Balancing equalities

Managing the interface: sexual orientation and faith

Fitzroy Andrew

• Equality Act 2010

• Implications for the FE sector

• Case law

• Questions for you

Equality Act 2010

• Consolidating legislation

• ‘Protected characteristics’

• Public sector equality duty

• Phased introduction

Protected characteristics

• Age• Disability• Gender• Gender identity• Race• Religion or belief• Sexual orientation• Socio-economic (frozen)

The public sector duty

General duty:

• Eliminate discrimination and harassment

• ‘Advance equality for all’

• Foster good relations

The public sector duty

Specific duty:

• Publish information

• Prepare and publish equality objectives

• Emphasis on results rather than process

Case law

• Local authority

• Voluntary organisations

• Supermarket

• Fire service

Balancing equalities – Implications for the FE system

• Building inclusive cultures

• Learner charters

• Handling relations between learners

• Learning and support

Questions

• What are the practical ‘levers’ to bringing measures such as learner charters to life?

• What are the key issues regarding the workforce in your organisation?

• What information/knowledge/skills should be covered by learning/training events to support people in this area?

• What lessons can be transferred from other areas of policy to help progress in this area?

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