OVERVIEW
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PUBLIC-FACING
Critical Incident
A critical incident is ‘a traumatic event, or the threat of such (within or outside Australia), which causes extreme stress, fear or injury’. This does not include serious academic misconduct. Strategix will immediately take the steps required to action and resolve or address a critical incident.Critical incidents are not limited to, but could include:
Serious physical injury or any threat of these
Missing students
Natural disaster
Death
Abuse issues such as domestic violence, physical, sexual or other
Severe verbal or psychological aggression
Strategix will meet all legislative requirements of State and Federal Government. Workplace Health and Safety and Workplace Relations standards will be met at all times.
POLICY
Policy:
A critical incident is ‘a traumatic event, or the threat of such (within or outside Australia), which causes extreme stress, fear or injury’. This does not include serious academic misconduct. Strategix will immediately take the steps required to action and resolve or address a critical incident.
Critical incidents are not limited to, but could include:
Serious physical injury or any threat of these
Missing students
Natural disaster
Death
Abuse issues such as domestic violence, physical, sexual or other
Severe verbal or psychological aggression
In the event of an Incident in the student’s home country:
If the incident which occurred may affect the student’s ability to participate in their studies the student will first be offered the opportunity to defer their studies until such time where they are able to undertake the studies.
Where the student is does not take wish to defer their studies or enrol into a similar course they will removed from the course as per the Student Withdrawal Procedure and any refund of their fees will be actioned as per Strategix’ Refund Policy and Procedure.
Where a student wishes to continue with their studies (as per the original planned start date) Strategix will assess the situation in order to determine the support services that would be required and determine with the student, if it is feasible for them to study in the conditions available and or if Strategix is unable to meet the support requirements to the level required by the student.
In the event of an incident on Strategix facility, Strategix will take appropriate action in line with the type of incident as follows:
Type of Incident | Action |
Serious Physical Injury or Threat of / Near Miss | |
Missing Student | |
Natural Disaster | |
Death of Student or Family Member | |
Abuse | |
Severe Verbal or Psychological Aggression |
In any applicable situation Strategix will inform/update any relevant party of the incident, which may include:
Emergency Services (Police etc.)
The Department of Home Affairs
The student’s family
Any other relevant organisation/s that may be able to assist in such a situation (i.e. community organisations or phone counselling services).
Any personal information shared with the above mentioned parties will be done so in line with Strategix’ Privacy Policy which has been developed in line with the Australian Privacy Principles.
Contact information for emergency and support services can be located in Strategix’ Learner Support Policy Procedure.
Strategix maintains a written record of all critical incidents and remedial action taken on the student’s aXcelerate profile. This is kept on the student’s aXcelerate profile for at least two years after the student ceases to be an accepted student.
Related Documents:
Glossary:
Term/Statement | Explanation |
Critical Incident | A traumatic event or situation, either accidental or deliberate, where there is risk of or actual serious harm, injury or death. |
Emergency | An unplanned or imminent event that affects or threatens the health, safety or welfare of people, property and infrastructure, and which requires a significant and coordinated response. |
Emergency contact/next of kin | The person nominated by the student in aXcelerate as their emergency contact, or where that person is unavailable, next of kin, family, or other person if appropriate. |
Standards Reference:
Standard | SNR | CRICOS | ESOS | S&S | SA | PQS | U/C | AQF |
6 |
PROCEDURE
Appendix A - Serious Physical Injury or Threat of / Near Miss
Serious Injury
If an incident occurs within or on a Strategix facility , all applicable personnel must follow STG 8.013 Incident Management - Reporting and Investigation.
In order to keep a record of the incident, the student and/or involved staff member must complete FORM 8.014 – Incident and Accident Report as soon as possible and within 24 hours.
The report will be processed as per the procedures outline in STG 8.013.
Threat of / Near Miss
If an near miss incident occurs within or on a Strategix facility the student must complete FORM 8.014 – Incident and Accident Report. This form will be processed as per TG 8.013 Incident Management - Reporting and Investigation. Where required, students have access to student support services and counselling as per the Learner Support Policy and Procedure.
Appendix B - Missing Student
“You do not have to wait 24 hours to report someone as missing” – Refer to: missingpersons.gov.au/report
The first 24 hours following a disappearance are the most crucial. The sooner police are able to follow-up leads, such as the availability of CCTV footage, the more likely the person will be found safe and well.
It is important to give the police all the facts and circumstances related to the disappearance, including search efforts already made by you and others. Relevant information may include intimate or private details regarding the missing person or their lifestyle.
Where there is concerns for someone’s safety and welfare, and their whereabouts is unknown a Strategix team member will:
First, inform and discuss the situation
Attempt to make contact the student on all contact methods available
Make contact with and communicate with the student’s emergency contact
File a missing person’s report at the local police station*.
*Missing Person’s Report (in Australia)
When filing a missing person’s report, be prepared (where possible) with the following information about the person who is missing:
Name, age, home address, and employment information.
A recent, clear and coloured photograph of the person missing.
Their physical appearance, including any identifying features (tattoos, scars, etc.).
What they were wearing when last seen.
Their last known whereabouts or intended arrangements (travelling by bus to the local shopping centre, going to the gym, etc.).
Habits and places they may frequent.
Their social media accounts/use (think Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat).
Telephone and banking information (Phone number, bank account details).
Any behavioural changes, personal, medical or emotional problems they may have experienced before they went missing.
Medication the person may use and what it is used to treat. (Do they have a medical condition police should be aware of?)
If the person has been reported missing before, the circumstances and where they were found.
Lists of friends, acquaintances, and anyone else who might have information or clues about the person’s whereabouts. (Try to include telephone numbers and home or work addresses.)
When filing a missing person report for an international student missing in Australia, the local police station will disseminate the report through INTERPOL channels to the relevant Australian police jurisdiction for further investigation.
The Australian local police station who takes carriage of the case will liaise with the Next of Kin (NOK) of the missing person, either by email or telephone in relation to ongoing investigation.
If available any friends or family of your loved one who are in Australia, may attend with the Strategix staff member to the local police station with the Strategix Staff member to assist with lodging the missing person’s report as described above.
Appendix C - Natural Disaster
In the event of a natural disaster, Students and staff are required to follow STG 8012 Emergency Management - Evacuation Plan.
If the Neural Disaster affects the student’s ability to participate in their studies the student will first be offered the opportunity to defer their studies until such time where they are able to undertake the studies.
Where the student is does not take wish to defer their studies or enrol into a similar course they will removed from the course as per the Student Withdrawal Procedure and any refund of their fees will be actioned as per Strategix’ Refund Policy and Procedure.
Where a student wishes to continue with their studies (as per the original planned start date) Strategix will assess the situation in order to determine the support services that would be required and determine with the student, if it is feasible for them to study in the conditions available and or if Strategix is unable to meet the support requirements to the level required by the student.
Any support services will be actioned in line with Strategix’ Learner Support Policy Procedure.
Any clams for psychological effect due to the disaster must be supported by official evidence, (i.e. psychiatrist report/letter). Physical effects also require evidence (i.e. medical certificate etc.). These will be kept as evidence on the students file to support the outcome of a Deferral and or Withdrawal.
Appendix D - Abuse or Severe Verbal or Psychological Aggression
Any incident which involves a child or an adult with impaired capacity you are required to complete the Mandatory Notification Child Welfare Record.
In the event of abuse a occurring on a Strategix facility
A Strategix team member will address the issue by preforming the following tasks where applicable:
Preform a risk assessment
Investigate the conditions surrounding abuse
Meet with and those involved
Involve emergency services (i.e. Police)
Contact emergency contact
Provide any support services or counselling to the student/s affected
Inforce the misconduct and/or withdrawal procedure, etc. (to the perpetrator)
In the event of abuse occurring in Australia but not at a Strategix facility or abuse in the student’s home country action is taken in line with this procedures policy.
Appendix E - Death of Student or Family Member
Death of a Family Member:
Where a death occurs a student should advise Strategix and if the student wishes to withdraw from or defer their course they must provide evidence (such as a copy of the Death Certificate).
Where evidence can be provided, the student will first be offered the opportunity to defer their studies until such time where they are able to undertake the studies.
Where a student does not wish to defer their studies or enrol into a similar course they have the opportunity withdraw as per the Student Withdrawal Procedure and any refund of their fees will be actioned as per Strategix’ Refund Policy and Procedure.
Where a student wishes to continue with their studies (as per the original planned start date) Strategix will assess the situation in order to determine the support services that would be required and determine with the student, if it is feasible for them to study in the conditions available and or if Strategix is unable to meet the support requirements to the level required.
Death of Student
In the event that a student passes away they will be removed from the course, any outstanding fees will written off. Strategix will notify the Department of Home Affairs. Where applicable, management will communicate with and work with the student’s emergency contact.
STANDARDS AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
Authority |
| See Funding |
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Regulatory Documents |
| List the Contract, audit evidence requirements, standards etc. and the applicable section or clause from each document |
Approved By | Name here | Details / Decisions: |