further education support service (fess) fess equality action planning framework: supporting fetac...

Further Education Support Service (FESS)

FESS Equality Action Planning Framework:

Supporting FETACRegistered Providers in

Implementing Quality Assurance

Siobhan Magee, FESS28 May 2010

© Further Education Support Service 2010

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FETAC Quality Assurance Policy Areas

Quality Assurance: Policy and Guidelines for Providers v1.2

B1 Communications

B2 Equality

B3 Staff Recruitment and Development

B4 Access, Transfer and Progression

B5 Programme Development, Delivery, Review

B6 Fair and Consistent Assessment of Learners

B7 Protection for Learners

B8 Sub-contracting/ Procuring Programme Delivery

B9 Self-Evaluation of Programmes and Services


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FETAC Quality Assurance in Further Education and Training Policy and

Guidelines v1.3 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 provision and anti harassment. (Page 24)


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Policy Area B2 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.

B2.1 EQUALITY TRAINING

Staff are aware of Equality issues and have a capacity to promote equality and combat discrimination

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

B2.2 EQUALITY PLANNING

A plan exists to realise equality objectives based on an audit of current provision with respect to equality

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 ‘Equality in Further Education’; Introduction,

Diversity, Inclusion

From January 2009 Equality Resource Development Phase

FESS Equality Task Group Equality Authority, Irish Vocational Education

Association, City of Dublin VEC, Co Donegal VEC, Co Dublin VEC, Co Wexford VEC, Co Wicklow VEC, FESS


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Phase IPreparation

1. Secure Management Support2. Initial Equality Awareness Training

Phase IIInformation Gathering

3. Equality Audit/Review4. Consult with Marginal Groups

Phase IIIActions

5. Communicate the Findings of the Review6. Develop Action Plan7. Amend/Develop Policies8. Training9. Implement the Plan10. Review the Process

Equality Action Planning2


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Phase I Preparation

Step 1. Secure Management Support Sample Equality Action Planning Proposal

Template


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Phase I Preparation Step 2. Initial Equality Awareness Training

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

Criteria to consider when selecting an Equality Trainer

- Professional background / characteristics to consider when selecting an Equality Trainer


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Phase II - Information Gathering

Step 3. Equality Audit/Review Purpose Area of focus

– review current practice and policy – specific group – specific equality ground – service – concern


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Equality Audit Review Tool

Comprised of exemplar templates (small groups, whole staff, one to one, across the stakeholder learners, service users)

Can prioritise specific sectionsTimescale can vary Series of statements designed to reflect all

aspects of the services of the Provider / Centre


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Equality Audit Review Tool Linked to specific Quality Assurance

Areas

Ethos (Holistic approach)Communications Access Transfer and ProgressionProgramme Development, Delivery and Review Fair and Consistent Assessment of Learners


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Step 4. Consult with Marginal Groups

Learners from Marginal Groups Representative Bodies (Appendix 5) Consultation ; Why, Who, How ?


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Phase III Actions

Step 5. Communicate the findings of the Review

(Summary) as identified in the tool Staff Meetings, Newsletters, Circulars, Website

Step 6. Develop Action Plan Priority objectives, steps, responsibility,

timeframe, markers, monitoring and evaluation


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Phase III Actions

Step 7. Amend / Develop Policies The Equality Statement

Appendix 4 Policy Development - What is an Equality Policy?

- Why have an Equality Policy?

- Sample Policy Development Statements

- Introduction, Commitment, Action, Implementation, Equality Systems


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Phase III Actions

Step 8. Training

Provider Context Learning Support, Assistive Technology,

Understanding Barriers Appendix 5. List of Agencies and Resources

for Further Training


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Phase III Actions

Step 9. Implement the Plan

Action Priorities from Audit / Review Tool (II,3) Timeframe from Action Planning Template (III,6) Short, Medium, Long Term Objectives Monitoring Review


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Phase III Actions

Step 10. Review the Process

What is working well What isn’t What changes need to be made


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Phase III Actions


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Siobhán Magee

Jenny Whelan

Finola Butler

Mary Sheehy

Phil Fitzpatrick

Further Education Support Servicewww.fess.ie


[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

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Thank you Siobhan Magee

Further Education Support Service

[email protected]


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further education support service (fess) fess equality action planning framework: supporting fetac...

Documents

equality trainingstaff

equality objectives

equality of opportunity

equality auditreview4

education introduction

providers equality policy

service provision

programme of seminars