Learner Induction

1. Learner Induction Adult Learning and Skills at Gateshead Council

2. Welcome

3. Course Information • Understanding what the course entails • Awareness of times/dates • Tutor information

4. Feeling safe We want every learner to feel safe and this includes: • Understanding health and safety and who is responsible for assuring your welfare • What to do if you have an accident • Your personal safety both within and outside of the learning venue • Being free from harassment and bullying • Being treated and treating others equally and recognising others diversity • Supporting you in your learning programme • Ensuring your complaints and comments are taken seriously and dealt with efficiently

5. Health and Safety Everyone is responsible for health and safety- including you Your tutor will assess the risks in your classroom and inform you of how these risks will be minimised. This may include some of the following: • Making you aware of trailing cables • Alerting you to the safe use of equipment • Informing you of things you could trip over or slip on If you see a potential hazard in your classroom please inform your tutor and other learners

6. Fire Your nearest emergency exit is…. and you should assemble….. If the fire alarm sounds please leave the classroom in an orderly manner Please do not return to collect any valuables If you have a disability please see your tutor who will explain special arrangements for you

7. Accident Please give your tutor details of a next of kin If you have or nearly have an injury or accident please tell your tutor immediately They will ask you to specify or assess themselves what action you want to take such as call 999, visit a walk in centre or go to your GP They will complete an accident report form If your tutor has an accident and requires medical attention please……….

8. Personal Safety We want you to feel safe at all times. Please use common sense at all times. For example: • Think carefully before offering a lift to another learner or a tutor • When leaving the learning venue consider your surroundings, time of day/ night and your own personal safety. You may feel more secure in a group rather than on your own • Keep your valuables safe and do not leave them unattended

9. Bullying and Harassment Bullying and harassment are serious issues that can affect not only your learning but also your health. It can take many forms such as: • An individual or group of people making you feel uncomfortable in some way • Not being allowed to voice your opinion • An act that affects your dignity or is insulting • Intimidating, hostile or offensive behaviour

10. Bullying and Harassment Bullying and harassment can be based on age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, ethnic and national origin or any other characteristic If you feel you have been bullied, harassed or treated unfairly in any way please contact our Safeguarding Officer on 0191 433….

11. Useful contacts • If you have been affected by any of the above issues or you know someone who has please contact our Safeguarding Officer on 0191 4338635. • Or If the person is immediate danger contact the police please ring 999 or Gateshead Police on 03456 043043. • For incidents affecting young people contact the Referral and Assessment Team 01914332349, Outside of hours Social Work Team contact 0191 477 0844 or Childline 0800 1111. • For incidents affecting adults contactAdult Social Care Direct on 0191 433 7033 • Outside of office hours Social Work Team contact 0191 477 0844. • For incidents of Domestic Violence Contact the Safer Families Team on 0191 433 5600 or National Women’s Aid 08-82000 247.

12. Equality and Diversity We welcome the fact that society consists of many diverse groups and individuals. You should not be discriminated against on the grounds of: • Gender, marital status, employability status, responsibility for children or dependents, race, colour, religion, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, class or sexual orientation Your tutor will challenge any discrimination or inappropriate behaviour in the classroom

13. E&D Activity • E&D Quiz • E&D activity

14. Supporting You We want you to get the best out of your learning programme If you have a learning difficulty, a disability or a health related issue please tell your tutor so that we can accurately assess any support that you may need This could include providing a support worker, assisting you with written work or arranging transport or specialist equipment

15. Supporting You Your tutor is there to help you every step of the way Please let them know if you need any help in completing any aspect of your learning programme You will be asked to complete an Individual Learning Plan- this will help your tutor plan your learning each week and it is important that you update it regularly. Your tutor will help you with this.

16. Compliments, Comments and Complaints We value the views of our learners. These help us to • Put things right when we have made a mistake • Improve our service If you have a complaint we will: • Deal with it quickly and fairly • Tell you at each stage what is happening with your complaint • Only share the information with people that need to know • Explain our decision to you

17. Your Learning Programme If course is accredited you will need to compile either a file or complete an exam at the end- your tutor will tell you how and when this will happen. You will receive a certificate for your qualification from a recognised awarding body If your course is non-accredited this means that your tutor has selected what you are going to learn In both cases your tutor will tell you what your learning programme consists of and what you will be learning each week

18. Your Learning Programme The start and end dates of your course are: • ….. to ….. There will be no classes on ….. as this is half term The learner charter explains more about what you can expect from your learning programme

19. Individual Learning plan • Your individual learning plan is your plan that will record your achievements and be evidence of the learning journey you have completed with us. You are responsible for keeping your learning plan up to date. The learning plan also gives you the opportunity to record your progress after each session so we can help you if you need extra support. • On the front of the learning plan is your long and short term goals. We would like to help you work towards these. Your long term goals maybe something personal or it could be to gain employment, or if in employment gain a promotion, get a higher qualification or volunteer. • Each week we will look at the ILP’s to see if you have met any of your SMART goals – these come from the results of your assessment, you can also add your own personal targets too. We want you to get as much from the programme as possible.

20. Facilities Your tutor will tell you where to find • The toilets • The café or refreshments where appropriate • Any other facilities such as IT rooms, library or specialist equipment You will also need for this course the following equipment: • …Pen • …Your portfolio • …Your memory stick, when issued

21. The Learner Charter You can expect: ● accurate information about courses ● easy and accessible enrolment ● an induction that will help you have a good start on the course ● friendly and helpful staff who will treat you with respect ● useful advice and guidance to help you progress onto further learning ● good teaching with regular feedback on your progression ● support if you find learning difficult ● a safe and pleasant place to learn where discrimination, bullying, physical, sexual or emotional abuse will not be tolerated ● a fee policy which takes into account those on low income ● a service which promotes excellent learning for everyone in Gateshead ● your comments, complaints and compliments to be welcomed

22. The Learner Charter We expect you to: ● arrive on time so that you don’t disrupt other people’s learning ● attend regularly and let us know when you are going to be absent ● bring everything you need for the class ● treat all staff and students with consideration and respect ● take an active part in promoting a safe learning environment ● tell us what kind of support you need ● participate fully ● agree your individual learning plan and review your progress to get the most from your class

23. Progression We want you to keep on learning. Some of the learning programmes you can take part in with us include: • Community Learning- arts, languages, ICT, leisure, history and career related courses • Skills for Life- English, maths and ESOL- taught courses and distance learning • Family Learning- supporting your children in learning and making learning fun • Vocational Learning- NVQs, apprenticeships and learning for work • Skills for Jobs- assisting you in improving your employability skills

24. Progression For contact details and further progression routes please have a look at the progression leaflet. This is available via our virtual learning environment or in paper format. Please ask your tutor for further information.