Case study Organisation: Royal Forest of Dean College Type of FE provider: College Focus on: Equality and Diversity (Race)
Information and Advice Service Tel: 0207 936 5798 Email: advice@lluk.org www.lluk.org
Working in Partnership with National and Local Equality and Diversity Organisations Summary of activity An example of how colleges can work with external organisations to promote equality and diversity, and identify channels for disseminating this information more widely.
Background and strategic drive for activity The Royal Forest of Dean College is a small general further education college situated in a rural area of Gloucestershire, within two miles of the Welsh border. The Forest of Dean area has a low population density and poor transport infrastructure, which has an effect on both participation and attendance at the college. As the college is situated in a rural area with a predominantly white population, it is important to ensure that management and staff are aware of the national picture on equality and diversity. The college works closely with national equality organisations such as the Network for Black Professionals and the Black Leadership Initiative to ensure staff and students come into regular contact with role models from black and minority ethnic communities. This proactive commitment to promoting racial equality comes from the senior management team and is supported by the college’s Equality and Diversity
Committee. Both the Vice Principal (now Principal) and ex-Principal of the college have worked with the Network for Black Professionals and the Black Leadership Initiative before. The team has seen the benefits of working with national and regional organisations and understand better the need to ensure a diverse workforce.
Set-up and implementation Senior leaders of the college have good relationships with these and other national organisations, along with significant experience of promoting equality. There are many private and public sector organisations willing to support staff from under-represented groups in order to improve their career aspirations. The college has found that working with national organisations to support staff in raising their aspirations and skills as well adding to their portfolio of experience, has been relatively easy and productive.
The college is well-placed to put in place opportunities for staff to widen their career choices and experience. For example, three members of the senior management team are mentors for the Black Leadership Initiative’s monitoring and coaching programme, and the college Principal regularly delivers sessions in leadership and equality on programmes organised by the two organisations, such as the First Steps to Leadership programme. On a national level, the college is also involved in initiatives for the further education workforce, such as inviting black and minority staff and managers from across the country to work shadow senior managers at the college. As part of its staff development strategy, the college encourages and supports black and minority ethnic staff to attend the following professional development courses: • Aspiring Principals and Senior Leadership Programme • Inspection Training and Shadowing an Inspector • Shadowing Senior Executives from Industry and Government Agencies • High Flyers programme • First Steps into Leadership programme. The college also works with other equality and diversity organisations. For example: • It works closely with the National Star Specialist College and Heart of the Forest Special School to ensure its provision for students with learning difficulties or disabilities is of a high standard. It is also working with them to develop new programmes for learners with profound multiple learning disabilities and difficulties. • It actively participates in the South West Equality and Diversity Network. • It delivers education and training to staff and clients of organisations who support people with disabilities (for example, Forge Centre for the Blind).
Obstacles faced The only major obstacle encountered is the willingness of colleges nationally to allow staff and managers to take part in the various initiatives. Commitment to embedding equality and diversity practices must come from senior management in order for the whole organisation to benefit from them.
Impact and achievements The college’s workforce have improved their own confidence levels and are developing skills and experience as a result of these partnerships. Staff have been promoted by adding to their professional skill sets.
Some of the college’s main achievements include: • embedding quality and diversity into the curriculum • a good representation at management levels in terms of black and minority ethnic staff (9 per cent), female staff (64 per cent) and disabled staff (18 per cent), all of which are above the national average for the sector • a favourable reputation for promoting equality and diversity – the college is now organising a regional seminar on how it promotes equality and diversity • delivering equality and diversity support and training to local, regional and national employers, such as the District/County Councils, the Police Force, the Royal Air Force, the Probation Service, Boston College, Coleg Powys and Wolverhampton Adult Education Service.
Links to legal requirements and other equality areas This method of working has put the college in a good position to address other equality areas, which helps it to meet the requirements of current and future equalities legislation.
Next steps The college will continue to work with national organisations and will apply for funding, in order to support other colleges with their progress in terms of equality and diversity practices.
“An excellent example. The college has provided black and minority ethnic role models for staff and learners in an area with very low representation from minority groups. Their work with national and local organisations demonstrates their commitment to equality and diversity and widening opportunities for staff.” The Workforce Race Advisory Group
Provider contact Lisa Taylor Business Development Manager Royal Forest of Dean College, Five Acres Campus Berry Hill, Coleford, Gloucestershire GL16 7JT Telephone 01594 545371 lisa.taylor@rfdc.ac.uk Find out more about the work of The Workforce Race Advisory Group: www.lluk.org/3151.htm. RW09/09/200910.030
Contact Lifelong Learning UK 5th Floor St Andrew’s House 18-20 St Andrew Street London EC4A 3AY Ref: E&D/FE/07 2009/10
Information and Advice Service
020 7936 5798 Email: advice@lluk.org
This information is available in alternative formats from Lifelong Learning UK
www.lluk.org