Equality and Diversity Policy

Introduction
The Equality Act 2010 aims to eliminate unlawful discrimination and advance equality of opportunity for all. The Act simplifies, strengthens and harmonises previous legislation to provide a new discrimination law which protects individuals from unfair treatments and promotes a fair and more equal society.

The Act consolidates the General Equality Duty and establishes a new Public Sector Equality Duty for public authorities covering nine protected characteristics: disability, age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity, gender reassignment, and marriage and civil partnerships.

Bamboo Recruitment Ltd (trading as Bamboo Childcare) reinforces the Equality Act 2010 through its commitment to create a safe and secure environment for students and staff in which equality of opportunity and diversity of backgrounds and experiences is valued. We at Bamboo Training & Apprenticeships committed to valuing diversity and to promoting and implementing equality of opportunity in all of the activities and services that it provides to students, staff and visitors.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd aims to provide the conditions which encourage everyone to participate in
learning and actively combat harassment, radicalisation and bullying.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd value the diversity of all students and staff and the contribution they make to the success of the provider.

Bamboo Recruitment Ltd has a belief and commitment for the right of everyone to be given equal access to opportunities and be treated with dignity and respect regardless of age; disability and/or learning difficulties; ethnic origin; gender; marital status or domestic responsibilities; religion or belief; sexual orientation; or socio-economic background.

Bamboo Recruitment Ltd Specific Equality and Diversity objectives are: -

• To continue to improve the success rates of all students identifying and where appropriate addressing any achievement gaps.
• To assess the impact of socio-economic background on learner performance and identify areas for further exploration and action.
• To further improve retention of vulnerable groups through rigorous initial advice and guidance and individualised study programmes.

Scope
This policy sets out our position on equality and diversity in relation to marketing, publicity and school liaison, access and environment, curriculum, teaching and learning, staffing, including recruitment and selection, and professional development.
It is an evolving document that will be reviewed and updated in light of continuing involvement of, and consultation with, both existing and potential users, partners, community groups, voluntary organisations and individuals with interests in our work. This policy is intended to continuously adapt to new developments and legislations, and to reflect our growing understanding of existing and emerging issues.  In seeking to involve and consult with our communities will endeavour to be open, responsive to individual/group needs, inclusive of the views of those involved/consulted, and to take these into account when making decisions.  This policy demonstrates how we will ensure commitment to equality of opportunity.

Definitions
Discrimination – Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will not accept behaviour towards people which results in them being treated worse or less favourably than others are being treated because of a protected
characteristic.

Harassment – Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will not accept behaviour towards people which is offensive, might threaten their security or create an intimidating or hostile environment which could hinder
their performance and/or affect their personal well-being.

Victimisation – Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will not accept one person treating another badly because s/he in good faith has taken or supported any action under the Act.

Protected Characteristics – The following characteristics are ‘protected characteristics’ under
the Equality Act 2010 for further education institutions:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender Re-assignment
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or Belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation
• Marriage and civil partnerships (this is a protected characteristic for employment purposes only)

All alleged incidents of discrimination, harassment and/or victimisation will be dealt with according to the Bamboo Recruitment Ltd’ relevant policies e.g. harassment/bullying policies and disciplinary
procedures.

Responsibilities
Management will be responsible for: -

• Ensuring that The Equality Act 2010 is followed
• Ensuring Bamboo Apprenticeships meet all its duties under the legislation
• Giving a consistent and high profile lead on all equality issues
• Promoting the Equality and Diversity policy both internally and externally
• Ensuring that the equality policy is fully implemented
• Putting the policy into practice
• Making sure that all staff know their responsibilities and receive support and training to carry these out
• Taking action against staff or students who discriminate, harass or victimise others in relation to any of the protected characteristics.
• Ensuring that all policy documentation and procedures, including course approval processes, are equality impact assessed to look for any adverse effect they may have on students, staff or the wider community
• Building equality into their own area of work and consider setting equality targets where appropriate
• The implementation and monitoring of this policy
• Ensuring that other organisations working within or for Bamboo Recruitment Ltd work according to the requirements of The Equality Act 2010

All staff are responsible for: -

• Operating within this policy at all times
• Advancing equality of opportunity and fostering good relations
• Challenging inappropriate language and behaviours
• Completing mandatory equality and diversity training

The expectations for student’s behaviour are: -

• Behave in a polite, courteous and friendly manner that does not offend and does not discriminate
• Treat everyone with equal respect
• Comply with the code of conduct

Information, Advice and Guidance
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will ensure equality of access to all prospective students by: -

• Ensuring that all course information is accurate, clear and free from explicit or implicit discrimination and that it is presented in a format that is easily understood by all prospective students
• Providing written entry criteria and procedures which are free from any form of discriminatory practice
• Offering impartial guidance for all applicants to ensure their placement on appropriate courses which offer potential success and progression

Providing clear and accurate information and advice on: -

• Entry requirements
• Course content and methods of delivery
• Assessment arrangements
• The time students will need for personal study in addition to timetabled sessions
• Possible progression routes
• Course fees if payable
• Additional costs of materials, clothing, visits and other costs associated with the course
• Support available
• Financial help, if available
• The success of previous students
• Inspection results
• How to apply

Accessibility
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will ensure, as far as reasonably practical, that learning difficulties and/or learning disabilities do not prevent students enrolling on an appropriate course of study.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will provide assessment of learner’s needs and provide learners with support to enable them to achieve their learning goals.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will ensure the liaison between company staff and outside agencies in co-ordinating support and minimising potential barriers.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will ensure accessibility of assessment in line with awarding body regulations.

Teaching and Learning
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will ensure that all students experience equal access in terms of curriculum, assessment, support services and resources by ensuring that the course of study meets learners’
and employers’ needs and that local and national priorities are used to review and plan the provision.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will ensure that teaching, learning and assessment promote equality, support diversity and tackle discrimination, victimisation, harassment, stereotyping, radicalisation and bullying.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd staff will use teaching, learning and assessment strategies and resources that reflect and value diversity of learners’ experiences and provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of people and communities beyond their immediate experience.

Data Management and Review
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will ensure that effective systems for the monitoring and evaluation of equality and diversity practices are in place.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will monitor and analyse data relating to applications, enrolment, attendance, retention, achievement and progression of students with a view to comparing trends and highlighting and addressing any imbalances identified; thus ensuring that achievement gaps are narrowed between different groups of students.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will collect, analyse and react accordingly to feedback and suggestions from students and other company stakeholders in its quest for continuous service improvement.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will monitor the embedding of equality, diversity and British Values into teaching, learning and assessment through classroom observations and professional development action planning to ensure continuous improvement.

Promotion
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will ensure the promotion of an inclusive and non-discriminatory environment by the embedding of equality and diversity into the curriculum and through cross company promotional materials, activities and events. The company will actively promote British Values.  All students will attend an induction programme at the commencement of their programme to make them aware of the policy expectations, their personal responsibilities and how to address any experienced breach in the policy.

Staffing
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd recruitment policy positively supports equality of opportunity.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will ensure that all recruitment and selection panels have training and guidance on their responsibilities under The Equality Act 2010 and the company’s Equality and Diversity Policy.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will monitor the recruitment and progression data for its staff to prevent
discrimination from occurring and to take positive action to address issues should they be found.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will monitor the recruitment profile of all applications for employment to ensure that appointments are made on merit and from the widest field of application.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will provide an inclusive environment with a wide range of support for staff so that they are able to fulfil their potential within the organisation.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will collect, analyse and react accordingly to feedback and suggestions from staff in its quest for continuous service improvement.

Staff Training and Professional Development
All newly appointed staff will undertake an induction programme to make them aware of the
policy expectations, their personal responsibilities and how to address any experienced breach in the policy.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will provide all staff with mandatory training to raise awareness of The Equality Act 2010 and its implications and equip them with the knowledge and skills required to meet our commitment to equality and diversity.
Bamboo Recruitment Ltd will provide specialist equality and diversity staff development commensurate with the roles and responsibilities of staff.

General
If any individual feels that they have been treated less favourably and not in accordance with this policy, they should report this in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Comments, Compliments and Complaints Procedure.