Warrington Borough Council Lifelong Learning Service Learner Handbook Contents Welcome 4 Policies 15 Health and Safety 5 Equal Opportunities and Diversity Statement 15 Your personal health and safety 5 Safeguarding vulnerable adults Emergency evacuation and fire safety 5 and children 17 Smoking 5 Standards 18 Responsibilities 5 Data Protection Act 19 Learner responsibilities 6 Further information 20 Provider and tutor responsibilities 6 Warrington town map 21 Safeguarding 7 Computers and safe practice 22 Learners with disabilities 7 Notes 24 Learner support 5 Want to know what else is on offer or further your skills? 8 Need extra help or want to boost your skills? 8 Key term dates 2010 – 2011 9 Our partners’ contacts details: 2010 – 2011 10 3 Welcome Health and safety We are glad you have chosen to attend one of Warrington Your personal health Emergency evacuation Borough Council’s Adult and Community Learning/Family and safety and fire safety Learning courses. We hope that this booklet will give you useful information to help you get the best from your Warrington Borough Council will take all Each centre has its own emergency evacuation reasonable steps to ensure your safety at all procedures in case of fire or other extreme chosen course. These courses are provided in partnership times during your course. It is, however, your circumstance. Tutors will give this information with local organisations and are funded through Central responsibility to seek advice and to inform to all learners during the induction; therefore, it and Local Government funding. us if you are aware of any condition which is essential for all learners to take notice of the may affect you during your time on one of our fire and evacuation procedures where they are courses. taking their course. If you would like further information about learning and If you are taking a course that involves physical Learners are asked to ensure they are aware activity you must inform your tutor of any of the evacuation procedures, emergency exits the opportunities available to you please do not hesitate restrictions or activities that may damage and assembly points of the centres in which to contact the Lifelong Learning Service at Warrington your health. We will always carry out a full risk their course is taking place. If at all unsure you Borough Council on 01925 443322 who will be more assessment of all course activities and venues. should seek the advice of your tutor, centre than happy to help or send an email to: It is essential that you follow the guidance of manager or school/Children’s Centre reception your tutor in regard to the health and safety (where a course is being held in a school or [email protected] arrangements in the venue being used and for Children’s Centre) any activity you are taking part in. In the event of an accident you should seek help from the Visit our website first available member of staff or report to the Smoking reception at your venue. www.warrington.gov.uk/lifelonglearning Warrington Borough Council operates a no smoking policy in and on the premises of all council buildings including schools and community centres. All buildings are designated as smoke free environments. We ask that you do not smoke in any venue or on their premises, please put your cigarettes out before entering these sites. 4 | Learners Handbook 5 Responsibilities Learner responsibilities Provider and tutor • to be given information about opportunities Safeguarding to take your learning further To be successful and to ensure that everyone responsibilities Warrington Borough Council takes this matter • to be given contact details for further help gets the best from the learning, we ask you to: very seriously. Procedures and policies for You can expect: and advice including any support that is protecting vulnerable adults and children are • be committed to your learning available for any additional needs you have • to be treated fairly and equally, regardless of in place and are adhered to. Any concerns which may affect your learning • treat others with respect – just be aware that your age, race, gender, disability, religion or with regard to child protection or safeguarding a joke to you may cause upset/offence to sexuality at all times Your tutor will give you contact information of adults will be dealt with according to relevant to your chosen learning provider as others • your learning will take place in Warrington Borough Council Safeguarding part of your induction, but if you need to talk Board’s procedures. If you are concerned • help prevent inappropriate behaviour by accommodation that is safe, clean, to us with compliments, complaints, advice about the wellbeing of anyone during your challenging and reporting behaviour that comfortable and accessible for you or suggestions, there are several ways of course you should report your concerns appears to be causing distress to others or • to be kept informed about the things that contacting us and giving us feedback at any immediately to your tutor or to the Lifelong yourself. affect your learning time: Learning Service, who has a named person • follow health & safety rules to keep yourself with responsibility for Safeguarding. • to be listened to, and know that your views Telephone us on: and other learners safe are heard and taken into account 01925 443322 • attend every session and arrive on time, let • to be given feedback about how your views the course tutor or venue staff know if you Learners with disabilities are used to make changes and help with Email us on: cannot attend, or think you may be late plans for future courses We are fully committed to disability equality. [email protected] If you have a physical disability or a learning • let us know what you think or ask if you • to be given information about how to make [email protected] disability support and advice will be offered. It need more help a complaint if you are unhappy about your is, therefore, essential to let your tutor/provider course or the course venue • try to complete work you are given on time Write to us at: know if you think you require support in any • tell your tutor or contact Warrington Borough • your tutor to be qualified and know how to Warrington Borough Council aspect of your learning. The range of support Council Lifelong Learning if you have any teach their subject Lifelong Learning Service includes support to access our courses and assistance in class. For example arranging worries, concerns or complaints about your • to be given a course induction so that you 3rd Floor for a reader, large print materials, accessible course know what to expect from your course Quattro Building facilities. It is important that any needs are including information and instruction about New Town House • report any concerns immediately to your known at the earliest opportunity in order that health and safety WA1 1BN tutor or to the Lifelong Learning team, if your needs can be assessed and provided for you are concerned about the well being of • to be provided with safe and suitable Your comments will be treated confidentially by your learning provider. anyone during your course equipment for your learning under the Data Protection Act The majority of our outreach centres have • use mobile phones only in emergency • to be encouraged to take an active part in accessible rooms or reasonable adjustments situations in order to avoid disrupting the planning for your own learning can be made to support your needs. learning of others • your tutor to let you know about your progress during the course and recognise and record your learning achievements 6 7 Learner support Key term dates 2010 – 2011 Want to know what else is on Need extra help or want to Monday 7th September Timetables commence from this date offer or further your skills? boost your skills? Friday 22nd October Classes finish Warrington Borough Council are committed to Our college partners also offer services to ensuring you have access to quality information support your study skills. If you haven’t done Half term (1 week) and support both during your course and for any learning for a while or simply want to brush Monday 25th October your next steps, whatever you decide you up on your skills, there is a range of services on Classes resume want to do. Whether you choose to go on to offer through our partner providers to help, this Monday 1st November further learning, are looking for volunteering includes: opportunities, seeking employment or wanting Friday 17th December Classes finish • writing skills to progress your career opportunities, we are here to help. The Lifelong Learning team • number skills Monday 20th December Christmas Holiday (2 weeks) are able to provide information on other • revision Skills opportunities, by researching information Tuesday 4th January Classes start about what is available to you or being able to • how to expand your ideas put you in touch with other specialist support • organising your time and workload Classes finish agencies if required. Friday 11th February You may also be able to access the Learning If your course is provided by one of our college Half term (1 week) Resource Centre. You probably will need to Monday 14th February partners you will be able to access information apply for a College ID in order to use these advice and guidance through their Learning facilities. Monday 21st February Classes resume Support Services. The Adult Learning Service in colleges offers access to an up-to-date Check with your learning provider for more Friday 1st April Classes finish Careers and Higher Education library service information about the facilities available to you.