Introduction As a public sector body Banff and Buchan College has a general duty to pay due regard to the need to:

Transcription

1 s Introduction As a public sector body Banff and Buchan College has a general duty to pay due regard to the need to: Eliminate discrimination, victimisation, harassment or other unlawful conduct that is prohibited under the Act 2010; Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a characteristic and those who do not; and Foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not. These requirements apply across the protected characteristics of age, disability, gender re-assignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation. Only the requirement to eliminate discrimination, victimisation, harassment or other unlawful conduct applies to the protected characteristic of marriage and civil partnership. The College also has specific duties and these cover: outcomes Mainstreaming equality Impact assessment Employment information Publication of gender pay gap information Publication of statement on equal pay Procurement Publication of information. The following outcomes have been formulated to assist the College in complying with its general duty across all protected characteristics. It is anticipated that both Banff and Buchan College and Aberdeen College will formally merge in and become one regional college for Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City. Accordingly, the following equality outcomes will therefore be subject to on-going review as work continues, as part of merger work-stream activity, to develop a common set of equality outcomes for the new regional college.

2 Requirement for production and monitoring of appropriate statistical information, taking account of sensitive protected characteristics action to address student-related issues. All studentrelated policies, procedures and practice integrate equality issues effectively as part of normal mainstreamed processes Specific Protected Age, Disability, Sex, Gender reassignment, Pregnancy and maternity, Race, Religion or belief, Sexual orientation Plan rolling programme of review for all student-related policies and procedures to ensure equality issues are addressed and updated regularly as required. Ensure effective impact assessment of proposals for change, taking equality issues for students across all protected characteristics into account. APs SMT On-going all policies to be reviewed in liaison with Aberdeen College, as part of the merger process On-going as proposals are made action to address HR issues. All HR policies, procedures and practice integrate equality issues effectively Rolling programme of review for all HRrelated policies and procedures to ensure equality issues are addressed and updated regularly as required. Ensure effective impact assessment of proposals for change, taking equality issues for all protected characteristics into account. SMT On-going all policies will be reviewed in liaison with Aberdeen College, as part of the merger process On-going as proposals are made

3 as part of normal mainstreamed processes. Ensure wide distribution of information on job opportunities to provide the broadest possible publicity to all groups within the population. Analyse and take action on potential barriers for women in senior posts., in liaison with Aberdeen College, specifically considering new College management structure Introduce updated induction pack for new members of staff. The pack should emphasise availability of help and support on equality issues in relation to all protected characteristics, plus provide information in relation to policies such as maternity/paternity, family friendly, equal opportunities etc. Contact details plus any available leaflets from a range of organisations e.g. GREC, LEAD, GIRES etc. will also be provided.

4 Requirement for production and monitoring of appropriate statistical information, taking account of sensitive protected characteristics student-related issues. Measurable Evidence is obtained to ensure that properly informed action is taken to address any issues for all protected characteristics Age, Disability, Sex, Gender reassignment, Pregnancy and maternity, Race, Religion or belief, Sexual orientation Revise student application, enrolment forms and equalities monitoring statement to include all protected characteristics. This will include guidance on what the information will be used for and an assurance of confidentiality of personal sensitive data. Revise self-evaluation PI analysis and self-evaluation reporting for curriculum and support teams to include all protected characteristics. Conduct bespoke review of PI data for race and disability to establish reasons for decreasing student success. Registrar LTC QA Group Chair LTC QA Group Chair and in conjunction with Aberdeen College premerger October 2013 Gather and analyse data across all protected characteristics for student applications, enrolments, retention and success. LTC QA Group Chair August 2014

5 HR issues. Measurable evidence is obtained to ensure that properly informed action is taken to address any issues for all protected characteristics. Revise Equal Opportunities monitoring statement provided with application forms to include all protected characteristics. This will include guidance on what the information will be used for and an assurance of confidentiality of personal sensitive data. Revise Equal Opportunities monitoring statement issued to all new starts to include all protected characteristics. This will include guidance on what the information will be used for and an assurance of confidentiality of personal sensitive data. July 2013 in liaison with Aberdeen College premerger July 2013 but in liaison with Aberdeen College pre-merger Obtain data update for all existing staff to include request for information relating to protected characteristics. This will include guidance on what the information will be used for and an assurance of confidentiality of personal sensitive data. Gather and analyse protected characteristic data for staff applications and uptake of training and development opportunities. On-going, with target for first report to be

6 Process information obtained through staff survey and pay audit, publish gender pay gap information, identify areas of potential disadvantage, and develop policies and actions necessary to promote equal pay and equal opportunities, ensuring effective involvement and consultation. On-going, with specific targets to be arranged

7 Requirement to foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. This includes the need to tackle prejudice and promote understanding student-related matters. College has a welldeveloped focus on awareness and inclusiveness, taking relevant action to foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. College promotes the provision of a safe and supportive environment for all groups of students, with clear access to appropriate help and support when needed. Age, Disability, Sex, Gender reassignment, Pregnancy and maternity, Race, Religion or belief, Sexual orientation Work with Aberdeen College to form core set of equality outcomes for new regional college. Track/publish data concerning student complaints, this information must protect individual privacy but will highlight potential lessons learned and proposals for improvement to be included in future equality outcomes. Provide appropriate Student Association Executive training and awareness sessions including updated on-line equalities training. Consult regularly with Student Association Executive Committee and address concerns. Consult with Aberdeenshire Council on improving transition data exchange for schools pupils thinking of attending College. AP (C+Q) + AP (SSS) SEO and PDT AP (C+Q) AP (C+Q) September 2013 On-going August 2013 and in collaboration with Aberdeen College premerger

8 HR issues. College has a welldeveloped focus on awareness and inclusiveness, taking relevant action to foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. College promotes the provision of a safe and supportive environment for all groups of employees, with clear access to appropriate help and support when needed. Track/publish data concerning grievances and disciplinary action including dismissals, also use of policies such as Dignity at Work. This information must protect individual privacy but will highlight potential lessons learned and proposals for improvement to be included in future equality outcomes. Provide appropriate staff training and awareness sessions. Ensure that on-line equalities training is up-to-date and all new staff undertake this training. Consult regularly with TU representatives, external stakeholders and interest group organisations, and address concerns. and Professional Development Tutor and other SMT members as needed On-going, with target for first report to be On-going with first awareness sessions already held. Next round of sessions to be arranged for Staff Development days in June 2013 and Feb 2014 Part of regular consultation meetings and ad hoc as required Part of regular consultation meetings and ad hoc as required

9 Establish networks of support for staff and students to include distribution of relevant information leaflets and networking opportunities with organisations representing groups with protected characteristics e.g. ECU, Stonewall, NUS, etc. Part of regular consultation meetings and ad hoc as required Requirement to ensure equal pay for like work, work rated as equivalent or work of equal value HR issues. action to ensure equal pay for work of equal value. Sex, Disability and Race Review market rates for Life Model posts and take appropriate action to align pay rates of College Life Model post Review salary conservation policy in consultation with TU representatives Review job evaluation scheme in liaison with Aberdeen College, prior to merger July 2013 July 2013