Equality & Diversity Policy

Equality & Diversity Policy
Tel: 01788 700881

Equality and Diversity Policy

Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd is a progressive training organisation providing mandatory training to a range of organisations.

We offer a range of first aid qualifications through Qualifications Network UK.

At Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd., we are committed to providing high-quality training and qualifications and to ensuring that equality of opportunity underpins all aspects of our work.

This policy relates to our commitment to equality and diversity in all aspects of our work.

All appeals/complaints must be raised directly with Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd.

We have outlined our equality and diversity policy statement below.

Policy Statement

Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd acknowledges its responsibility to eliminate unlawful discrimination, challenge discriminatory practices, and promote equality of opportunity and diversity in all aspects of its work as an employer and as a provider of training and consultancy.

We at Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd are committed to promoting equal opportunity and to adopting proactive measures to address unlawful discrimination in the execution of our services.

The management team at Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd actively ensures equality of opportunity in our policies, operations, service delivery, compliance with UK regulations, and employment practices.

Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd commits to fostering a working environment that is free from harassment, intimidation, victimisation, or discrimination based on nationality, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or any other characteristic.

All individuals will be treated with dignity and respect and valued for who they are and for their contributions.

All directors and staff at Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd actively ensure that they practice the Equality and Diversity Policy and give proper consideration to the need to:

Challenge all forms of discrimination.
Eliminate unlawful discrimination.
Promote equality of opportunity.

The Managing Director at Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd will conduct an annual review of its Equality and Diversity Policy.

Our company actively seeks feedback from staff, clients, and students through various opportunities:

Recruitment and Selection
Initial Assessment
Induction
Assessment and Planning
Learner Reviews
Internal Verification
External Verification
Examinations
Exit Interviews

The Managing Director will incorporate all feedback into the annual review of our policies.

Scope of Policy

We at Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd will adhere to all relevant Statutory Legislation and the Code of Practice as per Appendix 1.

Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd commits to promoting equal opportunities by actively identifying and combating all forms of discrimination.

We ensure that no potential or existing staff members, clients, or students face discrimination based on the four main types:

direct discrimination,
indirect discrimination,
harassment,
and victimisation.

Direct discrimination occurs when a person treats another person less favorably due to characteristics such as race, gender, sexuality, or disability.

Indirect discrimination occurs when someone creates a condition, term of employment, or requirement for service delivery that lacks justification and, in practice, prevents certain groups of people from accessing a service.

Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd will not tolerate any form of harassment when offensive or intimidating behaviour, or encouraging or allowing other people to do so, aims to humiliate, undermine, or injure its target, causing any physical or mental harm.

The senior management team at Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd will not tolerate any form of Victimisation, which means treating somebody less favourably than others because they tried to make a discrimination complaint.

The management team at Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd will ensure that we comply with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 to provide all relevant parties with the protection they require.

This legislation is

“An Act to protect individuals who make certain disclosures of information in the public interest; to allow such individuals to bring action in respect of victimisation; and for connected purposes”

Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd recognises that the implementation of the Equal Opportunity Policy is vital to its development and continuing success, and the directors will take full and frank responsibility for ensuring effective implementation of the policy and code of practice.

We will ensure that all individuals and organisations that provide services for or on behalf of Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd. are aware of and fully comply with our commitment to equality of opportunity.

Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd will investigate any alleged breach of this policy by directors, staff, clients, or students.

If we uphold the allegation, we will take action, which may lead to disciplinary proceedings against the directors, staff, clients, or students, as outlined in our Maladministration and Malpractice Policy.

Aims of the Policy

To comply with the general and specific duties of all UK Equal Opportunities Legislation.
To fulfil our statutory obligation to raise awareness of the policy to all staff, clients, and students.
We will inform all potential, new, and existing staff, clients, and students about the policy and its implications.
All students will be issued a copy of the policy upon registration, and all job applicants will receive it when applying for a position with us.
To ensure that all students have access to a fair and well-managed examination and assessment process, in accordance with both Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd. and Qualifications Network UK guidelines for maladministration and malpractice.

Publishing Arrangements

Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd will ensure the policy statement is displayed and distributed throughout our business in a variety of media, including but not limited to paper copies issued at registration.

The policy will be published online on the company’s website.

Organisation, Consultation and Participation

As employers, the Directors of Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd. have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring compliance with equal opportunity legislation.

The Directors shall carry out an annual review of the policies in use, ensuring they are up to date and reflect current good practice and legislation.

We will consult as widely as possible with all stakeholders, i.e., staff, training centres, students, and any other relevant parties.

Equal Opportunities: Functional Responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for:

Personnel-related policies and strategies.
Developing and delivering a programme of (or arranging delivery of) staff development in all aspects of diversity and equality of opportunity matters.

Advising and supporting staff to identify and disseminate good equal opportunity practice, particularly in relation to equal treatment in all aspects of the staff, client and student experience.

Ensuring that all HR policies and procedures meet legal and ethical standards in relation to equal opportunity.
Advising staff on procedures in relation to the Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd Equal Opportunities Policy.

Making an Equal Opportunities Complaint

An employee or service user who feels they have not been treated fairly within the scope of this policy should raise the matter through the Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd Grievance and Disciplinary Procedure.

Dealing with discrimination and harassment as a Training Provider

As a Training provider, Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd complies with anti-discrimination and human rights legislation and promotes candidates’ well-being.

Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd actively seek to eliminate all forms of discrimination and harassment, whether towards candidates or staff.

We will use the following model for challenging discrimination:

Recognising individualism and value differences.
Breaking down stereotypes.
Challenging discrimination.
Role modelling appropriate behaviour.

We handle this primarily through our disciplinary policy, but we always prioritise the victim’s safety, well-being, and support needs.

Legal responsibility

Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd. will comply with its legal responsibility to keep a written record of any racist incident that occurs on our premises or at any satellite office.

Specific racist incidents may also be criminal offences in England and Wales under the Crime & Disorder Act 1998. These include:

i) Racially aggravated assaults, including common assault, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, and wounding.
ii) Racially aggravated criminal damage, including racist graffiti, damage to property, and arson (lighting fires).

iii) Racially aggravated public order/harassment, including engaging in behaviour that causes (or is likely to cause) harassment, distress, or fear of violence.

The police investigate and handle any racist incidents involving potential criminal offences, not Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd.

We will report all racist incidents of this kind to the police as soon as possible.

Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd. will also report the incident to the police if asked to do so by the victim or their parent.

In addition to the general principles for dealing with discrimination or harassment, Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd. will adhere to the specific rules governing sexual harassment and discrimination.

If an employee of Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd, or another professional in a position of authority, commits an offence, we should generally report the incident to the police as a criminal matter.

Alternatively, we may handle it as a disciplinary issue in accordance with Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd’s Disciplinary Procedure.

APPENDIX 1

The relevant Acts of Parliament relating to equal opportunities policy are:

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
The Public Order Act 1986.
Employment Act 1989.
Human Rights Act 1998.
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.
Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Part-Time Worker Regulations 2000.
The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.
The Gender Recognition Act 2004.
Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006.
Equality Act 2010

In addition, Warwickshire First Aid Training Ltd will comply with the following codes of practice relating to equal opportunities, including guidance available from: