Stakeholder Involvement

The College Secretary who is also Clerk to the Governors and a member of the Executive is responsible for equality and diversity matters within the College and is the designated lead for facilitating the publishing of the Disability Equality Scheme. The College Secretary has received training by attending the Network Training/LSC course “Writing your Disability Equality Scheme: A Practical Course for Completing the Specific Duties of the Disability Discrimination Act” The College Secretary has also had input to the University of Gloucestershire DES Action Plan.

A College Steering Group was set up to oversee the process. Members came from all the main areas of the College-Communication, Teaching and Learning (both FE and HE), Learning Support, Human Resource, Property Department and students

Learning Support led a focus group of disabled students from which action points were fed back to the Steering Group.

Reference has also been made to the recently published Learning and Skills national strategy “Learning for Living and Work: Improving Education and Training Opportunities for People with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities”

Governors will be responsible for ensuring that

• The Colleges strategic plan includes a commitment to disability equality.
• Equalities training features as part of the Colleges strategic plan
• They are aware of the Corporations statutory responsibilities in relation to disability legislation as an employer.
• They receive and respond to disability monitoring information
• The Colleges Disability Statement includes reference to employment matters

The Management Team are responsible for ensuring that

• They take the lead in challenging discriminatory behaviour and creating a positive inclusive ethos.
• They are aware of their statutory responsibilities in relation to disability legislation.
• All aspects of College policy and activity are sensitive to disability issues.
• Disability monitoring information is collected and analysed
• The procedures for the recruitment and promotion of staff enshrine best practice in equal opportunities.
• Targets re set on the recruitment of staff and students and their success based on analysis of disability monitoring information.
• The Colleges publicity materials present appropriate positive messages about disabled and non disabled people.
• Appropriate training and development is provided.

Staff are responsible for ensuring that

• They are aware of the Colleges statutory duties in relation to disability legislation.
• Their schemes of work, lesson content and teaching resources demonstrate sensitivity to issues of diversity
• They challenge prejudiced and discriminatory behaviour, whether witting or unwitting, by students, work placement providers, outside contractors or other members of staff whenever practicable.
• They respond positively to the needs of disabled staff and students