Equality and Diversity Policy – Learners and Visitors (CAVC Group)
Commitment
As a provider of education and training, Cardiff and Vale College Group will implement policies and procedures that meet the needs of our communities by promoting inclusion and addressing inequalities.
The Group strives to eliminate discrimination and overcome the disadvantages that exist in society which have resulted in some groups being treated less favourably than others. The Group has a responsibility to provide opportunities to individuals to achieve their potential in a safe and secure environment that is free of discrimination. The Group also has to ensure that it is representative of the community it serves and that it meets the needs of this community.
The Group is committed to promoting equality of opportunity in relation to gender, age, disability, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity and marriage/civil partnership.
All managers, staff, learners, contractors, visitors and others involved or engaged with the Group have the responsibility to behave in a manner that respects and supports the ethos of our inclusive Group and our commitment to fair opportunities for learning and employment. This duty refers to individuals when they are both in and out of our premises and includes use of the internet and electronic communication devices such as email, mobile phones, games consoles, social networking sites etc, regardless of ownership of the communication device.
Scope and Purpose of Policy
The Group willingly accepts its key responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 to:
- Eliminate discrimination, harassment, discrimination and other unlawful conduct.
- Advance equality of opportunity by removing or minimising disadvantages, taking steps to meet needs, and encouraging participation in public life where participation is disproportionately low.
- Foster good relations by tackling prejudice and promoting understanding.
The Equality Act, 2010, recognised that inequality and discrimination still persist and introduced further rights and new obligations for public bodies.
This policy is underpinned by the Group’s vision – Inspirational, Inclusive and Influential and will support our work towards the key drivers of Quality, Efficiency and Growth. The policy will incorporate the following principles:
- Learners will be supported to enable them to achieve their potential whilst in learning, in an environment which removes or minimises disadvantage, takes steps to meet their needs and which encourages participation.
- We will support learners to develop the skills they need to progress successfully through their lives.
- A commitment to the social model of disability where we look at removing the barriers someone could face because of their disability or learning difficulty to promote inclusion.
- This policy applies to all learners on all learning programmes regardless of mode or location of study.
- This policy applies to all partners, stakeholders and franchise organisations.
- This policy applies to visitors to the Group.