Equality and Diversity policy The role of Governors Carol Pearce Clive Haines

Why is Diversity important? Ethical Sound business Promotes citizenship and community cohesion Legal duty

Aspects of diversity  Provision of services education/transport  Employment of staff  9 protected characteristics What do you think are the nine characteristics?

9 Protected Characteristics 1.Age 2.Disability 3.Gender re-assignment 4.Marriage and civil partnership 5.Pregnancy and maternity 6.Race 7.Religion of belief 8.Sex 9.Sexual orientation

Equality vs. Diversity  Equality means adopting policies and procedures that enable fair and objective decision-making  Diversity means valuing differences and being positive

Direct or Indirect  Direct means making decisions based directly on one of the 9 characteristics  Indirect means applying a condition or requirement to everyone that disproportionately affects one group or another

Other forms of discrimination  Positive discrimination is illegal  Positive action is legal (and is encouraged) It will mean that employers can choose to hire candidates from under-represented groups provided that they are as qualified for the role as other applicants.

Legal duties  Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation  Make reasonable adjustments  Advance equality  Foster good relations

Governors’ role  Set policies and procedures  See diversity as a “golden thread”  Set good example  Promote diversity  Monitor operation of policies How does this look in your School?

Recommended policies  Complaints policy – including procedure for investigating racist incidents  Statement of ethos and values and moral code  Race equality policy  Equality and Diversity policy (not legally required but strongly advised) or a Single Equality Scheme

Required DFE  Equality information and objectives (public sector equality duty) statement for publication  (Applies to Local Authorities on behalf of PRUs).  Review frequency: Every four years and publish information annually (see below).  Approval: Governing body free to delegate to a committee of the governing body, an individual governor or the head teacher.  Legislation: The Equality Act 2010 and The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations    Under specific duties, governing bodies, local authorities and proprietors are required to draw up equality objectives every four years and annually publish information demonstrating how they are meeting the aims of the general public sector equality duty.

Impact assessments  Screen all policies  Decide if major impact  Assess likely impact  Consider alternatives  Monitor and review  Publish impact assessments What will you differently from this training?