Equality Outcomes Sharing Good Practice

Daniel Aldridge Policy Manager Stonewall Scotland

Alison Tobia Corporate Planning Manager Neil MacGowan Head of Corporate Affairs Scottish Qualifications Authority

Welcome Agenda –Presentations –Discussion –Workshops –Plenary feedback –Aim for close Housekeeping

SQA draft Equality Outcomes - Getting started Duties & guidance Equality structure, schemes, action plans SQA 2020 Corporate Plan Ongoing engagement Internal mgmt information External statistics and other evidence

SQA draft Equality Outcomes - Getting started Duties & guidance Equality structure, schemes, action plans SQA 2020 Corporate Plan Ongoing engagement Internal mgmt information External statistics and other evidence Proposal to ESG and Exec Team Areas of focus: Expenditure Functions Process: Timetable Responsibilities Resources

Outcomes development process - led by Directorate equality groups Evidence Ongoing engagement Mgmt information External evidence Issues What are the most significant equality issues for SQA in relation to this area of focus? Draft outcomes Evidence statement Involvement approach Contributory actions Measures of success Involvement and revision Employees Appointees Centres Equality contacts Committees Approval

Draft Equality Outcomes are appropriate for SQA - responses

Stonewall Good Practice Programme LGBT Equality at SQA Neil MacGowan Head of Operations 22 February 2013

Our journey…...so far

Strategic Direction -One of Scotlands leading public sector organisations -Staff engagement

Support from the Top! I appreciate, respect and fully support the contribution our LGBT colleagues bring to SQA. I know prejudice and intolerance are endured by LGBT people across many areas of our society and I want to stress that these attitudes have no place in SQA where talent and achievement is paramount and sexual orientation irrelevant. We will work with Stonewall to make SQA a fair, inclusive and welcoming place to work Dr Janet Brown Chief Executive August 2012

LGBT Staff – Actions so far Equality and Diversity Weeks – supported by Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions Programme Whats it got to do with you? Campaign LGBT Staff survey

Staff Survey Results SQAWEI Average The workplace culture in my organisation is inclusive of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people 86%80% My line manager supports me as an LGB member of staff64%66% Senior management are supportive of LGB staff64%66% My straight/heterosexual colleagues are well-informed on LGB issues29%43% I would feel confident reporting anti-gay bullying in my workplace100%80% I would feel comfortable declaring my sexual orientation to my employer on a monitoring form 86%81% I feel able to be myself in the workplace93%81% There are visible and open LGB role models in my organisation57%54% Open with all colleagues50%64% Open with all managers/senior colleagues54%61% Open with clients/service users8%37%

Equality Outcomes Survey Results SQA Draft Equality Outcomes - Feedback and Equality Questionnaire (Staff) Please rate how far you agree that SQA is supportive of colleagues who are lesbian, gay or bisexual. Answer Options Response Percent Response Count Strongly agree 22.7%25 Agree 32.7%36 Disagree 0.9%1 Strongly disagree 0.0%0 I dont know enough to comment 43.6%48 answered question110 skipped question0

Change Action Plan LGBT Staff Forum established and consideration of best practice for strong LGBT voice in the workplace. Direction to main stream LGBT issues not present in isolation Plan for 2013 Stonewall WEI – Is SQA ready?

Business Benefits Inclusive organisational culture Motivated and confident staff Meeting strategic goals Positive external image of SQA

Our journey….continues We are keen to learn from you and share our experiences so far

Catherine Somerville Policy Officer Stonewall Scotland

The Good Practice Programme Through the Good Practice Programme we offer: Support in mainstreaming LGB and T equality (including 2013 and 2015 mainstreaming reports and procurement support) Providing research and evidence to undertake meaningful Equality Impact Assessments Support in developing effective service user networks

Access to dedicated on-line learning resource Multi-agency training and information seminars support in setting Equality Outcomes as well as delivering and reporting on progress

Key improvement areas Reducing homophobic bullying in education Reducing instances of homophobic hate crime Reducing health inequalities experienced by LGB&T people Improving workplace equality

NHS 24: Good Practice example peoples mental health will improve through access to new services and by adding to our existing services LGB&T peoples mental health improves through access to safe, confidential advise and information

SituationActivitiesOutputsEquality Outcomes General Duty 10 Research shows that lesbian and bisexual women have higher levels of self harm compared to the general population and that there is a higher risk of gay men harming themselves than the general population a) Involve Stonewall and other LGB&T led voluntary organisations to identify needs/barriers b) Stonewall to support impact assessments of NHS 24s services, functions and staff policies c) NHS 24s outreach work to include attending at LGB&T focused events a) Improved understanding by operational leads of the impact that a persons sexual orientation can have on a their mental health is achieved b) Recommendations by Stonewall lead to improvements in NHS 24s processes to support improved metal health for LGB&T people c) Improved awareness by LGB&T people of the range of services provided by NHS 24 LGB&T peoples mental health improves through access to safe, confidential advise and information Advance equality of opportunity Foster good relations

Further research shows that 58% of trans people or people with a trans history who responded to the Trans Mental Health Study 2012 felt that they had been so distressed at some point that they needed to seek help or support urgently and 53% of participants had self harmed at some point 84% of participants had thought about ending their lives at some point d) NHS 24s services to promote awareness of issues which can affect LGB&T peoples mental health by linking activities to key dates on the calendar f) Stonewall to support NHS 24 secure LGB&T representation on the NHS 24 Public Partnership Forum g) NHS 24 to engage with other LGB&T led voluntary organisations to promote metal health h) NHS 24 will display the Stonewall Good Practice logo on NHS 24 Internet sites d) Improved awareness by NHS 24 staff of sexual orientation identity is achieved leading to improved patient safety and person- centred safe and effective services f) A person who is able to represent the views of LGB&T people sits as a member of the Public Partnership Forum Steering Group g) Enhanced awareness of the range of services provided by NHS 24 is achieved h) NHS 24s commitment to sexual orientation equality is promoted

Breakout session Developing LGB&T specific outcomes

Amanda Turner Client Account Associate Stonewall Scotland

Breakout Session Using the Workplace Equality Index to meet your internal outcomes