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Dear Mari Good to hear from you. I agree with your approach. Several of our managers have asked "what is the message on diversity?" and so I think that a single equality scheme will strengthen that as we can draw in how the strands overlap and inform each other. People don't always identify themselves in neat categories that the law provides for. Regards Pamela -----Original Message----- From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mari Piper Sent: 18 September 2006 08:58 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Single Equality Scheme Whilst there are differences between all three schemes, I do still think there can be a value in a single scheme. My expereince of managing both single schemes (in my current post) and separate schemes (in a previous post) is that separate schemes run a real danger of ignoring/assuming another scheme will cover issues of multiple inequality. The issues for disabled women can be very different from the issues for disabled men - ditto for every other equality intersection. My other concern is that if disability is dealt with away from other equality issues, it can become a very practical scheme about issues of physical access, and ignore some of the more 'politcial' issues. This concern is based on my previous experience of running a separate DES, although that was a voluntary DES, produced before the legislation and guidance was introduced. I also worry about what will happen in the future. Whilst three equality schemes might be possible, it looks likely to me that with the single Equality Act, and the streamlining of equality legislation, we will need to address issues of sexual orientation, age and religion or belief. Are six different equality schemes really workable? Particularly for smaller institutions? Because of these issues we have decided to go for a single equality scheme. This obviously, and rightly, raises concerns from people involved in disability issues within our University about whether disability will be lost within all the other equality issues (our Scheme will cover all six equality areas). However, it has similarly raised questions about whether race issues, gender issues, age issues, religious issues and sexual orientation issues will be lost within the single Scheme. I think those fears are perfectly normal whenever something that has been separate is put together collectively. The only way to offer reassurance is to make sure that each equality area is comprehensively and thoroughly covered. If this is done, then I really think that one Equality Scheme is a great deal more powerful than six separate ones. Mari Piper Equality and Diversity Manager CSB 7/21 University of Huddersfield Queensgate Huddersfield HD1 3DH Tel: 01484 473146 -----Original Message----- From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Melanie Landells Sent: 18 September 2006 08:38 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Single Equality Scheme Dear Waqas, I agree with their stance too and at Plymouth we have developed individual schemes for race and disability and will do for gender. I would like to think that we may be able to work towards a single scheme eventually but in the meantime I believe this route works for us because we are able to focus better on the specific priority actions for each positive duty strand and acknowledge the different starting points and position for each. Mel Mel Landells Head of Equality and Diversity Secretariat University of Plymouth 01752 233973 -----Original Message----- From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Waqas Hussain Sent: 17 September 2006 14:55 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Single Equality Scheme Dear Melanie, I'd agree in its entirety with the DRC's stance on this matter. DED in its very essence is uniquely distinctive from the other two duties both in terms of its application and outcome. We have been heavily involved across the public sector in developing DESs for various key public authorities. Our advise to those public authorities who wish to follow the route of developing a single equality scheme is that first of all they should consider developing their DES as a stand a loan document and then, try to merge it into the generic document i.e. by allowing specific sections in the single equality scheme for action plan and specific outcomes etc. Hope this helps! Many Thanks Waqas Hussain Director DEO Consultancy UK Diversity, Equality and Opportunity Ltd [log in to unmask] www.deo-consultancy.co.uk This email and any files attached are confidential and are solely for the use of the intended recipient or addressee. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender immediately by return of email or by telephone. Whilst every care has been taken to check this outgoing e-mail for viruses, it is your responsibility to carry out any checks upon receipt. -----Original Message----- From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Melanie Landells Sent: 17 September 2006 08:33 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Single Equality Scheme Colleagues may be interested on the DRC's view on SESs: Thinking about a single equality scheme? Many public authorities have expressed an interest in developing single equality schemes to meet their obligations on race and gender as well as disability. In response the DRC has produced a note reflecting our view. Although it is not unlawful to produce a single equality scheme under the DED this may be problematic, due to the distinctiveness of disability rights and the duty itself. The DRC would caution against single equality schemes unless this has been very carefully thought through and planned. Without careful planning there is a danger of not effectively meeting the requirements of the duty and failing to effectively promote disability equality. Follow the link to read our note on producing single equality schemes http://www.drc.org.uk/pdf/Single%20Equality%20Scheme.pdf Mel Melanie Landells Head of Equality & Diversity Secretariat Plymouth University Plymouth PL4 8AA [log in to unmask] 01752 233973 ________________________________ From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list on behalf of Hunter Sara Sent: Fri 15/09/2006 10:17 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Single Equality Scheme Because of the different legislation in N Ireland we have had a single equality scheme for the past 5 years. It is available at http://www.equality.ulster.ac.uk/scheme.html Regards Sara Sara P Hunter Head of Equality Policy and Practice Department of Teaching and Learning University of Ulster Shore Road Newtownabbey BT37 0LR +44 2890 368137 [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Helen Tatch [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 14 September 2006 12:13 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Single Equality Scheme Hi all Following the publication of HEFCE's Single Equality Scheme (SES) consultation, I was wondering whether any colleagues within other universities are planning on (or already are) developing their own SES? Kind regards Helen Tatch Staff Equality and Diversity Adviser University of Brighton email: [log in to unmask] -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.0.394 / Virus Database: 268.12.4/448 - Release Date: 14/09/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. 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