

Photographs:

No photos of individuals or groups will be used in Centre marketing and/or publicity without the permission of the people photographed.

Access:

If you want to access your information please contact the Centre Manager.
A copy of the Waverley Community Learning Centre Privacy Policy and Procedures is available upon request for the usual photocopying fee.