February 2024 Code News for all providers

In this edition of Code News:

  • Study Complaints| Ngā amuamu tauira now open
  • International student accommodation survey
  • Meningococcal B vaccinations (for accommodation providers)
  • Code spotlight: Taking a whole-of-provider approach
     

Study Complaints| Ngā amuamu tauira now open

Study Complaints| Ngā amuamu tauira is the new, combined student contract dispute resolution scheme. Learners can contact the Study Complaints| Ngā amuamu tauira service about:

  • Financial matters
  • Contractual matters
  • Redress claims after an NZQA investigation.

Learners can contact the service on:

Find out more about Study Complaints | Ngā amuamu tauira (external link)

Under clause 13(g) of the Code, providers must promote and publicise complaints and dispute resolutions processes to learners. Please ensure you update your website, handbooks and complaints process to reflect the combined scheme.

International Student Accommodation Survey

Education New Zealand (ENZ) has developed a survey on the provision of international student accommodation. The survey aims to understand the supply of international student accommodation and any potential capacity issues or barriers experienced by education providers who enrol international learners.

If you enrol international learners, offer student accommodation and can take part in this survey, please click the Link below. You may also forward this link to a colleague who may be interested in completing the survey.

The survey is now open and closes on 1 March 2024. It will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. All identifying information will be held and kept private by ENZ. Data will be used in an aggregated form only.

If you have any questions or comments about the survey, please email: SectorEngagementTeam@enz.govt.nz

Begin survey (external link)

Meningococcal B vaccinations (for accommodation providers)

Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium known as meningococcus. It can affect anyone – but itis more common in tamariki under the age of 5, teens, and young adults. Learners living in student accommodation may also be at higher risk because of their close contact with others.

People aged 13-25 who are living in boarding schools, hostels, and halls of residence are also eligible for free vaccinations. A free catch-up programme is available through to 28 February 2024.

Find more information on the Te Whatu Ora website (external link)

Code spotlight: Taking a whole-of-provider approach

What is a whole-of-provider approach?

A cornerstone of the Code is taking a “whole-of-provider approach” to ensure the wellbeing and safety of learners.

Under a whole-of-provider approach, learner wellbeing and safety is not the responsibility of one team or individual, but is achieved through a strategic, transparent and responsive system across an organisation. The Code expects providers to work with learners and key stakeholders to develop and maintain a system that works for their learners, context and educational delivery (see Outcome1 of the Code).

What does taking a whole-of-provider approach look like?

A whole-of-provider approach will look different depending on your organisation. It is important to consider how this approach is applicable to and effective for your learners and key stakeholders.

To enable providers to achieve a whole-of-provider approach, the Code requires providers to:

  • treat learner wellbeing and safety as a strategic focus of their organisation
  • partner with learners and stakeholders to understand their needs and what they believe is important to ensure their wellbeing and safety
  • prepare and support staff to understand and meet their responsibilities within the learner wellbeing and safety system including through regular, tailored training
  • maintain transparency about how the provider works to keep learners safe and well and the performance of these practices, and
  • undertake regular self-review and attestation to continuously improve practices and ensure they are fit-for-purpose.

Everyone plays a role in ensuring the wellbeing and safety of learners. A whole-of-provider approach can support effective implementation of the Code in a way that is relevant to an education provider and their learners.

Learn more about taking a whole-of-provider approach

Find Code implementation guidance for tertiary providers [PDF, 2.4 MB]