Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy
This policy sets out the Kind Learning Academy’s commitment to promoting equal opportunities for all learners, employees and other individuals or groups with whom it deals. This policy has been created with due regard for the Equality Act (2010); Further information on themes of equality and the ‘Protected Characteristics’ defined within the act can be found on the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s website: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/equality-act/protected-characteristic
- Introduction
- Scope
- Policy Statement
- Discrimination
- Learners
- Staff Recruitment and Selection
- Employment
- Confidentiality
- Responsibilities for Implementing the Policy
- Monitoring and Review
- Communication and Consultation
- Breach of Policy
- Contact Details
Accessible Format Information
1. Introduction
1.1. Kind Learning Academy (KLA) is committed to providing equality of opportunities and to maintaining an inclusive approach to equality which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity.
2. Scope
2.1. This policy applies to all members of staff, learners, visitors, contractors, sub- contractors, service providers, and any other persons associated with the functions of Kind Learning Academy.
3. Policy Statement
3.1. Kind Learning Academy will strive to investigate complaints under this policy in line with best practice. We are committed to providing equality for all irrespective of:
- Age
- Disability
- Race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin)
- Sex
- Gender reassignment
- Religion or belief
- Sexual orientation
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
3.2. Under the Equality Act (2010), these are known as ‘protected characteristics.
3.3. Kind Learning Academy recognises that members of staff and learners may have a range of aspirations and goals and wish to provide a positive working and learning environment where diverse skills and experiences are applied to learning, teaching, support services, research, consultancy, administration, and management.
3.4. All staff and learners should have equal access to the full range of institutional facilities, and adjustments to working and learning practices are considered wherever appropriate to accommodate a more diverse Kind Learning Academy community.
3.5. An Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy cannot succeed without the active support of the entire Kind Learning Academy community. The KLA Academic Board has the ultimate responsibility, managers have direct day-to-day responsibility, and all members of staff and learners have personal responsibility for its implementation as outlined below.
3.6 Equality and Diversity are integral to policy formulation, planning, and projects and programmes.
3.7. Kind Learning Academy aims to foster an environment where freedom of expression and debate flourish within the parameters of this Policy.
3.8. This policy takes account of the following legislation:
- The Equality Act (2010) and associated secondary legislation
- Criminal Justice and Immigration Act (2008)
- The Racial and Religious Hatred Act (2006)
- The Civil Partnership Act (2004)
- The Gender Recognition Act (2004)
- Criminal Justice Act (2003)
- The Human Rights Act (1998)
- The Protection from Harassment Act (1997)
- Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (2001)
4. Discrimination
Avoiding Discrimination
4.1. Any staff member, job applicant, learner, prospective learner, or visitor who believes they may have been the victim of discrimination, harassment, or victimisation shall have full protection under the Equality Act 2010, and Kind Learning Academy’s Learner Complaints or Staff Grievance Procedures.
4.1.1. Any cases of harassment, discrimination, bullying, or victimisation will be taken very seriously by Kind Learning Academy. Any member of staff or learner found guilty of unlawful discrimination or harassment will be subject to disciplinary action, including, where appropriate, dismissal for gross misconduct.
Specific Provisions
4.2. Age: Kind Learning Academy will not discriminate against any staff member, job applicant, learner, or prospective learner because of age, or perceived age. Age will not be used to justify a failure to appoint, promote or train a member of staff.
4.2.1. Disability: Kind Learning Academy will not discriminate against members of staff, learners, job applicants, prospective learners, or visitors because of a disability or perceived disability. Kind Learning Academy will make every effort to facilitate reasonable adjustments to enable staff to carry out their roles and support learners with disabilities.
4.4. Race: Kind Learning Academy does not accept any form of racial discrimination against any staff member, job applicant, learner, or prospective learner because of their race or perceived race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national background, or religious beliefs.
4.5. Sex: Kind Learning Academy will not treat any staff member, job applicant, learner, or prospective learner less favourably because of their gender or gender identification.
4.6. Sexual Orientation: Kind Learning Academy recognises that many lesbian, gay, and bisexual people perceive and sometimes experience exclusion in social, academic, and work-related activities, and will continue to work towards an environment where all people feel able to be open about their sexuality should they choose.
4.7. Religion or Beliefs: Kind Learning Academy will not discriminate against any staff member, job applicant, learner, or prospective learner because of cultural or religious beliefs, or perceived beliefs. All members of Kind Learning Academy are expected to take account of the rights and reasonable sensitivities of others in pursuing their own observance.
4.8. Type of Contract: Kind Learning Academy recognises its responsibilities under the Part-Time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000 and The Fixed-Term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2002, to ensure that part-time and fixed-term workers are in no less favourable position than staff with permanent and/or full-time contracts.
5. Learners
Admissions
5.1. Recruitment and all other marketing literature shall include a reference to Kind Learning Academy’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy. All recruitment literature shall use appropriate language, and prospective learners shall be given realistic guidance on the costs they can expect to pay and the financial support arrangements available to them.
5.1.2. Kind Learning Academy shall select its learner in accordance with its Admission Policy, and take steps to ensure that academic admissions staff and teachers are aware of and conform to Kind Learning Academy’s Equality and Diversity Policy. The procedures followed during the process of admissions and clearing shall be regularly reviewed and, if necessary, revised to minimise the risk of inadvertent discrimination.
5.1.3. Where an applicant has reason to believe that their application has not been handled fairly, objectively, or in accordance with the procedures described above and/or in the Admissions Policy, the applicant should write to the Quality Manager setting out their reasons.
Curriculum
5.2. Kind Learning Academy recognises the importance of individual development through the educational process, and the role of the curriculum in ensuring this development is fulfilled. Kind Learning Academy is committed to promoting equality of opportunity concerning programme content, approaches to teaching and learning, assessment methods, and the structure and timetabling of courses of study.
5.2.1. Kind Learning Academy shall ensure that documents such as module study guides and programme handbooks, teaching materials, and assessments reflect the aims of this Policy, and are available in alternative formats. Kind Learning Academy shall offer a portfolio of provisions relevant and of interest to all genders, and from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds.
Teaching
5.3.1. All staff and learners shall use appropriate language in teaching and learning. It is a fundamental principle of academic freedom that reasoned argument may be employed to test and challenge views, opinions, and assertions of all kinds. This clause must not be used to discourage or prevent the exercise of that freedom.
Assessment
5.4. Kind Learning Academy’s objective is to provide a fair method of assessment to ensure equality of opportunity for all learners. Appropriate and flexible arrangements shall be made for learners with known disabilities, and/or specific learning difficulties in the assessment and examination process.
Services and Facilities
5.5. Kind Learning Academy is committed to access for all learners to the central services it provides, and the facilities it offers. All central services within Kind Learning Academy that offer services directly to individual learners shall monitor the impact of their delivery.
Health and Safety
5.6.1. Kind Learning Academy aims to provide a healthy and safe environment for learners. Learners must familiarise themselves with relevant policies, and comply with any requirements.
5.6.2. Kind Learning Academy shall make every effort to make reasonable adjustments to ensure all parts of Kind Learning Academy are accessible and safe.
Code of Conduct
5.7. Kind Learning Academy’s procedures shall be reviewed regularly to ensure currency and effectiveness in promoting equality and diversity.
Training
5.8. Kind Learning Academy’s staff normally having contact with learners shall be made aware of this Policy, supplemented by basic training appropriate to their role. Specific advice and training shall be given to academic staff regarding recruitment, selection, assessment, teaching, and learner disciplinary matters.
Harassment and Bullying
5.9. Allegations of harassment and bullying are regarded extremely seriously, and may be grounds for disciplinary action in accordance within Kind Learning Academy policy and procedure.
6. Staff Recruitment and Selection
Advertisements
6.1. Kind Learning Academy will advertise posts outlining the relevant skills, qualifications, knowledge, competencies, and experience necessary for the job to attract the best applicants, unless it is to take positive action to welcome applications from underrepresented groups.
Shortlisting and Interviews
6.2. Kind Learning Academy will produce a shortlist of job applicants who, from the evidence available, appear to have the necessary skills and abilities in relation to criteria stipulated in the job description/person specification. All staff involved in short- listing, interviewing, or other selection processes are trained in line with Kind Learning Academy’s equality and diversity policies.
Monitoring
6.3. Job applications, shortlisting, interviewees, and appointments are monitored for both permanent and temporary positions regarding age, ethnic origin, disability, and gender. If monitoring reveals any evidence of discrimination, remedial action will be taken.
7. Employment
Equal Pay
7.1. Kind Learning Academy supports the principle of equality of opportunity in employment, and believes that staff should receive equal pay for the same or broadly similar work, for work rated as equivalent, and for work of equal value regardless of gender (including staff who have undergone gender reassignment).
Staff Recruitment and Promotion
7.2. All staff members have a job description outlining the main duties of their role within Kind Learning Academy. If an employee changes roles during their employment, they will be given a new job description.
7.2.1. Kind Learning Academy operates an annual performance review process in which all staff are encouraged to participate. Managers will use this process to give feedback and provide clear guidance on their area of work.
Training, Development, and Promotion
7.3. All staff are encouraged to participate in staff development activities, including mandatory EDI training as part of their induction. EDI-focused development opportunities are regularly communicated to ensure staff stay informed on best practices. The appraisal process offers a consistent opportunity to agree on development activities and review progress. This ensures that staff not only meet the mandatory EDI training requirements but also reflect on how EDI practices can be integrated into their roles and responsibilities.
Work-life Balance
7.4.1. Kind Learning Academy recognises, accepts, and values staff members’ different needs, including care responsibilities and personal development.
8. Confidentiality
8.1. Kind Learning Academy will protect the confidentiality of any equal opportunities monitoring data on staff or learners, and will safeguard any information disclosed voluntarily within the regulations set by the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The information will be used for statistical purposes only, and Kind Learning Academy will safeguard the confidentiality of personal information disclosed.
9. Responsibilities for Implementing the Policy
Members of Staff
9.1. All members of staff have the responsibility to comply with this Policy, cooperate with their Line Managers, treat others with respect, actively discourage discriminatory behaviour/practice, and engage in training and wider learning opportunities to eliminate prejudice and extend good practice.
Learners
9.2. All learners are expected to be aware of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy and abide by its principles. In particular, they should:
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- Treat everyone with respect and dignity, avoiding degrading and stereotypical images and/or derogatory references to minority groups.
- Refrain from discriminatory or harassing behaviour related to current or historical conflict between people of different racial and/or cultural groups.
10. Monitoring and Review
10.1. All policies will be reviewed on a rolling basis to ensure their effectiveness in achieving equality of opportunity. Although overall responsibility lies with the Quality Manager, it is the responsibility of Kind Learning Academy managers to initiate these reviews in their area of operation.
10.2. Kind Learning Academy will maintain a statistical record in terms of sex, age, and race from the application stage through recruitment and career progression of staff, and recruitment and academic achievement of learners, providing regular management reports with recommendations as appropriate.
11. Communication and Consultation
11.1. An Annual Report will be made to the Board of Directors, and made available to staff and learners on request. Based on this report, necessary recommendations will be made for improvements.
12. Breach of Policy
12.1. Complaints of discrimination on the grounds covered by this policy should be addressed using the appropriate Grievance Procedures for staff or the Complaints procedure for learners. Staff should speak to their line manager informally initially. If a formal complaint is desired, they should refer to the Employee Handbook.
13. Contact Details
13.1. For further information or guidance regarding any issues covered in the policy, please contact the Quality Manager.
