Equality and Diversity Consultancy Support
Overview
All Public Bodies and Organisations that receive Government funding for activities, including training and education, are expected to operate to the highest standards in preventing unfair discrimination as well as promoting equality and diversity. For most, if not all, this requires them to demonstrate that their equality and diversity policies are meaningful in terms of those they employ and those they serve.
One of the most powerful and tangible ways of demonstrating that this is the case, lies with a process of robust Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs).
Successful organisations, by using EIAs. effectively assess their existing and proposed plans, policies, procedures and practices in terms of equality and diversity, understand their actual or likely effect on stakeholders and are able to implement the recommendations made, in their action plans.
Failure to conduct effective EIAs is likely to reflect poorly on the organisation and also create a risk of legal liability. For learning providers, through the 'limiting grades structure' of the common inspection framework 2009, this may well result in lower grades for overall effectiveness.
It is often difficult to self assess, reliably, the effectiveness of EIAs, the templates used, data and information gathered and actions taken so Excellence in Learning now offer a range of consultancy support options designed to help all organisations receiving public monies better ensure that their Equality Impact Assessments are robust.
With Inspection lead time being a maximum of 3 weeks from notification these services are likely to be highly useful to learning provider organisation
Experience and Expertise
The consultants we provide for these services are all qualified Barristers or Advocates who specialise in the area of equality, diversity and cultural awareness. The consultant team’s experience also includes change management, vocational quality and in depth experience of the workings of FE Colleges
Please note that none of our products or services constitutes official legal advice.
If you are unsure of your legal position or require legal advice you need to consult with an approved legal representative.
Equality Impact Assessment Gap Analysis
Indicative Cost: £499+vat typically covers 3 EIAs
exact costs are dependant on the state of development and complexity of the EIAs involved
Venue: Offsite - Desktop Review
Typical turnaround time: 7 days for 3 EIAs
This option provides a review of your existing EIA templates, systems and completed EIAs (including plans, policies and procedures) to identify ‘gaps’ in your EIA process and system.
We ask you to email the relevant documents to us in none protected Microsoft Word file format. We review and annotate the documents with suggestions advice and recommendations on how best to overcome gaps and improve effectiveness. The annotated files are then returned to you via email.
Pre-screening
Price: Indicative cost £995+vat, typically covers up to 8 Plans/Policies/Procedures.
Exact costs are dependant on the state of development and complexity of the documents involved
Venue: Offsite – Desktop Review
Typical turnaround time: 14 Days
This service enables you to have your plans, policies and procedures put through a partial initial screening. We then provide guidance, together with an explanation of our decision on whether or not the plans, policies or procedures should progress to full equality impact assessment.
This option enables you to reduce the amount of time spent on in house pre screening. Please note this service does not replace the organisations duty to undertake initial screening, but it does enable possible areas of concern to be identified quickly in turn reducing, significantly, the time and resources you need to spend on initial screening as the plan, policy or procedure will have notes attached identifying areas for concern or existing/potential weaknesses.
A template and tracking document is included.
We ask you to email the relevant documents to us in none protected Microsoft Word file format. We review and annotate the documents with suggestions advice and recommendations on how best to overcome gaps and improve effectiveness. The annotated files are then returned to you via email.
Coaching and Mentoring support
during initial screening and/or full equality impact assessments
Costs: Vary according to location and the quantity/level of support required
Venue: Onsite at your premises
Times: 08.30am to 17.30pm
This services involve our consultant working with you providing on site guidance and support during any part of your initial screening meetings and/or the full equality impact assessment process.
The coaching and mentoring support is adjusted to meet your specific requirements and could for example cover:
- Observing, Reporting and feeding back on the processes
- Impartial Advice and Guidance as required
- Active participation in the processes
- Combination of approaches
Chairing Initial Screening and/or Full Equality Impact Assessments
Costs: Vary according to location and the quantity/level of support required
Typical Volumes: Initial Screening 4-6 policies per day
: Equality Impact Assessment 3-5 per day
Venue: Onsite at your premises
Times: 08.30am to 17.30pm
Excellence in Learning provides an experienced consultant to lead and/or Chair your initial screening and or full equality impact process. Where required we will provide included in the price electronic templates and audit system to aid the process. Guidance will be supplied on use and completion.
Typically between 4 - 6 policies and procedures can be initially screened per day or between 3 – 5 policies and procedures fully equality impact assessed per day. The day can include a mixture of from both if required. Please note that the exact volume of work that can be covered in one day depends on the relative complexity of the policy and the availability and contribution of relevant stakeholders.
This service involves preparatory work by our consultants, including initial review of the plans policies and procedures involved. We ask you to email the relevant documents to us in none protected Microsoft Word file format at least 2 weeks prior to the onsite visit.
Review of Existing Practices
Costs: Vary according to location and the quantity/level of support required
Times: 08.30am to 17.30pm
Venue: Onsite at your premises
An Excellence in Learning consultant attends on site to examine and report on existing practices. This is achieved by cross referencing actual performance against your impact assessments and the requirements of the 2009 CIF. The review involves a mixture of observing and/or interviewing relevant staff and managers and where possible stakeholders together with a review of EIMs.
Actual Practices tend to be a lot more complex than the plans, policies and procedures have implications for change management. Recommended actions for improvement will be provided, including initial guidance on change management.
More Information
For more information on any of these please contact Ian Hirst via our contacts page