Equal Opportunities Statement

Open College Network London Region (OCNLR) is an equal opportunities organisation. The aim of our policy is to ensure that no person receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, age, class, race, colour, religion, nationality, ethnic or national origins, disability, learning difficulties, marital status, sexual orientation.

Code of Practice

1. Introduction
   • The basis of the Code of Practice is OCNLR's agreed equal opportunities policy statement.
   • The equal opportunities policy is not a definitive document but a base for action. The policy is part of a process of change and is to be kept under continual review and development.
   • The Code of Practice outlines the main objectives of the OCNLR
     proposals and is a statement of intent to be achieved through consultation
     procedures.
   • The Code of Practice is a practical document that sets out what should be
     done to ensure the effective implementation of anti-discrimination as part
     of equal opportunities in OCNLR. It must therefore be familiar to and
     understood by everybody in OCNLR.


2. Display
   • The agreed policy statement should be displayed prominently in OCNLR.
   • The agreed policy statement should be included in relevant printed material produced by OCNLR.


3. Publicity / Advertising
   1. Publicity information should reflect the equal opportunities policy and photographs and case histories should be a cross section of learners and staff.
   2. Recruitment drives and advertising should not artificially restrict the number of applicants from any one group.
   3. Advertisements must be clear and unambiguous.
   4. Where advertisements state 'for further information please contact' this must not be used as an informal screening procedure but should be limited to giving factual information about qualifications or experience or general information.


4. Interview and Selection of Staff
   1. Interviewers should be trained to put forward OCNLR's equal opportunities policy and to ascertain the candidate's position in relation to equal opportunities.
   2. Interviewers should be aware of OCNLR's equal opportunities policy and constitute the frame of questions and the manner of the interview to give equal advantage.
   3. All job specifications and skills should be reviewed before recruitment begins.
   4. Skills specified should be strictly relevant to the requirements of the job. These should not be unnecessarily restrictive so as to exclude particular groups since this be indirectly discriminatory and therefore unlawful.
   5. The criteria for selection must be consistently applied to all applicants.
   6. Reasons for rejection or exclusions should be recorded.


5. Criteria Applied to Programmes and Courses Recognised
   1. The OCNLR promotes equal opportunities by accrediting courses and programmes for adults, particularly those who have benefited least from existing provision.
   2. Course submission documents and panels pay particular attention to target groups, recruitment and selection and curriculum in line with the equal opportunities statements.
   3. Development officers advise tutors and trainers to ensure that equal opportunities principles underpin all OCNLR's accredited programmes.
   4. Moderators are trained to pay attention to equal opportunities in the delivery and content of the programme.


6. Curriculum
   1. The curriculum and its delivery should not reinforce misconceptions about the contribution to society of any one group.
   2. Staff should update and moderators should advise the curriculum content, books and materials in line with OCNLR's and the providers' equal opportunities policy.


7. Membership of Open College Network London Region's Committees
   Institutions delegate appropriate managers and practitioners to serve on OCNLR's governing, executive and academic committees. OCNLR encourages the institutions to consider their equal opportunities policy statement when appointing members of these committees.


8. Clarification and Emphasis
   1. OCNLR should provide a period of time at induction of staff to outline the equal opportunities policy, code of practice and disciplinary procedures.
   2. Full copies of the code of practice and disciplinary procedures must be obtainable from the general office in OCNLR.