Equality Policy

Statement

Care Training East Midlands (CTEM) and Central Skills is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and eliminating discrimination in all those areas over which it has influence.

Our aim is that our workforce and learners, both potential and actual, will be truly representative of all sections of society and will feel respected and able to give their best. To that end, the purpose of this policy is to promote equality in our employment and for those accessing our services and not to discriminate on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion/belief or age. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.

All employees, whether part-time, full-time or temporary, will be treated fairly and with respect. Selection for employment, promotion, training and any other benefit will be on the basis of aptitude and ability. All employees will be helped and encouraged to develop their full potential and the talents and resources of the workforce will be fully utilised to maximise efficiency of the organisation.

CTEM and Central Skills are committed to widening access to its services and facilities to members of under-represented groups. This commitment is accompanied by the recognition that equality must encompass programme, teaching and learning issues.

Aims

In particular, CTEM and Central Skills will:

• Meet all relevant legislation and government guidelines.
  
• Ensure all aspects of employment, from vacancy advertising, selection, recruitment and training to conditions of employment and reasons for termination are covered by this policy.
• Create an environment in which individual differences and the contributions of all (employees and service users) are recognised and valued.
• Ensure that its Policy Statement and accompanying codes of practice are widely distributed.
• Maintain support systems for employees and learners who may be the subject of discrimination.
• Provide training to ensure that equality and diversity principles underpin all aspect of CTEM and Central Skills’ life and inform the teaching and learning processes for all employees and service users.
• Ensure equality of access to employment by monitoring the recruitment, selection, retention and appraisal processes for all employees.
• Promote the attainment of a workforce that is representative of the community from which it is drawn.
• Ensure equality of access to programmes for all members of the community able and eligible to benefit, by monitoring and reviewing referrals, starts, provision delivery, marketing materials etc.
• Make every effort to ensure that the structures, services, physical environment and buildings reflect the needs of (potential or actual) employees, service users and visitors.
• Not tolerate any form of intimidation, bullying or harassment.
• Commit itself to the regular review and monitoring of all policies and practices.
• Actively encourage and support each individual to reach their full potential.
• Make it a condition of service and admission that employees and service users adhere to this Policy.
• Make every effort to ensure that all contractors, organisations or individuals who work with Care Training East Midlands are aware of and commit to the Policy.
• Positively seek to establish links with outside organisations, partners and community groups which have a commitment to equality and build a network of support, information exchange and mutual cooperation.
• Identify and invest in the appropriate resources to fulfil these aims.

Responsibility

All employees have a responsibility to ensure that the equality of all service users and employees of CTEM and Central Skills’ is respected.

Operational responsibility lies with the Managing Director and the Senior Management with direction from the Equality Officer. The Equality Policy will be reviewed by Senior Management and the Equality Officer at least annually.