Intent: The purpose of this policy is to outline CHC’s principles and guidelines for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) across the College community. This includes students participating in the Professional Experience Programs for initial teacher education.

Scope: All staff, faculty, and students.

Objectives:

1. To recognise the value and importance of work integrated learning as part of preparing students for life and employment after completing their study, particularly as it relates to the following graduate attributes:

• Effective professional practice, through the application of professional knowledge and skills, and a commitment to the ethics and values of the relevant profession.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• A commitment to good citizenship, to making a difference in the world and to serving others.

2. To provide the principles by which College members should abide when undertaking WIL placements.

Policy Provisions:

1. General

• WIL at CHC may be undertaken through various Professional Practice, Practicum, and Professional Experience units. WIL units seek to create a direct linkage between the learning, skills and values engaged with in lectures, and the performance and reflection which occurs when these are applied in real-life settings.

• CHC adheres to the following principles:
  • WIL placements that involve students working, or volunteering with children in Queensland can only commence when the students have obtained a working with children clearance (a Blue Card) under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000, or where the placement occurs in another jurisdiction, when the students have obtained a Working with Children clearance under any similar applicable legislation in force in that jurisdiction.
  • A proposed host organisation will be assessed prior to students being placed to ensure the suitability of the workplace and the safety and wellbeing of students.
  • Requirements for WIL are outlined in the student handbooks, unit outlines, and as relevant, professional practice handbooks.
  • Students must always abide by the CHC Code of Conduct while engaged in a WIL placement.
  • A student’s host organisation may have additional codes of conduct, policies, guidelines, rules and workplace protocols to which the student will also be subject during the WIL placement.
  • A student engaged in WIL must disclose to their CHC Supervisor any potential conflict of interest vis-à-vis a proposed placement with a host organisation.
  • WIL placements are structured to require the learner to take initiative, make decisions and be accountable for results.
  • CHC requires mentors to place students in real-world settings, where the work is actually part of the host organisation’s action towards its goals.
  • Learning outcomes for the WIL placement are determined by the specific unit or course of study.
  • CHC is entitled to withdraw a student from a WIL placement at any time if, in the opinion of the CHC Supervisor, the student:
    • Has breached a relevant professional code or occupational safety code.
    • Has disrupted the placement program.
    • Has brought CHC into disrepute.
    • Is exposed to danger or other inappropriate situations with the host organisation.
  • In a WIL placement student are not normally provided with salary, wages, or similar benefits unless otherwise specified. However, legitimate out-of-pocket expenses incurred may be reimbursed subject to prior approvals.
  • The host organisation of a student on WIL placement is not required to employ the student at the conclusion of the placement.
• Insurance for WIL Placements

2.1 WIL units involving external placement are a required component of particular courses of study undertaken at CHC. The CHC insurance cover available to students outlined in the following subclauses only applies to WIL placements approved by CHC.

• CHC holds Public Liability Protection which provides cover for the legal liability to pay damages or compensation in respect of personal injury and/or damage to property occurring during WIL placements.
• CHC holds Professional Indemnity insurance which provides cover for the civil liability resulting from the conduct of the professional services provided during WIL placements.
• Where CHC organises the student WIL placement, it will satisfy itself that appropriate insurance coverage is in place whether by knowledge of the provider, e.g. all Queensland State Schools have coverage provided by the Queensland Government, or by a request for the host to provide evidence of the coverage.
• Where students are able arrange their own WIL placement, they will need to provide evidence that the host has adequate public liability and professional indemnity insurance.
• Students undertaking a WIL placement are covered under CHC’s insurance relating to Personal Accidents.

• When students are undertaking a WIL placement overseas, they must demonstrate to CHC that they have an approved travel insurance policy, valid for the duration of their WIL placement.