COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the course on Effective Learner Support Services in RTOs. This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide comprehensive support services that enhance the learning experience and outcomes for students in Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).

We begin with an introduction to learner support services in RTOs, emphasising their importance in fostering student success. You will gain an overview of RTO responsibilities in providing support services, along with an understanding of the key standards and regulations that govern these responsibilities.

Identifying learner needs is a crucial first step in offering effective support. This section covers initial needs assessments, continuous monitoring of learner progress, and customising support plans to meet individual needs. These practices ensure that each learner receives the appropriate level of support throughout their educational journey.

Providing learning and support services involves addressing diverse needs such as Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) support, access to assistive technology, and additional tutorials and online support. These services help remove barriers to learning and enable all students to achieve their potential.

Informing learners is essential for transparency and trust. You will learn about effective pre-enrolment information, ongoing communication strategies, and methods for keeping learners informed of any changes that may affect their learning experience.

Managing changes in services requires clear procedures and effective communication. This section explores how to handle changes in services, including third-party service changes, and the best practices for communicating these changes to learners.

Developing a robust complaints policy is vital for addressing learner concerns. You will learn about the essential components of a complaints policy, ensuring natural justice and procedural fairness, and making the policy publicly accessible.

Managing complaints effectively involves following a structured process. This section covers the steps in the complaints process, the importance of record keeping and documentation, and strategies for reviewing and continuously improving the complaints handling process.

An appeals policy is another critical aspect of learner support. You will understand the key elements of an appeals policy, ensuring it is publicly accessible, and how to ensure fair and timely appeals processes.

Handling appeals requires a clear and fair process. You will learn about the steps in the appeals process, the role of independent review mechanisms, and the importance of thorough documentation and record keeping.

Supporting online learners is increasingly important in today's educational landscape. This section covers ensuring accessibility in online platforms, providing technical support, and monitoring online learner progress to ensure engagement and success.

Supporting learners with disabilities involves identifying specific needs, implementing reasonable adjustments, and ensuring inclusivity and accessibility within the learning environment. These practices ensure that all learners have equal opportunities to succeed.

Supporting Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) learners requires cultural awareness and sensitivity. You will explore language support services and strategies for promoting an inclusive learning environment that respects and values cultural diversity.

Staff training and development are essential for effective learner support. This section covers training staff on learner support services, continuous professional development, and monitoring and evaluating staff performance to ensure high standards of service.

Maintaining compliance and quality assurance involves internal audits and reviews, continuous improvement strategies, and thorough documentation and evidence of compliance. These practices help ensure that learner support services meet regulatory requirements and are continuously improving.

Evaluating learner support services is crucial for understanding their effectiveness. You will learn how to gather learner feedback, analyse the effectiveness of support services, and implement improvements based on feedback to enhance the overall learner experience.

By the end of this course, you will be well-equipped to develop, implement, and manage effective learner support services in RTOs, ensuring that all students receive the support they need to succeed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Learner Support Services in RTOs

·       Importance of Learner Support

·       Overview of RTO Responsibilities

·       Key Standards and Regulations

2. Identifying Learner Needs

·       Initial Needs Assessment

·       Continuous Monitoring of Learner Progress

·       Customising Support Plans

3. Providing Learning and Support Services

·       Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) Support

·       Access to Assistive Technology

·       Providing Additional Tutorials and Online Support

4. Informing Learners

·       Pre-Enrolment Information

·       Ongoing Communication Strategies

·       Informing Learners of Changes

5. Managing Changes in Services

·       Procedures for Service Changes

·       Communicating with Learners

·       Handling Third-Party Service Changes

6. Developing a Complaints Policy

·       Essential Components of a Complaints Policy

·       Ensuring Natural Justice and Procedural Fairness

·       Public Accessibility of the Policy

7. Managing Complaints Effectively

·       Steps in the Complaints Process

·       Record Keeping and Documentation

·       Review and Continuous Improvement

8. Developing an Appeals Policy

·       Key Elements of an Appeals Policy

·       Public Accessibility of the Policy

·       Ensuring Fair and Timely Appeals Processes

9. Handling Appeals

·       Steps in the Appeals Process

·       Independent Review Mechanisms

·       Documentation and Record Keeping

10. Support for Online Learners

·       Ensuring Accessibility in Online Platforms

·       Providing Technical Support

·       Monitoring Online Learner Progress

11. Supporting Learners with Disabilities

·       Identifying Specific Needs

·       Implementing Reasonable Adjustments

·       Ensuring Inclusivity and Accessibility

12. Supporting Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Learners

·       Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity

·       Language Support Services

·       Promoting an Inclusive Learning Environment

13. Staff Training and Development

·       Training Staff on Learner Support Services

·       Continuous Professional Development

·       Monitoring and Evaluation of Staff Performance

14. Maintaining Compliance and Quality Assurance

·       Internal Audits and Reviews

·       Continuous Improvement Strategies

·       Documentation and Evidence of Compliance

15. Evaluating Learner Support Services

·       Gathering Learner Feedback

·       Analysing Support Service Effectiveness

·       Implementing Improvements Based on Feedback

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.