Equality and Diversity
West Lothian College is committed to advancing equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion in all activities and provide a work, learning and teaching environment free from discrimination and unfair treatment.
Our Statement of Inclusivity
West Lothian College is an inclusive organisation and all policies, procedures, strategies, plans, provisions, criteria, functions, practices and activities, including decisions and the delivery of services are assessed to consider the impact on staff and students covered by the Equalities Act 2010 by the completion of an Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA).
Our Public Sector Duty under the Equalities Act 2010
As a public institution we are required under the Equalities Act to give due regard to the need to:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other prohibited conduct.
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not.
- Foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not.
Our Commitments
We are committed to addressing any form of discrimination or unfair practices, advance equality, and foster good relations among groups and persons who possess a protected characteristic including unfair practices based on national origin or migrant status, socio-economic background, trade union membership, or family circumstances.
Protected characteristics are described under the Act as; age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.
Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy and Equality Outcome Action Plan 2021 outlines how we will meet our General and Public Sector Equality Duties. The Equality Mainstreaming Report provides an account on progress made against our actions. Additional documents that support Equality are:
Corporate Parenting Plan Update 2021
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy 2021
British Sign Language Plan Video
Updating of the Gender Action Plan is still on hold as per instruction from the Scottish Funding Council. We continue to progress the outcomes as part of our Public Sector Equality Duties.
Joint Commitment on Race Equality in Employment
West Lothian College accepts the recommendations of the Public Sector Leadership Summit on Race Equality in Employment and are committed to taking them forward.
Support for Students
The college is committed to ensuring that every student who applies and enrols with us has a good experience throughout their college life. The college has a robust Student Support department and also ensures that students with disabilities receive all the support required.
Student Experience is important to us
Overcoming all barriers and obstacles: A student’s experience: One of our students, Jeanette (Jinty), who is also the current Student President, shares her experience through college and how she overcame all the challenges thrown at her including dealing with dyslexia, and how college has helped change her life.
Her amazing story can be found here.
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Internal Groups
Equalities and Widening Access Committee
Diversity, Inclusion, Values & Equalities DIVE IN
Useful Information
SAMH for Scotland Mental Health
Supporting Young Carers in Education
Affiliations with External Groups
National Union for Students (NUS)
See Me – End mental health discrimination