Contents

• Introduction
• RLSS UK Qualifications Commitments
• ATC/Ps Responsibility 
• Review Arrangements
• Areas Covered by the Policy
• Monitoring the Success and Relevance of our Arrangements 
• Contact Details

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Introduction

This policy is aimed at Approved Training Centres/Providers (ATC/Ps) and learners who are delivering/enrolled on or have taken an RLSS UK Qualifications, qualification, or units.  

RLSS UK Qualifications is dedicated to encouraging a supportive and inclusive culture.  It is in our best interest to promote diversity and eliminate discrimination in the workplace. 

This policy reinforces our commitment to providing equality and fairness to all and not provide less favorable facilities or treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, national origin, religion or belief or sex and sexual orientation.  We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.

It sets out our intention to deliver a service and range of qualifications that are fair, accessible, and do not include any unnecessary barriers to entry. It sets out a framework that seeks to ensure all will be treated fairly and with respect. 

This Policy should be read and understood in conjunction with other RLSS UK Qualifications policies and guidance in relation to current Equality and Diversity legislation 

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RLSS UK Qualifications Commitments 

RLSS UK Qualifications aim to: 

• Promote environments where individual differences and contributions of all are recognised and valued 
• Encourage environments that promote dignity and respect for all 
• Not tolerate any form of discrimination, intimidation, bullying or harassment and to take appropriate action for any breach of this policy 
• Promote equality which RLSS UK Qualifications believes is good management practice and make sound business sense. 

• Encourage anyone who feels they have been subject to discrimination to raise their concerns so corrective measures may be implemented 
• Encourage all to treat other with respect and dignity 
• Regularly review practices and procedures so that fairness is maintained at all times. 

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ATC/Ps Responsibility 

It is important that all individuals involved in the delivery of our qualifications and learners are fully aware of the contents of the policy.  This can be achieved through induction and ongoing training into individual staff roles and induction of learners onto RLSS UK Qualifications training programmes.  

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Review Arrangements 

We review all policies annually in response to customer and learner feedback, changes in our practices, changes in statutory requirements and actions imposed upon us by regulatory authorities or other external agencies. 

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Areas Covered by the Policy  

• RLSS UK Qualifications staff 

RLSS UK Qualifications commits to incorporating specific and appropriate duties in respect of implementing the Equal Opportunities policy into job descriptions and work objectives of all staff. 

RLSS UK Qualifications will provide equality training and guidance as appropriate to all staff; including staff induction training as well as further on-going training as identified via our internal staff performance review arrangements. 

• Qualification Development 

RLSS UK Qualifications will ensure that there are no features that could disadvantage any groups of learners that share a particular characteristic or barriers to entry other than those directly related to the purpose of the units or qualifications.   

• ATC/Ps 

RLSS UK Qualifications expects its ATC/Ps to enable learners to have equal access to training and assessment for qualifications irrespective of their sex, marital status, age, religion, race, nationality or ethnic origin or disability etc., as above.* Assessment must similarly be undertaken without discrimination.  ATC/Ps are required to have in place a policy to ensure that such discrimination does not occur either directly, indirectly or as a result of pressure from other bodies.  This policy should apply to all satellite/associated venues and there should be arrangements in place to monitor its application and effectiveness. 

Where complaints relating to issues of inequality cannot be satisfactorily resolved by the ATC/P, learners must be made aware of their right to appeal to RLSS UK Qualifications via the arrangements outlined in our Appeals Policy. 

* Please refer to RLSS UK Qualifications Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy

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Monitoring the Success and Relevance of our Arrangements 

RLSS UK Qualifications is committed to complying with all current and relevant legislation, which at the time of writing includes, but is not limited to, the Equality Act 2010 and Northern Ireland Equality Law and laws relevant to countries it operates or has an interest in delivering RLSS UK Qualifications qualifications.**  

As part of the learner registration and certification processes for qualifications and units, RLSS UK Qualifications may collect information on diversity, requests for special considerations, access arrangements, and feedback from learners, ATC/Ps, and other stakeholders in accordance with current GDPR and Data Protection legislation.   

All relevant issues identified that suggest that our provision or services may have unnecessarily impacted on learners should be reported to our Head of Compliance who will be responsible for ensuring that relevant staff introduces, as appropriate, amendments to provision and/or services where necessary and in accordance with our documented procedures for developing and reviewing units and qualifications. 

**Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011; Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Wales) 2011 and other relevant legislation applicable in own country 

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Contact Details

Contact Details

Last updated: December 2022