Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

View this document in Welsh

Department: Human Resources
Document Author: Catherine Luff
Job Title: Director of People
Date of Approval: 6/11/25
Review Date: November 2028
Version: 1

Policy Checklist:

Policy Inception Requirement	Yes / No / N/A	Supporting information
Has an Equality Impact Assessment been completed? See form below.	Yes
Has a Welsh Language Impact Assessment been completed? See form below.	Yes
Has a Data Protection Impact Assessment been considered with regards to this policy? If yes, please contact the Information Services Manager in order to complete a Data Protection Impact Assessment.	No
Has the review taken account of the latest Guidance/Legislation?	Yes
Is legal advice required? If yes, please ensure you have taken the necessary steps to secure the appropriate legal advice before proceeding further.	No
Is staff training required? If yes, please ensure that the necessary training is arranged through the Learning & Development Advisor.	Yes
Are there HR related issues that need to be considered? If yes, please contact the HR Manager to discuss further.	No
Are there financial issues? If yes, please contact the Finance Manager to discuss further.	No
The latest Policy Positioning Statement has been added to the start of the policy	Yes
For SLT use only:
Is this a new policy? If yes, SLT to complete the College Policy Approval Delegation checklist at the time of approval.	No
Approval level assigned:

Policy Positioning Statement

Our mission is simple – be all that you can be.

Bridgend College is a special place to learn and work. We want to create an inclusive environment which enables people to be innovative and passionate about what they do. We want to create inspirational opportunities which transform lives and celebrate the successes of every individual. We are committed to making decisions which are ethical and people-centred, for every person and in every interaction.

We know that the standards we walk past are the standards we accept, so by being a team player who is committed to our organisational values, we can ensure that everyone is ready to learn and work in an environment where they are respected and feel safe, to be all that they can be.

We want Bridgend College to be a place of sanctuary, providing a sense of belonging.

We recognise the significant impact of trauma on individuals’ lives and understand that a compassionate and understanding approach is essential to support our students and staff on their academic and personal journeys. We will do this by being calm, consistent and caring in our approach to communication and decision-making.

We want to be an anti-racist College. We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture where people are respectful and where this permeates all that we do. We want to develop a culture where people show up for one another with trust and integrity – a place of learning and work where people thrive.

As a place of education, we recognise our responsibility in developing the skills, knowledge and confidence of our students, staff and the communities we serve.

We know that we don’t always get things right, but we are committed to listening, learning and educating ourselves on our journey to becoming an extraordinary organisation.

We are committed to ensuring that course choices and offers are in the best educational interest of an individual learner, enabling them to both achieve and progress (in terms of personal skills but also social and academic development).

This policy applies to all applicants applying to or enrolling on a learning programme, irrespective of mode or location of study.

1. Purpose and Objectives:

We believe in the power of diverse perspectives. Our mission, Be all that you can be, is rooted in creating an inclusive environment where our people¹ feel seen, heard, and valued. We’re committed to fostering a culture where all individuals, regardless of their background, can thrive and achieve their full potential.

This policy applies to all members of the Bridgend College Group, including students, colleagues, Governors, contractors, agency workers, suppliers, associates and visitors.

We seek to be an equity, diversity and inclusion champion and leader in:

Ensuring Bridgend College Group is an anti-racist organisation;
Promoting equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging;
Challenging, preventing and eradicating discrimination;
Eliminating systemic barriers and providing an environment where all people can thrive;
Providing responsive and accessible services;
Promoting positive relations between people.

¹ For clarity, from this point on, if the document refers to our people, it is inclusive of our workforce and our learners, unless singularly stated.

2. Policy Details:

We are clear on our duties under the Equality Act 2010, and the Public Sector Equality Duty. This policy covers both the work we do with our students, and the internal procedures that govern how we function as an organisation. Throughout this policy the term ‘colleagues’ applies to paid colleagues, agency colleagues, external students on placement on our Campuses, contractors, interpreters, volunteers and the members of the Board. The term ‘individual/s’ applies to all colleagues, students, external contractors, agency workers, partners, suppliers, centres, customers, any associates, any subsidiaries or their employees or any other person associated with us.

2.1 Our commitments

We will provide services which are physically and digitally accessible for all customers, students, colleagues and stakeholders, removing any barriers that exist. This includes an accessibility by design approach where new building or refurbishment work is undertaken;
We will ensure a fair structure of policies and procedures to support our people in learning and working;
We will take positive steps to ensure that our people receive fair treatment, equality of opportunity, and are not discriminated against, either directly or indirectly, on the grounds of gender, gender reassignment, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity or race. Any breaches will be dealt with swiftly and effectively under the relevant process;
We will take a proactive approach in promoting the Welsh Language Standards and ensuring that Welsh language is treated no less favourably than English;
We will seek to attract and retain diverse people, and ensure that recruitment decisions are based on merit alone;
We will respect culture and needs and ensure that services are delivered appropriately to maximise participation by all;
We will create and maintain a positive environment where our people can be their true authentic selves and feel that they belong.
To create space which enables reflection and learning, rooted in a restorative and trauma informed approach, whilst ensuring that where behaviours fall below our expectation, they are robustly managed in accordance with relevant policies (e.g. discrimination).

3. Responsibilities (if applicable):

Bridgend College Group is responsible for ensuring appropriate equity policies, procedures and practices are in place and that they are effectively monitored and implemented.

Lead	Responsibility
The Principal	The Principal has overall responsibility for the implementation of this policy and is accountable to the Board of Governors.
Senior Leadership team	SLT has responsibility for oversight of the policy, Equality Action Plan, Anti-Racism Action plan, adherence to the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty, and all learner and people processes associated with it. Ensuring that an EDI accountability group has scrutiny and accountability for monitoring and improving equity, diversity and inclusion across the organisation.
Director of People	The DoP has responsibility for adhering to the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty, developing and reviewing this policy and all people processes associated with it
Line managers	To ensure they understand the policy and their roles within it; supporting colleagues in their learning and education around diverse topics, and addressing any culture or activity which is not in line with its principles.
Our workforce	All individuals have a responsibility to ensure this policy is actively implemented, and all conduct is in line with College values and behaviours. Colleagues should actively seek out learning and education around diverse topics, and report any behaviour which is contrary to the expectations.
Our learners	All individuals have a responsibility to be Ready, Respectful and Safe, and abide by the Citizenship Code, reporting any behaviour which is contrary to those expectations
Other stakeholders	All individuals are expected to act in accordance with this policy, ensuring a respectful environment.

4. Related Documents (if applicable):

Bridgend College Group’s other policies, in particular the Code of Conduct, Disciplinary and Grievance procedures and Bullying and Harassment Policy

Bridgend College’s Recruitment and Selection policy and procedures

Bridgend College’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan

Public Sector Equality Duty

Prevent Duty

Anti-racism Action Plan

Strategic Equity Action Plan

5. Document review:

November 2028

Equality Impact Assessment Form

Name of Policy/Procedure	Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policy
Policy Owner (to complete this EIA)	Catherine Luff
Aim(s) and Purpose of Policy	It explains why equality, diversity and inclusion are important to us, the basic principles we will follow and how we intend to monitor and achieve this.
Who does the policy affect?
Learners	✔
Staff	✔
General Public	✔

Equality characteristic	Positive impact	Reason/comment
Age	✔	By embedding equity, diversity and inclusion into all practices and actively working to ensure that all individuals, and those with whom we interact feel like they belong, the policy will have a positive impact on people with any singular or combination of characteristics. This policy will also be part of an active strategy to remove any systemic barriers.
Disability	✔	As above
Gender reassignment	✔	As above
Marriage and civil partnership	✔	As above
Pregnancy and maternity	✔	As above
Race	✔	As above
Religion or belief	✔	As above
Sex	✔	As above
Sexual Orientation	✔	As above

Date completed: August 2025
Signed by Manager completing the assessment: C Luff

Welsh Language Impact Assessment

Name of Policy/Procedure	Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policy
Policy Owner (to complete this EIA)	Catherine Luff
Aim(s) and Purpose of Policy	It explains why equality, diversity and inclusion are important to us, the basic principles we will follow and how we intend to monitor and achieve this.
Who does the policy affect?
Learners	✔
Staff	✔
General Public	✔

Welsh Language Standards

Number	Type	Standard	Positive (could benefit)	Negative (could impact)	No Impact
94	Policy Making standards	When you formulate a new policy, or review or revise an existing policy, you must consider what effects, if any (whether positive or adverse), the policy decision would have on — (a) opportunities for persons to use the Welsh language, and (b) treating the Welsh language no less favourably than the English language.

Action Plan

Actions should demonstrate steps to be taken to reduce or where possible, eliminate any negative impact on the Welsh Language.

Action	Who	By When	Success Measure (how will we know we have achieved the action)
Ensure that Welsh language and culture is fully included in College processes and procedures	All	By publish date	There will be no delay or detriment for Welsh speakers
Ensure that all individuals whereby Welsh is their preferred language, have the opportunity (at no detriment) to access any provision or service through the language of their choice	All	By publish date	There will be no delay or detriment for Welsh speakers
Welsh language will be an active part of the Equality plan for both colleagues and the support that is provided to students	HR	Currently in place	Outcomes will be achieved SLT will be assured of improved data EDI Steering Committee will have reassurance around key objectives being achieved PSED will be met Improved diversity data