EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY (COLLEGE)

Transcription

1 EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY (COLLEGE) Effective Date: 1 st September 2012 Last Reviewed: May 2013 Reviewed By: Soomitra Kawal Next Review Date: May 2014 Version: 1

2 Equality and Diversity Policy 1. Scope This policy applies to all aspects of the Federation s programmes and services to all students/learners, staff, parents, carers and visitors. 2. Context The Barnfield Federation is committed to achieving equality of opportunity and diversity both as a large employer and as a provider of education and training services to the communities of Luton and beyond. We have formulated this policy to acknowledge our responsibilities to actively promote equality and combat discrimination. We incorporate equality and diversity into everything we do. Equality and Diversity flows through our Core Values and is an integral part of our business. Barnfield is fortunate to serve a diverse community of students/learners, situated in an area of great racial, religious and national diversity. Our students/learners and staff reflect the population at large including people of different race and ethnicity, many ages, both sexes, different sexual orientations and with a variety of disabilities. The Federation will treat all employees and students/learners with respect and dignity and provide a working, educational and training environment free from unlawful discrimination (direct or indirect), harassment or victimisation. 3. Legislation This policy underpins our duty to promote equality and diversity under equality legislation and other directives. Including: The Equality Act 2010 Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 Human Rights Act 1998 Equal Pay Act (including 1983 amendments) Part-time workers Regulations 2006 Fixed-term Employers Regulations Aims 4.1 This policy demonstrates our wholehearted commitment to continued action in tackling inequality on grounds of: Age

3 Disability Gender Race Nationality or ethnic origin Married or in a civil partnership Pregnancy or maternity Learning difficulty Religion or belief Sexual orientation Gender reassignment Trade union membership or activity We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination and if discrimination is proved, disciplinary action will be taken against perpetrators. All students/learners and staff, whether part-time, full-time or temporary, will be treated fairly and with respect. We will provide a range of education and training programmes which encourage everyone to participate in learning. Through our teaching, administration and support services, and our work in the community, we will promote equality of opportunity and access to success. Selection for employment, promotion, training or any other benefit will be on the basis of aptitude and ability. All employees will be helped and encouraged to develop their full potential and the talents and resources of the workforce will be utilised and to maximise the efficiency of the organisation. 4.2 We will: Provide a range of programmes that enable us to meet each individual student s needs, goals and aspirations Make certain our procedures for recruiting and selecting staff will be sensitive to, and promote, equality of opportunity Ensure that the ethos and environment of the Federation enables all students/learners, staff, parents and carers and visitors to feel welcome, supported and valued, with access for all to our facilities and services Develop student tutorial programmes that will enable students/learners to understand our policy, its implications, and how they can contribute to achieving greater equality of opportunity Encourage students/learners, staff and parents and carers to recognise, understand and value diversity

4 Provide training for all staff and Board Directors to enable them to understand our policy, participate in its implementation and promote equality of opportunity Promote equality and diversity to suppliers, partners and employers who provide work experience and work placement for students/learners Monitor the effectiveness of the Federation s Equality and Diversity policy and other related policies Consider equal opportunities issues in all aspects of our business and ensure that all policies and procedures are developed to positively support and develop equality of opportunity both within the Federation and in the community we serve 5. Policy Detail To identify and eliminate discriminatory practices To develop and monitor the awareness and understanding of issues concerned with equality of opportunity To recognise and challenge the language and attitudes of others To support those who appropriately challenge oppression To provide information and resources on equality and diversity and good practice To ensure that all marketing activities meet Equality and Diversity best practice To ensure that all curriculum resources meet Equality and Diversity best practice To develop links with other education establishments to share good practice and facilitate student exchanges To ensure anti-discriminatory practice in all contract specifications and other documentation with external bodies, speakers, consultants, employers, employees, students/learners, subsidiaries and the wider community To create an environment in which individual differences, achievements and the contributions of all our students/learners and staff are recognised and valued That every student and member of staff is entitled to learning and working environment that promotes dignity and respect to all That no form of intimidation, bullying or harassment will be tolerated That learning, training, development and progression opportunities are available to all students/learners and staff That equality and diversity in the workplace is good management practice and makes sound business sense To review all our policies and employment practices and procedures to ensure fairness

5 That breaches of our equality policy will be regarded as misconduct and could lead to disciplinary proceedings That this policy is fully supported by the Senior Leadership Teams across the Federation and has been agreed with trade unions/ employee representatives That this policy will be monitored and reviewed annually 6. Rights Under the Federation s Equality and Diversity Policy students/learners have the right to: Learn and achieve Be treated fairly in all aspects of their learning within the Federation Be treated with respect by all other members of the Federation s community Be valued for their contribution to the life of the Barnfield Federation in an environment which: encourages each and every person to contribute fully, on an equal basis is free from discrimination, harassment and bullying is supportive of equal opportunities takes sensitive and supportive action if discrimination, harassment and/or bullying is suspected Under the Federation s Equality and Diversity Policy staff have the right to: Be treated fairly in all aspects of their employment at the Federation Be treated with respect by all other members of the Federation community Be valued for their contribution to the Federation in an environment which: encourages each and every person to contribute fully, on an equal basis is free from discrimination, harassment and bullying is supportive of equality and diversity takes sensitive and supportive action if discrimination, harassment and/or bullying is suspected. 7. Student and Staff Responsibilities Students/learners and staff are required to treat all members of Federation s community with consideration and respect, showing fairness and honesty. They must not bully or harass.

6 This means they must not: Use behaviour which is unwanted, inappropriate, causes distress or is unacceptable to others Threaten to undermine the safety of themselves or of others Persecute others by intimidation, unfair, sarcastic or malicious behaviour Illegally or unfairly discriminate against others Use language which is offensive or disrespectful of others In all aspects of their behaviour, students/learners and staff must: Respect and value the contribution of all members of the Federation s community Ensure the effective implementation of the Equality and Diversity Policy Deal with unfair and/or unlawful discriminatory incidents Promote equality of opportunity and diversity opposing unlawful discrimination against any member of the Federation community Take up training and learning opportunities to keep up to date with law on discrimination Make recommendations to the Equality, Diversity and Safeguarding Committee for agenda items that require consideration. Students/learners must report to a member of staff any incident which infringes either their own or other people s rights. If students/learners feel that they are treated unfairly or without respect, they must be encouraged to talk to somebody they trust to help them. They must let someone in authority know about the situation. In the first instance this is most likely to be the student s personal tutor or head of house/house leader. If a member of staff feels they are being treated unfairly or without respect, they are encouraged to discuss the matter with their line manager, Human Resources team, the Equality and Diversity Manager, or a confidential adviser as appropriate. Reference should be made to the staff policies and procedures relating to grievance and harassment and bullying. 8. Monitoring the Policy We will monitor our policy and procedures through formal and regular reviews of our Equality Scheme Action Plan. This will specifically include the following areas or monitoring and annual reporting in respect age, gender, ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation, religion or belief: The numbers of staff employed (permanent, temporary and fixed term appointments) by grade and type of post The numbers of applicants for employment and promotion The numbers of staff receiving training The numbers of staff who are subject of disciplinary procedures, bullying and harassment

7 The numbers of staff leaving the employment of the Federation The numbers of complaints which are related to equal opportunities policy Staff feedback via a variety of established channels/mechanisms Student success rates for each course The numbers of student withdrawals from each course (post-16 only) The numbers of student incidents involving harassment and/or bullying The numbers of students/learners excluded Students/learners assessment including the results of different assessment methods (eg. tests, examinations, course projects and continuous assessment) Tutorial and personal and professional development process to see if equal opportunities issues are raised Student s feedback through the student representative/council and student surveys. 9. Responsibility for Implementation The Federation s Senior Management/Leadership Teams and the Equality and Diversity Group (EDG) are responsible for implementing the Federation s policy statement and targets (including the results of the monitoring and action plan specified in this policy) which are monitored, revised and published annually. The published written policy statement will include: Details of the consultation, assessment and monitoring that was carried out The summary of the comments and responses received following consultation A summary of the main findings of assessments or monitoring The EDG will ensure that all areas of the Federation: Implement, monitor and report back on this policy Respond to and act upon any breach of the Equality and Diversity Policy statements and the policy as a whole Provide sufficient resources to uphold the policy The Barnfield Federation Director General is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of this policy are implemented and that the Board of the Corporation, Barnfield Academy Trust Board of Directors, are kept informed of the operation and monitoring of the Equality and Diversity Policy.

8 10. Breaches of the Policy The Federation will take seriously any alleged breaches of the policy and where proven breaches may lead to formal disciplinary action, including dismissal for staff and expulsion for students/learners. 11. Equality, Diversity Group The Strategy Group shall meet once a term Composition Interim Vice Principal Faculty Director, Faculty of Business Enterprise and Retail (who will chair the meeting) Area Manager, Path Finder Area Manager, Functional Skills Director of Students Services Deputy Head of Quality Improvement Human Resources Manager, Recruitment and Equality This composition is subject to review. The Barnfield Federation is committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all. 12. Roles and Responsibilities 12.1 The Board of Directors are responsible for ensuring that the Academy complies with legislation, and that this plan and any related procedures and action plans are implemented The Principal is responsible for implementing the policy, for ensuring that all staff are aware of their responsibilities, for providing them with appropriate training and support, and for taking appropriate action Day to day responsibility for co-ordinating and implementing this policy is with the Academy Principal All staff/others are expected to adhere to this policy as required by the Barnfield Code of Conduct. 13. Policy Review This policy will be reviewed annually. 14. Dissemination 14.1 All policies that need to be conveyed to students/learners, staff and families will be available on the Federation website Staff will be informed about policies during induction and through on-going in-service training.