Further Education Support Service FESS FESS Equality Action
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Further Education Support Service (FESS) FESS Equality Action Planning Framework: Supporting FETAC Registered Providers in Implementing Quality Assurance Siobhan Magee, FESS 28 May 2010 1 © Further Education Support Service 2010
FETAC Quality Assurance Policy Areas B 1 Communications B 2 Equality B 3 Staff Recruitment and Development B 4 Access, Transfer and Progression B 5 Programme Development, Delivery, Review B 6 Fair and Consistent Assessment of Learners B 7 Protection for Learners B 8 Sub-contracting/ Procuring Programme Delivery B 9 Self-Evaluation of Programmes and Services 2 © Further Education Support Service 2010 ØQuality Assurance: Policy and Guidelines for Providers v 1. 2
FETAC Quality Assurance in Further Education and Training Policy and Guidelines v 1. 3 state that; Programmes of education and training and related services should be delivered in a manner that accommodates diversity, combats discrimination and promotes equality of opportunity. Delivery agencies should have an institutional capacity and commitment to combat discrimination, to accommodate and make adjustments for diversity. This capacity needs to be planned and systematic rather than ad hoc, informal or reactive. A provider’s Equality Policy should express its commitment to equality in employment and service 3 provision and anti harassment. (Page 24) © Further Education Support Service 2010
Policy Area B 2 Equality Procedures (These Procedures can be separate or integrated) Guideline: The Procedure should seek to ensure that: Examples of evidence of good practice: A selection of the items below, or alternatives, would indicate that the Procedure is effective. B 2. 1 EQUALITY TRAINING Staff are aware of Equality issues and have a capacity to promote equality and combat discrimination B 2. 2 EQUALITY PLANNING A plan exists to realise equality objectives based on an audit of current provision with respect to equality © Further Education Support Service 2010 Details of Staff Training on Equality Learner Verification: survey questionnaires, evaluation sheets, learner representative body Staff Verification Equality Statement Disability Awareness Training Records Management reports Quality Assurance Team Meeting Minutes Equality Action Plan Notes of consultation with representative bodies Management reports Access/Equality Audit report Reports of data collected re the representation in the learner group of people covered by the nine grounds of equality legislation Budget allocation 4
FESS Equality Activities 2007/8 Programme of Seminars Ø ‘Equality in Further Education’; Introduction, Diversity, Inclusion From January 2009 Ø Equality Resource Development Phase FESS Equality Task Group Ø Equality Authority, Irish Vocational Education Association, City of Dublin VEC, Co Donegal VEC, Co Dublin VEC, Co Wexford VEC, Co Wicklow VEC, FESS 5 © Further Education Support Service 2010
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Equality Action Planning 2 Phase I Preparation 1. Secure Management Support 2. Initial Equality Awareness Training Phase III Actions 5. Communicate the Findings of the Review 6. Develop Action Plan 7. Amend/Develop Policies 8. Training 9. Implement the Plan 10. Review the Process Phase II Information Gathering 3. Equality Audit/Review 4. Consult with Marginal Groups 7 © Further Education Support Service 2010
Phase I Preparation Step 1. Secure Management Support ØSample Equality Action Planning Proposal Template 8 © Further Education Support Service 2010
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Phase I Preparation Step 2. Initial Equality Awareness Training Ø Core elements of Initial EA Training - Exploration of the concept and nature of equality, reflection on personal views and experiences (awareness, attitudes and understanding) - Compliance with legislation, models of equality , QA Obligations Ø Criteria to consider when selecting an Equality Trainer - Professional background / characteristics to consider when selecting an Equality Trainer 10 © Further Education Support Service 2010
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Phase II - Information Gathering Step 3. Equality Audit/Review Ø Purpose Ø Area of focus – review current practice and policy – specific group – specific equality ground – service – concern 12 © Further Education Support Service 2010
Phase II - Information Gathering Equality Audit Review Tool ØComprised of exemplar templates (small groups, whole staff, one to one, across the stakeholder learners, service users) Ø Can prioritise specific sections ØTimescale can vary ØSeries of statements designed to reflect all aspects of the services of the Provider / Centre 13 © Further Education Support Service 2010
Phase II - Information Gathering Equality Audit Review Tool Ø Linked to specific Quality Assurance Areas Ethos (Holistic approach) Communications Access Transfer and Progression Programme Development, Delivery and Review Fair and Consistent Assessment of Learners 14 © Further Education Support Service 2010
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Phase II - Information Gathering Step 4. Consult with Marginal Groups Ø Learners from Marginal Groups Ø Representative Bodies (Appendix 5) Ø Consultation ; Why, Who, How ? 17 © Further Education Support Service 2010
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Phase III Actions Step 5. Communicate the findings of the Review Ø (Summary) as identified in the tool Ø Staff Meetings, Newsletters, Circulars, Website Step 6. Develop Action Plan Ø Priority objectives, steps, responsibility, timeframe, markers, monitoring and evaluation 19 © Further Education Support Service 2010
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Phase III Actions Step 7. Amend / Develop Policies Ø The Equality Statement Ø Appendix 4 Policy Development - What is an Equality Policy? Why have an Equality Policy? Sample Policy Development Statements Introduction, Commitment, Action, Implementation, Equality Systems 21 © Further Education Support Service 2010
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Phase III Actions Step 8. Training Ø Provider Context Ø Learning Support, Assistive Technology, Understanding Barriers Ø Appendix 5. List of Agencies and Resources for Further Training 28 © Further Education Support Service 2010
Phase III Actions Step 9. Implement the Plan Ø Action Priorities from Audit / Review Tool (II, 3) Ø Timeframe from Action Planning Template (III, 6) Ø Short, Medium, Long Term Objectives Ø Monitoring Ø Review 29 © Further Education Support Service 2010
Phase III Actions Step 10. Review the Process Ø What is working well Ø What isn’t Ø What changes need to be made 30 © Further Education Support Service 2010
Phase III Actions 31 © Further Education Support Service 2010
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Further Education Support Service www. fess. ie cavan@fess. ie cork@fess. ie Siobhán Magee dublin@fess. ie Finola Butler tipperary@fess. ie Jenny Whelan wicklow@fess. ie Mary Sheehy Phil Fitzpatrick 33 © Further Education Support Service 2010
Thank you Siobhan Magee Further Education Support Service cavan@fess. ie 34 © Further Education Support Service 2010
