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 

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-----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]

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