Equal Opportunities Policy

University College Birmingham has a comprehensive Equality of Opportunity document (covering the Equal Opportunities, Race Equality, Gender Equality, Disability Equality Policy, Codes of Practice, and University College Birmingham Disability Statement) and Religion and Belief (including a lack of Belief) from which the following information is extracted. For a copy of the full document, please contact The Director of Quality Systems, located in Room 323 at Summer Row.

Introduction

University College Birmingham is located in a multiracial, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural city. University College Birmingham recognises that, within its local catchment areas and its national and international operating environments, there are people from a rich diversity of cultural backgrounds, with a range of differing abilities and previous educational experiences.

Reasons For A Written Policy

  • To ensure that all trustees, staff, students, users of University College Birmingham facilities and external partners are aware of their rights and responsibilities under the law, University College Birmingham's Equal Opportunities, Race Equality, Disability, and Religion and Belief (including a lack of Belief) policies and their role in policy implementation.
  • To publicise and clarify University College Birmingham’s policy to the wider community.

This policy applies to:

All persons associated with University College Birmingham including governors, staff, students and users of University College Birmingham services and facilities, contractors and service level agreements holders.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

University College Birmingham is committed to a Policy of Equal Opportunities. The aim of the Policy is to ensure that all students, employees, applicants and all those involved in its work, and other users of University College Birmingham facilities receive fair and equal treatment. University College Birmingham aims to provide a service that, in its teaching, administration and support, actively promotes Equality of Opportunity and freedom from discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, and sexual orientation (The Equality Act 2010, Section 4).

Equality Of Opportunity Policy

The Equality Act 2010 Public Sector Equality Duty and University College Birmingham

Section 149 (Equality Act 2010) introduces a new public sector equality duty - in force from 6 April 2011 and covers the protected characteristics – marriage and civil partnership is not covered by all of the aims.

University College Birmingham continues to have due regard to the need to:

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

University Disability Policy Statement

University College Birmingham is committed to a Policy of Disability Equality. The aim of the Policy is to ensure that all students, employees, applicants, all those involved in its work and other users of University College Birmingham facilities receive fair and equal treatment.

University College Birmingham recognises the importance of providing all of our students with high quality tuition and support and providing staff with appropriate levels of resourcing to meet their individual needs. You should expect to study in an environment that positively encourages equality of opportunity and challenges discrimination in any form.

The University takes great care to support your learning needs and has staff members who are qualified and experienced in supporting students’ needs, including physical disabilities, visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech difficulties, learning difficulties e.g. dyslexia, and psychological needs.

Students’ suggestions and ideas are encouraged and taken into consideration in the promotion of disability equality.

Disability Statement

Religion, Belief And Non-Belief Policy Statement

University College Birmingham values the diversity of its community, and is committed to providing an inclusive learning and working environment where the cultural, religious and non-religious beliefs of all are respected. It seeks to ensure that:

  • Recruitment and selection is based entirely on relevant criteria, which do not include religious belief or non-belief (except in the case of a genuine occupational qualification)
  • Members of any religion or none are treated with equal dignity and respect
  • Where reasonably practicable, appropriate services and facilities are provided to meet the cultural and religious beliefs of staff and students

University College Birmingham recognises that the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religions is absolute, but also recognises that the right to express belief is qualified by the need to protect the rights and freedoms of others. University College Birmingham as an institution does not have any religious affiliation and does not endorse any particular denomination or faith.

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