Single Equality Scheme
Introduction
The Single Equality Scheme (SES) is a public commitment of how the college plans to meet the duties placed upon it by equality legislation and through good practice.
The college recognises that in accordance with the Race, the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, and the Equalities Act 2006/the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, we have very specific obligations under “The General Duty to Promote Racial Equality, The General Duty to promote Disability Equality and the General Duty to promote Gender Equality”
As a matter of good practice and changes to current and future legislation, we decided that we would introduce an equality scheme whereby we are able to identify our priorities and areas for improvement in the wider context of equality and cover all 6 equality strands (Race, Disability, Gender, Sexuality, Age and Religion or Belief)
Our equality scheme will promote and identify issues of inequality relating to the specific general duty to promote as follows:
Race
We will aim to:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination
- Promote equality of opportunity
- Promote good relations between people of different racial groups
Disability
We will aim to:
- promote equality of opportunity between disabled people and other people
- eliminate discrimination that is unlawful under the Disability Discrimination Act
- eliminate harassment of disabled people that is related to their disability
- promote positive attitudes towards disabled people
- encourage participation by disabled people in public life
- take steps to meet disabled people’s needs, even if this requires more favourable treatment
Gender
We will aim to:
- Eliminate unlawful sex discrimination
- Promote equality of opportunity
- Promote good relations between men and women
In addition to the legislative requirements our equality scheme also includes the following areas of equality:
- Sexuality
- Age
- Religion and belief
Purpose
In particular we will focus on the monitoring process and we will identify issues impacting on all the above aspects of equality and aim to:
promote equality of opportunity- promote good relations
- eliminate unlawful discrimination
- eliminate harassment
The aim of our equality scheme is to enable us to achieve:
- the continuing positive development of policies and practices
- an accessible inclusive learning environment
- satisfaction among our service users
- a representative workforce at all levels
Involvement
Although we have consulted widely on the college’s equality scheme, under the Disability Equality Duty (DED) there is a specific duty to involve disabled people in the development of the disability equality scheme (DES). In developing our disability equality scheme we have consulted and involved people with disabilities.
Responsibilities
The Principal is responsible for equal opportunities and the promotion of equality.
The Diversity Group will keep the above aims in mind when identifying issues through the monitoring process. This group will monitor the data provided, identify issues and make recommendations to the Senior Management team.
Senior Management Team is responsible for ensuring appropriate equality action plans are in place, that action is carried out and followed up and that equality of opportunity is promoted.
College managers are responsible for ensuring improvements and action plans are implemented and met, and that they operate fair and consistent management practices in both curriculum management and staff management.
All staff are responsible in the general promotion of equality.
The Corporation will regularly be updated, informed of our practices and will be included in the monitoring process.
The implementation plan
The Equality Scheme for 2005 – 2008 has been updated and an updated revised version is now available for the period 2008 – 2011. In order to inform the scheme, the college has consulted with students, college governors, all staff including specific groups of staff, people with disabilities and the trade unions.
Click here to download our full version of the Single Equality Scheme.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of our equality scheme or wish to comment on the scheme or any of the actions/progress, in the first instance please contact:
Ranjna Parmar
Director of HR
Information
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