E&D and the LRC may 2013

E&D and the LRC may 2013 Emma Furness e.furness@gyc.ac.uk

DISCLAIMER I am not an expert. I’m just trying to learn. So I’m doing what I do best and starting a conversation. So if you’re sitting comfortably, let me tell you a story…

Sep – Dec 2012 Once upon a time there was a Librarian who was haunted by Equality and Diversity. Everywhere she went someone was talking about them and the affect they were having on the College. Some people thought they were interesting and some people thought they were scary, but the Librarian didn’t know what to think. What if Equality and Diversity came to the LRC? How would she recognise them? Should she try to fight them? Should she make them welcome? Or should she just pretend they didn’t exist? e d

BrainStorm My preconceptions? Where I saw E&D having a relationship with CLRC services. See the whole thing: http://bit.ly/100vDe9

December 2012 • My first E&D Board meeting • College Equality Policy “To implement this policy the college will: • Actively work towards equality of opportunity for all … • Actively work towards eliminating discrimination … • Ensure that all participants in the educational process are aware … • Take action to celebrate and promote diversity • Take action to encourage participation of under-represented groups • Publicise and promote procedures … • Set realistic goals with yearly targets”

Jan 2013 • My first PTTLS Lesson • Gravells, A and Simpson, S (2009) Equality and diversity in the lifelong learning sector. Exeter: Learning Matters. • What is happening in GYC Classrooms? • PTTLS teaches how E&D affects planning classes, lessons and activities • PGCE teaches the importance of E&D as a concept to students • E&D topics as PSHE tutorials – e.g. Attitudes to gender in the workplace • E&D as a topic itself – what it is; the legislation; practicalities • Work Based Learners have a full workbook and test • E&D as an affect – e.g. how uniformed services ensure they meet expected standards or how care workers ensure the equality and inclusion of people with dementia or how salons deal with customers • E&D in real life situations – e.g. how we deal with interviews or exams

What do Management want? Safeguarding/E&D Lead • The focus is to support and protect learners • and to raise awareness of diversity issues to prevent barriers • Access to appropriate resources • Act as a hub for the college and participate Vice Principal/Quality Lead • The focus is to narrow the achievement gap • and meet OFSTEDs requirements as they relate to the college • Everything comes back to the learners needs • Keep assessing and growing – continual process

What do we HAVE to do? EHRC (2012) Equality Act 2010: technical guidance on further and higher education. [online] London: EHRC. Available at: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/EqualityAct/technical_guidance_on_further_and_higher_education.pdf (Last accessed: 4th March 2013) “the Act prohibits certain forms of behaviour. In some situations, the Act also requires active steps to be taken ... More generally, further and higher education institutions need to consider taking active steps to ensure that discrimination is not occurring in the education or services that they provide.” In addition, the Public Sector Equality Duty requires further and higher education institutions to have due regard to the need to: • Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act. • Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. • Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

What to we need to do? • Age • Disability • Gender reassignment • Pregnancy & maternity • Race • Religion or belief • Sex • Sexual orientation • ‘other’ • Don’t Discriminate • Make people aware of what you’re doing and why it’s important • Encourage participation, cooperation and understanding • Celebrate and promote diversity • Make it part of LRC development

What can we do? • Do regular and varied displays – or invite other college groups to do them for you • Promote E&D stock in a prominent position • Meet and talk with your student union and/or course reps • Get information from your link governor • Make use of the VLE/website • Use SARs and QIPs to prove it! • Meet with other support staff for a coffee • Talk with your community PCSO to learn about your community • Get a breakdown of the college makeup • Get onto the E&D board or at least get the minutes • Advertise what you’re already doing AND WHY • Get feedback on what more you could be doing • Visit some classes to see what teachers are facing

Acknowledgements With thanks to THE STAFF AT GREAT YARMOUTH COLLEGE The ACER/RSC EASTERN LRM FORUM MEMBERS You may also like to look at: EHRC - A guide to business and human rights. Helpful if you’re looking at whether your staff are properly supported within the context of E&D. G. Hills – The Equality Act for educational professionals.

Epilogue So the Librarian came back from her quest a changed woman. When she arrived back at work she made Equality and Diversity their very own place in the Library and showed the staff how to take care of them. When visitors asked her about the ghosts she introduced them and shared how they might lay their own ghosts to rest. And, of course, they all lived happily ever after! e d

E&D and the LRC may 2013