Policy last updated: 2 October 2018
Introduction
- Lewtay Training is committed to providing equal opportunities for staff, students and service users and to eliminating discrimination. Lewtay’s mission is achieved, in part, by ‘providing teaching and learning in a community where diversity and internationalism are positively welcomed’. In addition, ‘respecting and valuing all individuals’ forms one of Lewtay’s core values. Lewtay understands and appreciates the benefits of a diverse workforce/learning community and strives to create and maintain an inclusive environment.
- The purpose of Lewtay’s policy is to provide equality and fairness in all activities. This is achieved by responding to peoples’ individual needs in order to ensure they have an equal chance to contribute and achieve their potential. It is not about treating everyone in the same way.
- Diversity is concerned with respecting the differences within minority groups and not expecting everyone to conform to the ways of the majority groups.
- Lewtay aims to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership or socio-economic status.
- This policy is supported by a number of other policies and procedures with which it should be cross referenced including:
- Recruitment and Selection policy
- Disciplinary policy and procedure,
- Complaints procedure, Grievance (including Bullying and Harassment) procedure and the Disability Disclosure process;
- Safeguarding policy, Health & Safety policy
- British Values information
Statutory responsibilities
- The Equality Act 2010 forms the basis of this Equality and Diversity policy, which defines the protected characteristics as:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender
- Race
- Religion and belief
- Sexual Orientation
- Gender Reassignment
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Marriage & Civil Partnerships
- Whilst all nine characteristics apply in the employment duties of the Act, the characteristic of marriage and civil partnerships is not included in the education duties of the Act.
- Other aspects of a person’s identity, background or circumstances can cause them to experience discrimination, for example a person’s class, background, appearance, parental status, employment status or alternative lifestyle. Lewtay Training is committed to advancing equality and eliminating discrimination on these and other grounds.
Aims
- In line with the Public-Sector Equality Duty, Lewtay Training is committed to ensuring that:
- Discrimination, harassment and victimisation are eliminated, to make the training environment as safe and inclusive as possible;
- equality of opportunity is advanced between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
- any achievement gaps are narrowed and closed;
- good relations are fostered between people who share protected characteristics and those who do not, e.g. by promoting understanding of equality and diversity throughout the learning experience.
Outcomes to be achieved to meet these aims
Fair and equitable procedures operate in relation to recruitment, selection, management and training of staff;
- learners receive fair and equitable treatment in relation to admission, administration and assessment procedures;
- policies and procedures are operated fairly and free from discriminatory practices;
- proportionate positive action can be taken where there is evidence that participation is disproportionately low for people who share a protected characteristic, where they experience a disadvantage or in order to meet their different needs.
- staff, students, employers and partner contractors are appropriately trained and have access to comprehensive information which assists them to plan, implement and monitor actions to carry out their responsibilities under the policy;
- staff, students, employers and partner contractors are aware of the value placed upon equal opportunities and that action will be taken in the event of any breach of the policy;
- staff, students and partner contractors are treated with respect and dignity;
- equality and diversity is incorporated within our policies, procedures, practices, plans and activities;
- inequality, prejudice and discrimination are challenged; an inclusive environment is created where equality and diversity are celebrated.
Roles and responsibilities
- The Governing Body designates the Centre Manager as having overall responsibility for equality issues. The Senior Management Team support the centre manager in ensuring equality and diversity runs through the whole organisation.
- Directors are responsible for ensuring that:
- They are aware of the Governing Body’s statutory responsibilities in relation to equality legislation as an employer and a service provider;
- The membership of the Governing Body strives to reflect the diversity of the communities served by Lewtay Training; they respond to monitoring information on staff, learners and applicants and agree a course of action.
- The Senior Management Team is responsible for ensuring that:
- They are aware of Lewtay Training’s statutory duties in relation to equality and diversity legislation;
- all policies and procedures are equality impact analysed;
- procedures for challenging all forms of discrimination, harassment, victimisation and unacceptable behaviour are widely promoted;
- All Managers and staff must ensure:
- a positive, inclusive ethos is created encouraging feedback;
- business communications reinforce the inclusive messages and become incorporated into day-to-day processes;
- members of staff understand the significance of equality and diversity and know how to incorporate this into their work;
- Managers are responsible for ensuring that:
- They are aware of the Lewtay’s statutory duties and the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion policy and associated policies and procedures are implemented fairly in their area of delivery;
- they lead by example and challenge inappropriate language and behaviour by learners, staff, visitors, partner contractors, work placement providers, support workers, teaching assistants accompanying learners and other contractors associated with Lewtay Training
- student induction programmes and tutorial programmes reflect Lewtay’s commitment to promote equality of opportunity.
- curriculum activities actively incorporate equality and diversity issues;
- staff induction, continuous professional development and performance management reflect Lewtay’s commitment to equality of opportunity;
- they attend the appropriate equality and diversity training, including more intensive training where a need is highlighted to support their learning;
- they provide teaching, learning and assessment methods, support and resources that meet the individual needs of students.
- Staff are responsible for ensuring that:
- They attend the appropriate equality and diversity training, including more intensive training where a need is highlighted to support their learning;
- they understand, uphold and engage with Lewtay policy on equality, diversity and inclusion by challenging inappropriate behaviour by students, staff, customers, employers, partner contractors, work placement providers, support workers, accompanying learners and other contractors and procured bodies and report unacceptable behaviour in accordance with Lewtay policies;
- they provide teaching, learning and assessment methods, support and resources that meet the individual needs of learners.
- Students are responsible for ensuring that:
- They adhere to the Lewtay core values and treat all members of Lewtay Training community with respect;
- they support and promote the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion policy;
- they create and maintain a learning environment where there is zero tolerance of bullying, harassment, victimisation and discrimination.
- Staff who champion equality, diversity and inclusion are responsible for ensuring that:
- Equality and diversity objectives are implemented.
- They encourage and support the development of policies related to the curriculum, learner recruitment, which seek to ensure the removal of prejudice and discrimination;
- the content and operation of equal opportunities policies and schemes are monitored and reviewed on an annual basis;
- monitoring information is collected, analysed through self- assessment and actioned through the QIP
- appropriate training and development is provided to stakeholders to support the appreciation and understanding of equality and diversity issues.
Monitoring
- Monitoring will be used to ensure that staff, learners and employers are treated in accordance with this policy.
- Monitoring will be undertaken in accordance with best practice recommendations, particularly from the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, and with regard to data protection principles. (https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en)
Complaints
- Lewtay Training will seek to provide a supportive environment for those who make claims of discrimination, harassment or victimisation.
- Lewtay Training will undertake a full investigation into any claims of discrimination including bullying and harassment.