Implementing Diversity- Areas of Training

The current political trend has led to organisations taking responsibility in ensuring that the policies and practices are maintained within the standards as required by the Council for Racial Equality (CRE) and other statutory bodies. Further, the legislation amendments (Race Relations and Disability Discrimination Act) and recommendations from the Macpherson report indicate that a watershed effect is taking place where organisations are taking a more strategic long term view to ensure an anti discriminatory and an anti oppressive practice.

The challenge is to find effective ways to convey that the spirit of diversity is an asset, providing a richer environment of ideas and views. How can the Macpherson Report and other legislations influence organisations to help tackle inequality, disadvantage and discrimination?

In view of the above concept, the following areas of training are being provided. This is organised in such a way where learning does occur without the participants feeling oppressed or in fear. There is a clear indication participants attend with a degree of anxiety, either due to a bad training experienced in the 1980s or that they fear that they may 'get picked' on and be accused of being discriminatory. Such situations are dealt with sensitivity and on occasions challenged without the group feeling threatened. Parallel to this, due to the political climate that we live in and the changing image of diversity, the knowledge base with the current trends and new legislation has been updated on a regular basis.

Courses:

• Valuing Diversity
• Managing Diversity
• Legislation Update
• Race Relations Amendment Act and Equality Impact Assessment
• Challenging Discrimination
• White Managers managing Black Staff
• Black Workers in a White organisation
• Assertiveness Training
• Women's Development Programmes
• Update on the Disability Discrimination Act
• Harassment Training
• Good Practice in the use of Interpreters
• Sexuality and its implications for clients with learning disability

Working with Diversity - Two day course that focuses on values, attitudes, beliefs and how this impacts on the day to day work practice

Managing Diversity - Two day course for Managers on exploring the policies and practices, linking this to managing in an anti discriminatory, dealing with discrimination.

Legislation update - one day workshop

Race Relations Amendment Act/ Equality Impact Assessment - Half day workshop - Its meaning and implications for the organisation

Challenging Discrimination - One-day workshop, exploring methods and practices and how to challenge effectively Also examines the implications of not challenging from an individual perspective and from an organisational standard

White Manager managing Black staff - Two day course - How to manage effectively, the programme would take into account management styles, management theory and link this into 'valuing diversity.

Black Workers in a White Organisation - Four day course- an opportunity to define how needs can be met, develop strategies to deal with issues of discrimination and link this into organisational culture and team culture.

Assertiveness Training for Black Workers - Three-day course, exploring assertive behaviour, defining non-assertive behaviour, saying no, dealing with discrimination assertively, being aware of rights and responsibilities.

Team Building Days with a remit on exploring and promoting anti-discriminatory practice. The session would focus on organisational values, linked to the policies, team values and individual values

Anti Discrimination Practice Legislation - Current update to the legislation on Sex Discrimination Act, Race Relations Act and Disability Act, Sexual Orientation Act, Religious Discrimination Act; linking this into the format of good practice.

Update on the Disability Discrimination Act - input on reasonable adjustments, expectations from organisations. Law Update

How to deal with allegations of racial and sexual harassment at work - A two day course for managers in handling a complaint before it needs to reach a formal investigative stage. Will explore definitions of harassment and the relevant action that can be taken.

Good practice in the use of interpreters. One day course, open to staff who need to use interpreters as part of their work practice.

Sexuality and its implications for clients with learning disability - Three-day course that explore the values and attitudes around sexuality. Part of the programme examines the concept of good practice, particularly in relation to the clients' ability to give consent.