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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Edinburgh College is committed to equality of opportunity and to a culture that respects difference.

We are committed to providing an inclusive ethos and environment, where everyone feels welcome, supported and respected.

We believe that, as an employer and public body, we can play a leading part in the promotion of equality and diversity more widely. We recognise that equality of access to education is crucial in unlocking many significant opportunities in life.

We aim to help remove barriers and advance equality for groups who experience disadvantage in our society.

Edinburgh College Equalities Calendar 2023-24

If you require any of the below documents in an alternative format, please email equality@edinburghcollege.ac.uk 

Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Reports

Under the Equality Act (2010), public authorities, in the exercise of their functions, are required to have due regard to the need to:

  • Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, and other prohibited conduct; 
  • Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not; 
  • Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

This is called the Public Sector Equality Duty.

In 2012, the Scottish Parliament passed legislation that implemented additional regulations in Scotland, including:

  • The duty to report progress on mainstreaming the Public Sector Equality Duty;
  • The duty to publish equality outcomes and report progress;
  • And the duty to publish in a manner that is accessible.

In accordance with this legislation, the College publishes Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Reports every four years, with a Progress Report published at the halfway point through that cycle.

  • Equality Outcomes are specific targets around equality. We identify between four and seven areas of work to focus on, based on either local or national evidence of persistent and significant inequality for a particular group or groups.
  • The Mainstreaming Report shows how the College promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion in all its day-to-day functions. It gives examples of all the different activities and projects that contribute to our goal of an inclusive College.

Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Progress Report 2023

Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Progress Report 2019

Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Report 2017-2021

Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Report 2021-25

Equality Impact Assessments

In compliance with our duties under the Equality Act (2010) and the Scottish Specific Duties (2012) we have also published the following:

Equality Impact Assessments from 2013 to date

Full list of Equality Impact Assessments

Gender Action Plan 

The following document sets out the ambitions of the College in tackling gender under-representation, in alignment with the Scottish Funding Council’s Gender Action Plan.  
 
Gender Action Plan 2019 

Access and Inclusion Strategy 2018-22

The following document sets out the College’s Access and Inclusion Strategy 2018-22 and outlines our commitment to ensuring all learners have equal opportunities while studying with us.  

Access and Inclusion Strategy 2018-22 

British Sign Language Action Plan

In accordance with the BSL (Scotland) Act (2015), the College has published a BSL Action Plan. Videos regarding the BSL Action Plan have been created in collaboration with Deaf Action.

Watch the videos about the BSL Action Plan 

British Sign Language Action Plan 

External Equalities Organisations and Resources

Age Scotland 

Deaf Action 

Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council 

Edinburgh Interfaith Association 

Enable

Equality and Human Rights Commission

LEAD Scotland

LGBT Youth

Saheliya 

Scottish Association for Mental Health 

Scottish Association of Minority Ethnic Educators

Scottish Transgender Alliance

Sikh Sanjog

Stonewall Scotland

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