COUNTY DUBLIN VEC
EQUALITY MAINSTREAMING PROJECT
Project Summary
The overall aim of the County Dublin VEC equality mainstreaming project was to promote a culture of reflective practice in relation to equality within Adult and Further Education. Key objectives included:
1The development of a shared understanding of equality within the context of adult and further education including definitions in relation to key terms and concepts
2The development of an equality framework that could support strategic planning within the context of adult and further education
3The upskilling of staff within adult and further education in understanding of equality issues.
Through a planning and negotiation process four key units were established in order to deliver the project, have maximum participation, and to realise its desired outcomes:
1.An EqualitySupportGroup was formed to engage Consultants, to ensure that the project aims were being carried out and to fulfil the agreement reached between the Consultants and County Dublin VEC
2.Two Consultants were engaged by the Equality Support Group to work as facilitators, advisers and ‘critical friends’ to the process, to ensure its validity and resultant constructive and useful outcomes for County Dublin VEC’s Adult and Further Education
3.An Equality Steering Group was formed and included a member of the County Dublin VEC Senior Management Team. Its role was to oversee the project, guide and inform the process, communicate with the Consultants and evaluate work presented by the Consultants following each consultation session.
4.A Consultation Group consisting of key staff in planning, policy and decision-making roles. The personnel involved included senior management, County Co-ordinators, Adult Education Officers, Youthreach Co-ordinators, Senior Traveller Training Centre Directors, Adult Literacy Organisers and programme co-ordinators across the adult and further education sector. This group’s role was to inform the process through active contribution at points of collaboration during the process.
Three Consultation Sessions were arranged for November 2009, December 2009 and February 2010. Each meeting lasted from 9.30am to 1.00pm and had a specific aim which acted as a building block for the following meeting. 43 key staff members across adult and further education took part in this consultation process, 20 attending all three consultation sessions, 12 attending two sessions and 11 participating in one session.
The purpose of the Consultation Sessions was to consider practice in relation to equality, to develop a shared understanding of equality and to explore a culture of equality within Adult and Further Education in County Dublin VEC. Grounded in principles of consultation, participation, inclusion and empowerment, meetings were conducted in an interactive manner in order to inform the work towards the definition of the key terms and concepts and the development of an Equality Framework.
Consultation Session One – November 6th 2009
WHAT IS EQUALITY?
Aims:
1To introduce the Consultation Group to the County Dublin VEC Equality Mainstreaming Project.
2To explore a shared understanding of equality.
3To draft an initial equality statement for Adult and Further Education within County Dublin VEC.
Consultation Session Two – December 11th 2009
APPLYING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF EQUALITY TO ADULT AND FURTHER EDUCATION.
Aims:
1To introduce the draft statement of equality for County Dublin VEC Adult and Further Education.
2To explore the application of the statement within the context of Adult and Further Education across access, participation, progression and transfer.
3To reach some consensus in relation to how this can be applied to assist with strategic planning.
Consultation Session Three – February 12th 2010
CREATING A CULTURE OF EQUALITY.
Aims:
4To review the work to date.
5To reach some consensus in relation to the draft statement and principles.
6To look to future means of integrating equality into County Dublin VEC and the development of an Equality Development Group.
The Equality Mainstreaming Project was guided by the Equality Steering Group. The outcomes from each Consultation Session were consistently developed through regular interaction between the Consultants and the Equality Steering Group. A re-presentation of each Consultation Session was documented by the Consultants and communicated to members of the Equality Steering Group. Subsequent feedback and negotiation informed the next stage of the process and ensured that the project maintained its focus and desired outcomes.
Concrete outcomes of the project include:
1A set of principles underpinning an understanding of equality
2A draft equality statement
3Organisational Equality Proofing Points – the 7 P’s
4A draft Equality Framework
5The establishment of an Equality Development Group whose remit will include research, policy development and support and training.
The process and outcomes from this Equality Mainstreaming Project hold the potential to effect radical change within County Dublin VEC. When structures begin to apply the Equality Framework, a dynamic move towards an equality consciousness will have begun to inform policy and promote equality outcomes in education provision.
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