Equality and Diversity What is Equality and Diversity? Equality – The College’s approach to equality is focused on everyone being treated fairly, removing barriers to success, participation and that equality is not about treating everyone the same but recognising that equality of opportunity requires the College to respond to different needs to achieve the same outcomes, free from discrimination and harassment. Diversity – is about respecting, valuing and celebrating aspects that make us unique as individuals – recognising that we contribute because of these aspects, not in spite of them. OUR MISSION To create an inclusive community with a sense of belonging that challenges and inspires through inspirational teaching, support and care. OUR VALUES To promote JLC’s ethos of an open access college where there is a place for everybody – 50 year history of helping you achieve your dreams by: Raising expectations, aspirations and promoting ambition Building on high levels of achievement, to ensure all students achieve their potential both at and beyond JLC Promoting responsible behaviour and a friendly approach in everything we do Ensuring equality of access to all opportunities and services for all members of the JLC community Maintaining fair and non-discriminatory treatment for everyone at JLC Promoting and celebrating positive attitudes towards diversity Sustaining high levels of progression into Higher Education and employment opportunities Actively promoting social inclusion, and widening participation Listening to and learning from our students and acting upon their views Our Equality and Diversity Policy for JLC can be found here. The Equality Act 2010 The Equality Act 2010 brought more than 116 separate pieces of legislation into one single Act. The Act aims to simplify, strengthen and harmonise previous legislation, providing a new discrimination law which protects individuals from unfair treatment and promotes a fair and more equal society. A summary and useful guidance on different aspects of the Act are available on the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) website: EHRC Guidance Our Specific Public Sector Equality Duties The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011 (the Regulations) came into force on 10 September 2011. The Regulations set out the specific public sector equality duties that certain public bodies must comply with. The aim of the specific duties is to help public bodies comply with the general duty to promote equality in the workplace contained in the Equality Act 2010, which has been in force since 5 April 2011. Our General Equality Duty The general single equality duty requires public bodies, in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share or have different protected characteristics. The duty explains that having due regard for advancing equality involves: Removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by people due to their protected characteristics; Taking steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups where these are different from the needs of other people; Encouraging people from protected groups to participate in public life or in other activities where their participation is disproportionately low. The Human Rights Act 1998 http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/human-rights/what-are-human-rights/the-human-rights-act/ The relevant articles for employment are article 8, which guarantees privacy for someone’s home life and correspondence and which underpins the Data Protection Act. Articles 10 and 11 guarantee freedom of expression, association and assembly. Individuals who consider they have been a victim of a human rights violation should not have to suffer further difficulties. What are Protected Characteristics The Equality Act 2010 identifies nine protected characteristics, which cannot be used as a reason to treat people unfairly. Every person has one or more of the protected characteristics, so the act protects everyone against unfair treatment. The protected characteristics are: age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation. The Equality Act sets out the different ways in which it is unlawful to treat someone, such as direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, victimisation and failing to make a reasonable adjustment for a disabled person. The act prohibits unfair treatment in the workplace, when providing goods, facilities and services, when exercising public functions, in the disposal and management of premises, in education and by associations (such as private clubs). A more in-depth definition of these protective characteristics can be viewed on the Office of Public Sector Information website and on the Home Office website: Office of Public Sector Information Home Office: Equalities Act Some Useful Information MATE – A video on integrating students into the college environment The Universal Declaration of Human Rights A History of LGBT Rights at the UN 20 Years of Human Rights – The Road Ahead Helpful Links http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/pdfs/ukpga_20100015_en.pdf http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/new-equality-act-guidance/equality-act-guidance-downloads/ http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/human-rights/what-are-human-rights/the-human-rights-act/ http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/part/2/chapter/1 https://www.gov.uk/equality-act-2010-guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-disability-confident-campaign External Organisations ACAS Age Positive (DWP) Age UK Carers UK Changing Faces Disability Discrimination Information Friends, Families and Travellers Gender Trust HEAR Just Fight On – Against workplace bullying and abuse Mankind – Support of Men Victims of DV Press for Change Race on the Agenda (ROTA) Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB) Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) – Now called: Action on Hearing Loss Stonewall – The LGBT Charity John Leggott College West Common Lane, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN17 1DS Tel: +44(0)1724 282998 • Email: info@leggott.ac.uk