Equality and Diversity

Equality and Diversity in our Learning Community

Belfast Metropolitan College believes that everyone has a right to study in a harmonious welcoming environment. We are committed to creating and ensuring an atmosphere where learners, customers, staff, governors and other stakeholders celebrate equality and diversity in all activities.

We respect all our students, staff and service users, and we celebrate our similarities and value our differences. We seek to provide a supportive learning setting which demonstrates respect for and acceptance of difference.

To this end, we do not tolerate any form of discrimination, bullying or harassment. We will ensure, to the best of our ability, that learners, customers, staff, governors and stakeholders are not discriminated against either directly or indirectly. The College deals with bullying and harassment issues through our Student Code of Conduct. We emphasise our commitment to equality of opportunity through our Equal Opportunities Policy for Students and Equal Opportunities Policy for staff.

We value everyone as an individual and want to prepare our students for work in a diverse community. We therefore seek to promote a welcoming environment which accepts and understands difference in terms of our genetic make-up, culture and tradition. We have developed a Dress Code Policy for students to help reinforce the importance of a mutually supportive learning and working environment.

We also have legal obligations and to this end staff in our Corporate Development Department advise on such issues. One of our key pieces of legislation is Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 which places a duty on all of us to promote equality of opportunity and good relations. Nine categories of difference are specified in this legislation: age, gender, religious belief, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, political opinion, between persons with or without dependents or with or without a disability. We have produced a suite of documents to meet these legal obligations. One of the key equality documents is the College’s Equality Scheme. This Scheme was approved by the Equality Commission in January 2012. For ease of reference we have developed an Equality Scheme Information Leaflet.

Each year, the College submits a renew of its process in relation to the relevant equality legislation to the Equality Commission by August 31 each year. To view the latest return please click here.

A person can make a complaint to the college on an equality related matter by way of Chapter 8 of our Equality Scheme if there is a belief that he or she may have been directly affected by our alleged failure to comply with our equality scheme. Should any concerns arise, contact the Corporate Compliance Officer – contact details below.

The College also has a legal obligation under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to provide a Disability Action Plan. Under the Special Education Needs and Disability (NI) Order 2005 we have established a Centre for Inclusive Learning who identify the support needs of students with a disability who require additional assistance.

We have put in place confidential disclosure procedures for students who are or who have been in care, students who are transgender and students who have a criminal conviction, to ensure that they can advise us of their specific circumstances and be assured that they can avail of additional support systems as required. Please click here for further information. 

Our information leaflet on Promoting Equality and Diversity in Belfast Metropolitan College is also a useful source of information.

Further advice on equality and diversity can be provided by contacting:

Corporate Compliance Officer
Corporate Development
Belfast Metropolitan College
Castlereagh Campus
Montgomery Road
Belfast
BT6 9JD

Tel: 028 9026 5455

Email: dataprotection[AT]belfastmet[DOT]ac[DOT]uk

Textphone: 028 9026 5126

Equality Screening

As part of our drive to promote equality of opportunity and good relations, we use a process known as equality screening. This helps us identify policy decisions which could adversely impact people in any of the nine categories of difference identified by s75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998: age, gender, religious belief, sexual orientation, ethnicity, marital status, political opinion, people with or without a disability and people with or without dependants. To access policy decisions which have been equality screened by the College and to see the outcome of that screening exercise, please see below:

Equality Impact Assessment

Certain policies may require further analysis. This process is known as an equality impact assessment. This is a thorough and systematic analysis of a policy decision, whether that policy is formal or informal, to determine the extent of any impact of a policy upon the Section 75 categories (stated above) and to determine if the impact is an adverse one. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate the likely positive outcomes of a policy and to seek ways to more effectively promote equality of opportunity and good relations. 

Consultation

We recognise the importance of consultation in all aspects of the implementation of our statutory equality duties. We have already consulted on our Equality Scheme and will continue to seek views on equality impact assessments and other matters determined by the College to be relevant to the Section 75 statutory duties. We also advise consultees on a quarterly basis of all policies which have been equality screened. We make all relevant information available to consultees in appropriate formats to ensure meaningful consultation. If you require information in an alternative format, please contact Corporate Compliance Officer on 028 9026 5455, by textphone on 028 9026 5126 or by e-mail on dataprotection[AT]belfastmet[DOT]ac[DOT]uk.

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