Equal Opportunities Policy
Lancaster & Morecambe's College's existence and activities are determined by a belief in, and a commitment to ensuring all members of the College have an equal opportunity to maximise their potential and are equally valued and treated with respect. Equality and diversity mean making employment, education and services accessible to all and treating people fairly regardless of their gender, colour, race, language, religion, marital status, age, disability, sexuality, social background or any other unjustifiable reason. Lancaster & Morecambe College is opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination and harassment of any kind. It seeks to provide employment, education and services in an environment free from discrimination and in which diversity is valued.
Aims
We are committed to achieving and maintaining a student population and workforce which broadly reflects the local community we serve. The College will maintain and build upon existing policies to achieve equality of opportunity for you whether you are an existing employee, job applicant, student, prospective student, employer, visitor or contractor. Fair and non-discriminatory practices will be used.
Making It Work
Working towards equality and diversity is a significant task which cannot
be achieved overnight or by Lancaster & Morecambe College in isolation.
Funds and other resources available to the College will be used as creatively
and efficiently as possible to ensure that equality and diversity are central
to all operations and services and to underpin every aspect of its work.
We will implement our Equal Opportunities Policy (including Race Equality and
Disability Equality) in our work in partnership with other public, private
and voluntary organisations.
Copies of the full Equal Opportunities Policy (including Race Equality and Disability Equality) are available from:
Lancaster & Morecambe College
Morecambe Road
LANCASTER
LA1 2TY
Telephone: 01524 66215
Fax: 01524 843078
Race Equality
We will make the College welcoming to all, irrespective of colour, culture, race, language or religion and we will remove barriers within the College's control, which hinder or prevent students, or staff of ethnic minority racial groups from achieving their full potential. We will also ensure curriculum activities seek opportunities to celebrate cultural diversity, widen students' cultural understanding and prepare them to be effective citizens in a multi-racial society. For further information please refer to our Race Equality Policy (PDF 42KB).
Disability Equality
The College is committed in its role both as an employer and as an education provider to ensure disabled persons are not treated less favourably. All applicants for vacant posts, who indicate they have a disability, and who meet the essential criteria, will be invited for interview. All candidates for interview and applicants for courses when invited for interview will be asked if assistance is needed and, where reasonable, arrangements will be made for people with a disability to attend interview and to work at the College. The College will continue working towards making its premises fully accessible and giving appropriate levels of support to enable staff and students to work and learn to their full potential.
Education, Training and Development
Everyone will have equal access to education, training and career development. The education and training needs of particular groups of employees and/or students who are under-represented will receive positive attention.
Monitoring
Comprehensive monitoring of employees and job applicants, students and prospective students will be carried out. The purpose of monitoring will be to evaluate the effectiveness of the Equal Opportunities Policy (including Race Equality and Disability Equality). Action Plans for Equal Opportunities, Race Equality and Disability Equality will be produced. These will be reviewed annually when goals and targets will be set and performance and achievements reported upon to Governors.
Your Responsibilities
Each of us (whether we be employees, students, employers, contractors or members
of the public) has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. All staff
will be expected to participate actively in measures introduced by Lancaster & Morecambe
College to ensure that there is equality and non-discrimination.
Lancaster & Morecambe College requires all of us to behave in a non-discriminatory
way. Failure to do so will be taken seriously and could lead to disciplinary
(or other) action.
All of us will be encouraged to be a part of developing equality and diversity
through the policies and procedures in which we are involved.
All managers have a particular responsibility for implementing the Equal Opportunities Policy (including Race Equality or Disability Equality. The Senior Management Team, both individually and jointly, will ensure that it is implemented and monitored throughout the areas and services within their control. The Principal is responsible overall for its implementation. Employers and contractors have a responsibility to follow and adhere to the College's Equal Opportunities policy (including Race Equality and Disability Equality) and any conditions regarding Equality in contracts or agreements.
Publicising the Policies, Progress and Results
We will work with staff, students, employers and members of the public, both
formally and informally, to involve them in reviewing, improving and developing
our services.
Staff and students will receive a copy and/or summary of the Equal Opportunities
Policy (including Race Equality and Disability Equality). Assessment, monitoring
reports and results will be included in our Annual Report and College web-site.
Please look at the Equality and Diversity Policy for further information.
Complaints
If you have a concern about discrimination or harassment, you may use the College's procedure(s) without fear of reprisal. The use of internal procedures are to be followed before recourse to external but this does not affect your right of reference to an employment tribunal if you are employed.
Finally, if you wish to comment on any aspect of the College's Equal Opportunities Policy (including Race Equality and Disability Equality) please contact:
Julie Wilkinson
Corporate Services Manager/ Clerk to the Corporation
Lancaster & Morecambe College
Morecambe Road
Lancaster LA1 2TY
