Welcome to the Equalities pages on EGfL.
News
New Migrant Children event
Event: Good Practice in Supporting Eastern European Migrant Children in Schools, 16th January 2009
See the poster for more details (PDF)
Departmental Impact Assessment guidance
Examples for checking the relevance of functions, policies and reports to equalities (Word)
School Improvement Planning
A wide range of resources is now available to help schools meet their equalities duties in terms of race, disability, gender, faith, age and sexual orientation. See the School Improvement Planning: Equalities Support and Information Sheet (Word).
New Report on Race Statistics in Scotland
With the lack of information on race and racism increasingly recognised, Glasgow Anti Racist Alliance (GARA) has launched its "State of the Nation - Race and Racism in Scotland 2008" report, a collation of statistics and data relating to Black/Minority Ethnic (BME) people in Scotland. The statistics have been gathered from a number of sources, including Scottish Government publications, academic research, and studies carried out by voluntary organisations.
A copy of the Race and Racism in Scotland report can be downloaded here.
New Ethnicity Classification
The Chief Statistician and the Registrar General for Scotland have published a report on Scotland's new official ethnicity classification. The new classification will:
- *extend the number of ethnic groups information is collected on from 14 to 21
- *build a more accurate picture of Scotland's population
- *identify discrimination when used with other census and survey questions
Ethnicity statistics are vital because Government and public authorities are encouraged to collect them to meet statutory obligations under race relations legislation for tackling discrimination and promoting equality. They are also used to inform resource allocation, policy formulation and service delivery and they help to provide a better understanding of Scotland's ethnic diversity.
More information on www.scotland.gov.uk
EU's holds first 'Roma summit'
The event, organised by EU Social Affairs Commissioner Vladimír Spidla, managed to attract a big audience but produced little in terms of policy initiatives.
East European workers face 'modern slavery' in old Europe
Migrant workers from the EU's Eastern member states face systematic discrimination when moving to work in 'old Europe', according to a new report presented yesterday (16 September) at the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels (CEPS).
European Day of People with Disabilities Conference - "Acting locally for a society for all"
1-2 December 2008
To mark the European Day of People with Disabilities, the European Commission organises a policy conference in the first week of December each year, in close cooperation with the European Disability Forum (EDF). The Conference will focus on how EU action/legislation reaches the local level and will provide examples of disability mainstreaming.
Read more about the conference
Survey: Anti-Jew and anti-Muslem prejudice growing in EU
A new poll conducted by the Pew Research Center reveals that hostile views towards Jews and Muslims are on the rise in Europe, even while fundamentalism and support for terrorism appear to be dwindling in the Muslim world.
Illustrations of Good Practice in Edinburgh Schools
These examples of good practice in dealing with Incidents of Bullying, Racism and Discrimination (Word) were taken directly from school incident returns for 06/07.
Support for school plans on equality and diversity
A short guide is available below to help you meet schools' legal duties on race, disability, gender, faith and sexual orientation.
School Improvement Planning: Equalities support and information sheet (Word) | (PDF version)
Action Page for Equality and Diversity (Word) | (PDF version)
Training is available on a whole-school basis (initially to secondary schools only) beginning in June 2008. To note your interest, please contact diana.dodd@edinburgh.gov.uk
Employment Target Figures
Did you know that the Children and Families Department has targets for improving the diversity of our workforce? See our latest Employment Figures update report (Word) or (PDF version) for details. Also see the Council's Equality and Diversity in Employment policy (Word) or (PDF version).
Asking about Ethnicity and Disability guidance
How to ask about Ethnicity and Disability (PDF, 65kB) - Guidance for staff when enrolling children and young people on how to ask questions about ethnicity and diversity.
Copies of this leaflet were also sent to all establishments in January. We hope you find it useful.
Breaking down the stereotypes: gender and achievement in schools
This new report (Word, 1.2MB) is available to download from the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.
Promoting equality in schools - resources
Visit the Centre for Education for Racial Equality in Scotland for some great new resources to promote equality in schools:
http://www.education.ed.ac.uk/ceres/Whatnew/Newprojectsdraft.html
Gender Equality Toolkit for Schools
A toolkit has been produced to help education staff to eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment and promote equality between women and men. Download it at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/08/30161011/1
Equalities Induction Pack
A pack to help all staff gain a basic minimum understanding of legislation, policy and good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity in the Children and Families department.