Equality Objectives

Equality Objectives

Northern Leaders Trust recognises that certain groups in society have historically been disadvantaged on account of unlawful discrimination they have faced on the basis of a protected characteristic, e.g. their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. We will put in place a range of actions to eliminate prejudice, unlawful discrimination and victimisation within the school community we serve and our workforce.

Northern Leaders Trust aims to meet its obligations under the public sector equality duty by having due regard to the need to:

• Eliminate discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act 2010.
• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
• Foster good relations across all characteristics – between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.

Objective 1

Review our risk assessments and reasonable adjustment agreement for all staff with disabilities by July, to meet their needs better and ensure that any disadvantages they experience are addressed.

We have chosen this objective in order to ensure trust and school risk assessments are up to date and take into account any additional issues caused by the covid-19 pandemic. We will work with staff to consider any reasonable adjustments required. We will monitor and report to the F& GP committee on an annual basis, numbers of staff with disabilities and % of adjustments requested that have been implemented.

Objective 2

Train all members of staff, trustees and governors involved in recruitment and selection on equal opportunities and non-discrimination by the beginning of the next academic year. Training evaluation data will show that 100% of those attending have a good understanding of the legal requirements.

We have chosen this objective as we are committed to ensuring our workforce have not only a good understanding of legal requirements in relation to equalities and diversity, but good practice and an awareness of the issues affecting our workforce and wider community.

We will look to ensure that this training remains part of our induction and deliver annual refreshers to all staff, governors and trustees.

Objective 3

Continue to guarantee a place on the short-list for all applicants who have identified that they meet the definition of a disability under the Equality Act 2010 where they have evidenced they meet all the essential criteria for the post.

We have chosen this objective as we are committed to ensuring that our workforce is representative of the wider community and that disability is not a barrier to employment within our trust. We will work with shortlisted candidates to identify any reasonable adjustments required and offer them where possible.

We will report to the F & GP committee in relation to the number of disabled applicants in line with Objective 1 above.

Objective 4

We will continue to conduct risk assessments on all staff who are at increased risk of susceptibility to covid-19 for reasons linked to health, ethnicity or age, both when appointed to a post within the trust as part of induction support, then on an ongoing basis either once a term, or when DfE/NHS guidance in relation to these groups of staff changes.

We have chosen this objective to ensure that we make reasonable adjustments as far as possible to reduce risks to these groups of staff.

Objective 5

Meet with the Student Council at least once per term to discuss issues around equality and specifically to ensure students have the necessary support and know who to see to address concerns around issues to do specifically with:

• Race and all forms of racial discrimination
• Gender equality
• Gender identity and associated issues
• Issues around LGBTQ
• All other issues which can lead to students feeling marginalised

We have chosen this objective to ensure that there is a regular forum to obtain and act on the views of our students. We will monitor these actions through student voice each term to ensure the concerns are acted upon. Students will be directed to their form tutors initially to raise concerns if they feel these issues are not being addressed following the raising of the issues with Student Council representatives.

You can view our Equality Duty Statement and Objectives here.

Cause for concern?

If you have concerns about the above, please talk to us. You can also find our Complaints procedures and Whistleblowing Policy on Our Policies page.