RESPONSIBILITY FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

It is unlawful to discriminate on the ground of race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender or martial status.  There are also laws to end the discrimination faced by many people who have a disability.

Under legislation and this scheme, every member of the College, staff and learners, has a responsibility to:

• Listen to what others say and respect their point of view.
• Speak out or report if they witness or are aware of bullying, vindictiveness, verbal or physical aggression.  Reporting and prevention is everyone’s responsibility.
• Constantly question our own prejudices and assumptions
• Be familiar with their responsibilities that legislation places upon them and ensure that they are sensitive to issues of cultural diversity in their work.
• Ensure that their behaviour towards other does not cause personal distress or impede personal development, mutual respect and learning.

Named responsibilities

• The Corporation is responsible for setting the policy and scheme and monitoring its implementation
• The Principal has overall responsibility for the operation of this scheme
• The Management Team are responsible for ensuring that the College works to widen participation in education and meet the learning needs of learners.

The Equality and Diversity Committee is made up of Senior and Curriculum Managers.  The Director of Support for Students leads the group. 

• The duties and responsibilities of the Committee include:
• Leading the promotion of Equality and Diversity in College
• Monitoring progress in Equality & Diversity Action Plans
• Monitoring organizational compliance with statutory requirements
• Receiving updates on new legislation, disseminating information and ensuring appropriate actions are taken to address legal requirements
• Reviewing and analyzing statistical trends of students and staff in order to identify and implement positive action to promote equality and diversity
• Reviewing the results of surveys with reference to Equality & Diversity issues and initiating action where appropriate
• Reviewing Policies as appropriate
• Agreeing and monitoring policy impact assessment procedures
• Receiving reports on harassment or other cases raised and recommending action where appropriate
• Promoting understanding of the College’s Equality and Diversity policies in all areas  of work
• Offering guidance and clarification on the policy’s implementation to employees and students where required
• Receiving reports from sub committees and user groups
• Monitoring complaints and breaches of the policy and making recommendations for actions required to address issues arising
• Identifying, developing and disseminating best practice
• Conducting audits as necessary
• Producing an annual action plan
• Reporting bi annually to the Corporation

All managers are responsible for ensuring that partner organizations, contractors, customers, employers providing work placements are engaged in positive action for equal opportunities.

Equality and Diversity Working Group is composed of staff and students who are representative of the college community. 

• The duties and responsibilities of the Working Group include:
• Sharing areas of good practice and disseminating to all areas of the college via course and staff teams
• Active involvement in the impact assessment process
• Planning and organising promotional activities
• Identifying training needs
• Contributing to action planning and review

Course Leaders and their teams, and Business Support Managers and their teams are responsible for:

• Identifying actions to promote equality and diversity in all areas of activity
• Implementing action to achieve equality
• Identifying inequality, reporting the Equality and Diversity Committee and assisting in taking action to redress