1. Further Education Support Service (FESS) FESS Equality Action Planning Framework: Supporting FETAC Registered Providers in Implementing Quality Assurance Siobhan Magee, FESS 28 May 2010 © Further Education Support Service 2010 1

2. FETAC Quality Assurance Policy Areas  Quality Assurance: Policy and Guidelines for Providers v1.2 B1Communications B2Equality B3Staff Recruitment and Development B4Access, Transfer and Progression B5Programme Development, Delivery, Review B6Fair and Consistent Assessment of Learners B7Protection for Learners B8Sub-contracting/ Procuring Programme Delivery B9Self-Evaluation of Programmes and Services © Further Education Support Service 2010 2

3. 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) © Further Education Support Service 2010 3

4. Policy Area B2 Equality © Further Education Support Service 2010 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

5. 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 © Further Education Support Service 2010 5

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7. Phase I Preparation 1. Secure Management Support 2. Initial Equality Awareness Training Phase II Information Gathering 3. Equality Audit/Review 4. Consult with Marginal Groups 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 Equality Action Planning 2 © Further Education Support Service 2010 7

8. Phase I Preparation Step 1. Secure Management Support  Sample Equality Action Planning Proposal Template © Further Education Support Service 2010 8

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10. 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 © Further Education Support Service 2010 10

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12. 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 © Further Education Support Service 2010 12

13. Phase II - Information Gathering Equality Audit Review Tool  Comprised of exemplar templates (small groups, whole staff, one to one, across the stakeholder learners, service users)  Can prioritise specific sections  Timescale can vary  Series of statements designed to reflect all aspects of the services of the Provider / Centre © Further Education Support Service 2010 13

14. Phase II - Information Gathering Equality Audit Review Tool  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 © Further Education Support Service 2010 14

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17. Phase II - Information Gathering Step 4. Consult with Marginal Groups  Learners from Marginal Groups  Representative Bodies (Appendix 5)  Consultation ; Why, Who, How ? © Further Education Support Service 2010 17

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19. 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 © Further Education Support Service 2010 19

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21. 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 © Further Education Support Service 2010 21

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28. Phase III Actions Step 8. Training  Provider Context  Learning Support, Assistive Technology, Understanding Barriers  Appendix 5. List of Agencies and Resources for Further Training © Further Education Support Service 2010 28

29. 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 © Further Education Support Service 2010 29

30. Phase III Actions Step 10. Review the Process  What is working well  What isn’t  What changes need to be made © Further Education Support Service 2010 30

31. Phase III Actions © Further Education Support Service 2010 31

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33. Siobhán Magee Jenny Whelan Finola Butler Mary Sheehy Phil Fitzpatrick Further Education Support Service www.fess.ie © Further Education Support Service 2010 cavan@fess.ie cork@fess.ie dublin@fess.ie tipperary@fess.ie wicklow@fess.ie 33

34. Thank you Siobhan Magee Further Education Support Service cavan@fess.ie cavan@fess.ie © Further Education Support Service 2010 34