Single Equality Scheme
The 'Single Equality Scheme' sets out how Kidderminster College will promote equality of opportunity and positive attitudes towards all people regardless of race, gender, gender reassignment, disability, age, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation or pregnancy and maternity in the delivery of its services and the employment of its staff. It incorporates and therefore replaces the College's Equality and Diversity Policy, Disability and Gender Equality Schemes, and its Race Equality Action Plan. The revised Single Equality Scheme is based on the Equality Act 2010 which brings together, harmonises and in some respects extends the current equality law, making it more consistent, clearer and easier to follow thus making society fairer. The Equality Act 2010 supersedes all other legislation.
At Kidderminster College we welcome our duties to take a pro-active approach to the promotion of equality. We believe that our Single Equality Scheme will provide the framework for us to implement and extend beyond our duties.
The Equality Act 2010, and the new public sector Equality Duty which came into force in April 2011 protects people from discrimination on the basis of 'protected characteristics' (these used to be called 'grounds').The relevant characteristics are:
- disability
- gender reassignment
- pregnancy and maternity
- race - this includes ethnic or national origins, colour and nationality
- religion or belief
- sex (or gender) and
- sexual orientation
In addition the new public sector Equality Duty includes protection from discrimination and indirect discrimination against gender, gender reassignment and disability by association and/or perception.
