YEOVIL COLLEGEEQUALITY OBJECTIVES 2015/16

Equality Duty 2010 Aims:

1 Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and any other conduct prohibited under the Act

2 Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it

3 Foster good relations betweenpeople who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it

EQUALITY OBJECTIVE / ACTIONS / Equality Duty Aim Ref / PROGRESS
Date for discussion at E and D Group
Equality of Access
Ensure access to learning opportunities for all learners / Improve application process and application form so that information about relevant protected characteristics is collected from first point of contact.
Analyse student applications by relevant protected characteristics and take appropriate actions if persons with particular protected characteristics appear to be under represented.
Work with College’s advertising agency to produce promotional materials which are relevant, appropriate and promote inclusivity. / Aim 1 Aim 2
Learner and Staff Awareness
To raise awareness of equality and diversity though effective promotion and celebration / In liaison with the Student Union and Head of Student experience, produce a cross-college calendar of Diversity events to reflect the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010.

Ensure that opportunities are taken to consider and promote equality issues through the normal curriculum. e.g. assignments, discussion, learning materials.

Include a clear equality and diversity focuswithin the delivery of a tutorial programme
Produce an biannual Equality and Diversity Newsletter / Aim2
Aim 3
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Staff Training
To ensure staff receive appropriate and up-to-date training and information related to equality and diversity. / Introduce new training in E and D, prevent and Safeguarding , which is a contractual requirement for all new staff.
Ensure that policies and procedures relating to equality are effectively disseminated to staff.
Ensure new Governors, including Student Governors, receive appropriate training in order to understand their responsibilities in respect of the college carrying out its legal duties
Produce further Equality Handbooks (e.g., Gender/Age) as part of the suite of equality publications which provide guidance for staff. / Aim 1
Aim 3
Staff and Learner Experience
To Improve the monitoring of learner and staff experience, relating to equality and diversity, and take action as appropriate /

Through student surveys, obtain feedback from learners with shared protected characteristics, about their experience at College.

Monitor staff recruitment, development and promotion by protected characteristics. Identify any trends and report to appropriate college management meetings.
Wherever possible, ensure the composition of the College Corporation, Student Union and other Student Representation Groups reflects the characteristics of the population group.
Monitor and report on complaints and compliments, by protected characteristic, wherever possible.
To develop a LGBTQ Group within the college. / .
Aim2
Aim 3
Participation, Retention and Achievement
To monitor current inequalities in curriculum areas and develop an improvement plan / To review participation, retention and achievement in curriculum areas where there is currently inequality, in respect of protected characteristics, and develop an action plan for improvement.
Support ‘at risk’ learners through targeted support via personal tutors and Learner Support Services teams.
Monitor student disciplinary action and student withdrawals by protected characteristic, where possible. / Aim 2
Progression
To promote realistic progression opportunities to all learners and staff / To report annually of progression and destination statistics of both students and staff, in relation to protected characteristics.
Develop and communicate progression and destination case studies. / Aim 2
Recruitment
To improve recruitment and retention of a diverse work-force / On a termly basis, to provide the Equality and Diversity Group with Equality and Diversity information on the all aspects of recruitment including:
- Selection and on-going employment:
- Training/staff development
- Profile of those staff who have requested flexible working due to caring responsibilities for dependants and others.
To continue to actively recruit a diverse range of people to elected officer posts, e.g. governing body and elected committees / Aim 1
Aim 2
Policies and Procedures
To ensure policies, procedures and practices meet legal requirements and are reviewed to ensure continuous improvement. / Monitor Equality Duty and Equality Objectives on an annual basis and ensure communication is appropriate and effective.
Continue to equality impact assess all new and revised policies and procedures to take account of equality protected characteristics. / Aim 1
Aim 2
Aim 3