Equal-Policy

Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

REVIEW SHEET

Introduction

Educla Ld recognises that it is essential to provide equal opportunities to all persons without discrimination. This policy sets out the organisation’s position on equal opportunity in all aspects of:

• Staffing & Employment, including recruitment and promotion.
• Learners
• Parents, Carers and families of our Learners
• Visiting Professionals

We have taken an organisable approach  to ensure that all parties act fairly and prevent discrimination or prejudice in any area of our processes, we do this by demonstrating the following

• We recognise people may have different needs and understand that treating people equally does not mean treating them all in the same way
• We make sure everyone feels safe and secure
• We treat everyone with fairness and respect at all times
• We offer additional support to those that need it and make reasonable adjustments so that they can achieve their version of success
• We offer strong learning environment for all
• We do not tolerate any form of bullying, racism or abuse of any kind
• Our decision making it fed into by regular discussions with staff, management, stakeholders, other professionals, legislation and codes of practice

Overview

This policy sets out the procedures to provide equal opportunities and diversity to all persons without discrimination. This policy sets out the organisation’s position on equal opportunity to all in line with the Equality Act 2010 Taking into consideration the protected characteristics of:

• Age
• Sex
• Disability
• Gender
• Race
• Sexual Orientation
• Religion and Belief
• Gender Reassignment
• Pregnancy and Maternity and Paternity

We also factor within this, to cover the vulnerability and the socio-economic issues associated with our young people.

Links to other policies

• Code of Conduct
• Behaviour Policy
• Curriculum Policy
• Safeguarding and Child Protections Policies

Staffing and Employment

It is the policy of Educla Ltd to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, part-time or fixed term contract status, sexual orientation or religion, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements that cannot be shown to be justifiable. The organisation is committed not only to its legal obligations but also to the positive promotion of equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

 The organisation recognises that adhering to the Equal Opportunities Policy, combined with relevant employment policies and practices, maximises the effective use of individuals in both the organisation’s and employees´ best interests. Educla ltd  recognises the great benefits in having a diverse workforce with different backgrounds, solely employed on ability.

 The application of recruitment, training, and promotion policies to all individuals will be on the basis of job requirements and the individual’s ability and merits.

All employees of the organisation will be made aware of the provisions of this policy.

(a) Advertisements for posts will give sufficiently clear and accurate information to enable potential applicants to assess their own suitability for the post in line with Safer Recruitment linked to KCSIE part 3 as identified under the Recruitment and Selection Process AND Advert sections.  Information about vacant posts will be provided in such a manner that does not restrict its audience in terms of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, part-time or fixed term contract status, sexual orientation or religion.
(b) Recruitment literature will not imply a preference for one group of applicants unless there is a genuine occupational qualification which limits the post to this particular group, in which case this must be clearly stated.
(c) All vacancies will be circulated internally.
(d) All descriptions and specifications for posts will include only requirements that are necessary and justifiable for the effective performance of the job.
(e) All selection will be thorough, conducted against defined criteria and will deal only with the applicant’s suitability for the job. Where it is necessary to ask questions relating to personal circumstances, these will be related purely to job requirements and asked to all candidates.

(f) Educla Ltd will not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, marital status, disability, age, part-time or fixed term contract status ,pregnancy, sexual orientation or religion in the allocation of duties between employees employed at any level with comparable job descriptions.
(g) Educla Ltd will put in place any reasonable measures and/or adjustments within the workplace for those employees who become disabled during employment or for disabled appointees.
(h) All employees will be considered solely on their merits for career development and promotion with equal opportunities for all.

Learners

Attainment and Development

Educla ltd promotes high expectations of our learners and consistently challenge them to be the best they can be. Many of our young people come from disadvantaged backgrounds, which statistically has shown lower attainment grades in education. Our aim is to support our students to access their own personalised experiences by delivering lessons that challenge our learners to want to have aspirations for their future. Our development of our students is down to how we delivery our learning which includes:

• Encouraging our learners to be independent and manage their learning and behaviour
• Ensures all learners can access all parts of the curriculum, at their pace, to prepare them for their future.
• Use materials that reflect our society and promote equality
• Promote experiences that give our young people the opportunity to appreciate their own culture and that of others
• Involve all parties (family, carers) to be involved in their children’s learning
• Encourage open discussion and questioning in the classroom, in an appropriate manner

Student Welfare and Pastoral Care

• Ensure our policies and procedures are consistently reviewed and any new guidance is implemented quickly
• Encourage supporting and respectful behaviour from all those that are part of the Educla Ltd community
• Challenge prejudice and stereotype by enabling better awareness
• Invite external support to work with our young people and compliment our existing program, for example EAL students or pregnant students
• Empower staff and students to be able to confidently raise any concerns
• Ensure that facilities are made available discreetly for those that need it, such as personal care

Parents, Carers and families and the Wider Community

We consistently refer to ‘our community’ as this is important to us, that all parties involved in Educla Ltd feel listened too and are able to confidently communicate with each other. For that we offer an ‘open door’ policy where parents, carers and those linked with our students can request to visit us and discuss our involvement. We do this by:

• Opportunities for use of all forms of communication, including those whom English is an additional language for.
• Invite parents and carers in for events within the Educla ltd community
• Progress reports on a weekly and termly basis
• Work experience and opportunities within our wider community
• Work alongside other services for the young people, examples being the charity People First
• Accessibility to our centres

Visiting Professionals

We encourage involvement with our young people from the various outside agencies. Offering to facilitate meetings between these agencies to support our young people, these include:

• Police
• Fire Services
• Social Services
• Youth Offending Service
• Drug and Alcohol support
• Early Help
• Inspira