29. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. WHAT IS REASONABLE ADJUSTMENT?

Reasonable Adjustment for Skills Maintenance:
The principle of reasonable adjustment means ‘to alter or change the conditions under which someone performs a task to enable them to demonstrate a similar level of competence as any other person performing the same task’.

Basically, the assessment process may be modified so individuals are not disadvantaged. For example, a learner with issues relating to language, literacy or numeracy may be asked to demonstrate a process rather than explain it in writing. As an inclusive organisation it is important that SLS employ reasonable adjustment where appropriate.

To make a reasonable adjustment, read the assessment carefully and give consideration to the following:

• The requirements of the task. What is this particular task actually assessing?
• The conditions under which the task is to be performed. If the conditions at the time are different, will this make the task harder?
• The ability to replicate the skill being demonstrated. Would the member be able to do the assessment again at another time without the adjustment?
  

The conditions may be altered so long as the requirements remain the same. For example, the requirements of the run-swim-run are to demonstrate an individual’s ability to:

• Run a medium distance on the sand;
• Swim a medium distance in the surf; and
• Perform both of these at a reasonable pace.
  

If the surf conditions are moderate-to-rough on the day you are conducting the activity, you may make a reasonable adjustment along the following lines:

• Adjustment Option 1: allow extra time for your members to complete the activity. How much time you allow is up to your discretion and judgement– you must feel confident that the members are able to demonstrate the skills in the time you allow. Too much time will not meet the criteria of ‘reasonable pace’; OR
• Adjustment Option 2: reduce the distance members are required to swim. Again, you will need to use your discretion and judgement – is the distance you have determined sufficient to demonstrate competency in surf swimming?
  Note: Section 24 of the 2019/20 Surf Life Saving Queensland Patrol Operations Manual (Version 1 Page 5 of 9) states that reasonable adjustment in the run-swim-run cannot be made for people who are not able to run on sand. Surf lifesaving activities require a reasonable level of fitness and physical ability. While SLSA encourages participation from all members of the community, we expect that active patrolling lifesavers are physically capable of walking and running on sand when required and swimming in the surf with confidence. If you are unsure about whether a reasonable adjustment can be made, you should seek a second opinion from another assessor.
  

Be sure to make a note of any reasonable adjustments you have made on your final paperwork and in the comments box of the Surfguard Assessment Request.

2. WHO CAN HELP ME FURTHER?

There are a number of avenues that can provide further assistance to you:

• Branch Office
• Branch Education Officer
• SLSQ Regional Education Staff
  

3. WHERE DO I FIND RESOURCES?

Resources can now be found in the following locations:

• SLSQ App – one stop shop for all information relating to SLSQ operations (from junior activities and lifesaving/patrols to surf sports). Search “SLSQ” in your App Store or visit: https://slsqcm.entegyapp.com.au/
  

• SLSQ Patrol Operations Manual – for all information in relation to lifesaving and patrol operations (updated annually). Visit: https://slsqcm.entegyapp.com.au/Page/61/3956

• SLSA Members Area – one stop shop for member information sources from all clubs, branches, states and national groups. This is the website to visit to renew your membership or join a club, view your patrol roster or awards list and undertake online training modules. Visit: https://members.sls.com.au/

• SLSA Learning App – online app where a member can undertake online training. Search “Learning” in your App Store.

• SLSA Assessing App – online app where SLSQ Skills Maintenance assessments/sign off can be undertaken. Search “Assessing” in your App Store.

• SLSA Publications App – online app where a member can view guides and publications from SLSA. Search “Publications” in your App Store.

• SLSA PSAR35 Manual – The PSAR35 Manual is no longer located in the SLSA Publications App. To access the PSAR35 Manual, visit: https://sls.com.au/psar35

4. WHO HANDLES SURF SPORTS AWARDS?

Surf Sports Awards include:

• Officials Accreditation
• Coaches Accreditation
• Boat Sweep Accreditation
  

Officials Accreditations

• Please contact your Branch about Officials Courses. It is the Branch responsibility to run officials courses
• You can find information about officials courses on the SLSQ App Officials Information
  

Coaches Accreditations

• SLSQ is responsible for overseeing the accreditation of coaches in the State.
• You can find information about coaches courses on the SLSQ App Coaches Information
  

Please contact the Surf Sports Development Officer – Daniel Homer dhomer@lifesaving.com.au

5. WHO HANDLES SERVICE AWARDS?

Service Awards include Age Manager, Official, Trainer and Assessor (these are awarded in 5 – 60 year increments).

These are looked after by the Membership Services Team. Please see the SLSQ App for further details.

6. WILL I GET A NEW CPR CERTIFICATE AFTER I COMPLETE MY SKILLS MAINTENANCE?

No – our members are NOT issued with a “new” CPR certificate/Statement of Attainment at Skills Maintenance/Proficiency time. Our CPR proficiency isn’t equivalent to completing a whole CPR course. It is only a refresher to keep our skills current within surf lifesaving.
If a member requires a new certificate/Unit of Competency for a work or study situation, they must attend a course (usually only the first couple of hours of a First Aid or ART course). From our previous experience, a member providing a copy of their proficient awards is usually NOT accepted as evidence for members studying in the medical profession.

Please contact your club CTO.

7. HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO RUN AN ASSESSMENT?

For any course (such as Certificate II or IRB upgrades and gap training) can be run for only one student, however, in the case where “bystanders” or other “members” are required to run a particular activity or assessment task (ie spinal carry or rescues), then the Trainer will require the use of other qualified members (ie qualified/proficient Bronze Medallion holders to assist with Bronze Medallion assessments and appropriately qualified IRB personnel to assist with IRB training/assessment) to stand in and act as patients or other patrolling members as needed.

8. WHAT TRAINING GEAR OR RESOURCES WILL I NEED TO RUN A COURSE?

The training gear/equipment and resources needs will vary from course to course. Check out the Delivery and Assessment Guide for the course you wish to run for a full list of what gear/equipment or resources will be required.

9. PREFERRED SUPPLIERS

Did you know that SLSQ Education can be used to purchase a number of items such as training manikins and defibrillators (both training and patrol defibrillators)? SLSQ Education has an agreement with Laerdal which see clubs receive a higher discount when purchasing training equipment. See the SLSQ Education website https://lifesaving.com.au/ for more details.

For other preferred suppliers, please see the current SLSQ Patrol Operations Manual for further details.