VCI code of practice

1. VCI is committed to maintaining high standards in the provision of education and training.
2. VCI will ensure that staff are adequately qualified and experienced for their roles.
3. Students will be assessed fairly, objectively and consistently to determine their competency and understanding of the material.
4. Except during holiday periods, the VCI office will respond to inquiries within fourteen days.
5. An appointment is usually necessary to meet with a VCI staff member at the office.
   The VCI Inc (Australia) office in Perth is normally open from 9.00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday except public holidays and during the Christmas break.

Student code of conduct

1. Students must currently be regular church attendees and active in Christian ministry.
2. Students are expected to demonstrate biblical values in their personal lifestyle that are consistent with the ministry for which they are training, and to conduct themselves in a responsible and professional manner at all times.
3. Graduation requires a satisfactory reference from the pastor, board, or local ministry supervisor.
4. Students have a responsibility to make every effort to maintain satisfactory progress in their courses.
5. Students are expected to arrive before classes commence. If they are running late they should contact the course coordinator as a courtesy.
6. Students are required to refrain from plagiarism and unauthorized collusion in written work.

Privacy policy

1. Students' records are confidential.
2. Students have access to their personal records kept by VCI. They should contact their instructor to initiate access and an appointment may be necessary. The records remain the property of VCI.
3. The privacy of people who come in contact with VCI is safeguarded in accordance with the Ten Privacy Principles of the Australian Privacy Act, summarized below.
   1. Notification. Individuals are made aware that their personal information is being collected, why it is, who it might be passed on to and that they can request access to it.
   2. Use.
      1. VCI collects only personal information that is necessary for VCI’s activities.
      2. VCI uses it only for the purpose it was collected, unless the individual gives permission otherwise.
      3. VCI does not pass it on to third parties without the individual's consent.
   3. Data quality. VCI seeks to keep any personal information accurate, complete and up-to-date.
   4. Data security. VCI seeks to protect personal information from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure. It is destroyed or deleted when no longer needed.
   5. Openness. This policy is made available to anyone who asks.
   6. Access and correction. On request, VCI will give an individual access to read, and if necessary to correct, personal information held about them.
   7. Identifiers. VCI does not require individuals to adopt, use or disclose identifiers assigned by government agencies except as required by the government agency.
   8. Anonymity. Members of the public can interact anonymously with VCI whenever it is lawful and practicable to do so.
   9. Trans-border data flows. VCI does not transfer personal information to any recipient across national boundaries unless the information will be appropriately protected by law or contract in its destination, or as permitted by law.
   10. Sensitive information. VCI only collects sensitive personal information (such as about their health, political opinions etc.) with their consent.

Support Services

Trainers provide ongoing spiritual and academic support for the duration of the course. As students are required to be active church members they receive emotional, spiritual, and communal support from their church leadership.

The IT Manager provides technical support as required.

Complaints and appeals

Students have the right to complain about any unfair treatment or assessment decisions by the college, its trainers, assessors or other staff. They must first seek to resolve the matter through their local supervisor. If they are still dissatisfied, they may lodge a written complaint with the Principal, stating the nature of their complaint and giving their reasons. One purpose of the VCI policy of appeals and complaints is to apply the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness at every stage of the complaint and appeal process.

Complaints:

VCI Inc will aim to resolve complaints as quickly as possible through a process of discussion and cooperation, as soon as possible after a complaint has been received.

A complaint may be made and responded to in-person, via telephone or in writing. It is however recommended that complaints are made in writing.

All complaints will be treated sensitively having due regard to procedural fairness, natural justice and confidentiality and in accordance to the College Privacy Policy.

The parties may agree to involve a neutral third party to assist their discussion of the complaint or, where appropriate, to mediate.

Complaints must be made within twelve months following the event giving rise to the complaint.

Complainants will be kept informed of the progress of their complaint. Outcomes and decisions in relation to a complaint will be communicated to all relevant parties as soon as is practicable.

The complainant will be provided with:

• acknowledgement of the complaint within 5 college working days of receipt of the complaint
• outcome of the complaint within 60 calendar days of receipt of the complaint.

If the college considers more than 60 calendar days are required to process and finalise the complaint, the college will inform the complainant in writing, including reasons why more than 60 calendar days are required. The college will also regularly update the complainant on the progress of the matter.

Appeals:

A complainant may appeal a decision made by the college.

Grounds for appeal

• the complaint process was procedurally irregular or unfair
• new information is available that could not reasonably have been provided at the time of the complaint process and that may have affected the complaint outcome
• the complaint outcome was not fair or reasonable.

An appeal must be submitted within 20 college working days of the outcome of a complaint.

Appellants will be kept informed of the progress of their appeal. Outcomes and decisions in relation to an appeal will be communicated to all relevant parties as soon as is practicable.

The appellant will be provided with:

• acknowledgement of the appeal within 5 college working days of receipt of the appeal
• outcome of the appeal within 60 calendar days of receipt of the appeal.

If the college considers more than 60 calendar days are required to process and finalise the appeal, the college will inform the appellant in writing, including reasons why more than 60 calendar days are required. The college will also regularly update the appellant on the progress of the matter.

A Student has the right to refer their complaint or appeal to an external agency preferably only after exhausting all of the avenues of resolution available within the college.

The college will maintain records of all complaints, appeals and their outcomes.

Complainants will not suffer detriment or disadvantage as a direct result of making a complaint or appeal.

Graduation requirements

For a qualification or transcript to be issued, the student must:

1. still be enrolled for that qualification
2. not be under suspension or have a suspendable offense in process
3. have satisfactorily completed all academic requirements (e.g. satisfactorily completed assessment, sufficient units, correct selection of units)
4. have paid all debts
5. have satisfactorily completed any other requirements.