Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy
Building It Better NI is committed to creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment where people can take part in our courses and programmes without unfair discrimination or unnecessary barriers.
Our Commitment
Building It Better NI is committed to promoting equality, valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment for people participating in our courses, workshops and commissioned programmes.
We aim to treat people fairly, respectfully and with dignity, and to avoid unlawful discrimination, harassment or victimisation.
We recognise that people have different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and needs, and that these differences can strengthen the learning environment.
Scope
This policy applies to participants, prospective participants, staff, tutors, contractors and anyone acting on behalf of Building It Better NI.
It applies to public courses, commissioned programmes, customer service, booking processes, online services and other activities delivered by Building It Better NI.
Equality and Non-Discrimination
Building It Better NI will seek to provide its services fairly and without unlawful discrimination.
Relevant equality protections in Northern Ireland may relate to characteristics including:
- sex;
- disability;
- race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origin;
- religious belief;
- political opinion;
- sexual orientation;
- age in areas where age discrimination law applies;
- marital or civil partnership status where relevant;
- pregnancy or maternity where relevant; and
- other characteristics protected by applicable law.
We also aim to treat people fairly where a particular characteristic may not fall within a specific legal protection applicable to the circumstances.
Inclusive Learning Environment
Building It Better NI aims to provide a learning environment in which participants feel able to ask questions, learn practical skills and participate without embarrassment, intimidation or unnecessary barriers.
Tutors are expected to communicate respectfully and avoid assumptions about a participant’s knowledge, abilities, background or experience.
Participants are also expected to treat tutors and other participants respectfully.
Disability and Reasonable Adjustments
Building It Better NI recognises that disabled participants may experience barriers when accessing practical training or using our services.
We encourage anyone who requires an adjustment or additional support to contact us before attending wherever possible.
We will consider reasonable adjustments and practical changes that may help a participant access or take part in a course, while ensuring that essential health and safety requirements can still be met.
Adjustments will be considered on an individual basis because the appropriate solution will depend on the person’s needs, the activity and the venue.
Access to Courses
We aim to provide clear and accessible information about our courses, including the nature of the activities involved and any important practical or safety requirements.
Where a participant tells us about an accessibility requirement or additional need, we will consider what reasonable steps can be taken to support participation.
There may occasionally be circumstances in which a particular adjustment cannot safely or reasonably be made. Where this happens, we will explain the position and, where possible, consider alternative arrangements.
Women-Focused Training
Building It Better NI was developed to help increase confidence and access to practical skills, particularly for women who may historically have had fewer opportunities or felt less confident accessing practical DIY and maintenance training.
Where a programme or course has eligibility requirements connected to its purpose, funding or commissioning arrangements, those requirements will be communicated clearly.
Any eligibility criteria will be considered carefully and applied consistently.
Harassment, Bullying and Inappropriate Behaviour
Building It Better NI does not accept bullying, harassment, intimidation or abusive behaviour during its courses or activities.
This includes conduct directed at a person because of their background, identity, disability, beliefs or other personal characteristic.
Tutors may intervene where behaviour is inappropriate or disruptive, and Building It Better NI reserves the right to ask someone to leave an activity where their conduct presents a serious problem or risk to others.
Recruitment and Working Relationships
Where Building It Better NI recruits staff, tutors or contractors, decisions should be based on relevant skills, experience, suitability and the requirements of the role.
Recruitment and working arrangements should be conducted fairly and without unlawful discrimination.
Reasonable adjustments will be considered for disabled applicants and workers where required and appropriate.
Commissioned Programmes
Building It Better NI works with councils, community organisations and other organisations to deliver commissioned training programmes.
Where a commissioning organisation has relevant equality, accessibility or participation requirements, these will be considered as part of programme planning.
Eligibility requirements associated with a particular funded programme will be communicated clearly to participants.
Communication and Respect
Staff and tutors are expected to communicate professionally and respectfully with participants, customers, partner organisations and colleagues.
We aim to use inclusive and respectful language and to respond appropriately where someone tells us that a particular communication method or format creates a barrier for them.
Raising a Concern
Anyone who believes they have been treated unfairly, discriminated against or excluded unnecessarily by Building It Better NI is encouraged to tell us.
Concerns can be raised through our Feedback & Complaints process.
Give Feedback or Make a ComplaintConcerns will be considered seriously and handled sensitively and appropriately.
No Victimisation
A person should not be treated adversely merely because they have raised a genuine equality concern, made a complaint or supported another person in raising a concern.
Building It Better NI expects concerns to be raised honestly and respectfully.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Information relating to an equality, accessibility or discrimination concern will be handled sensitively.
Personal information will only be shared where appropriate and in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable data-protection requirements.
Continuous Improvement
Building It Better NI recognises that equality, accessibility and inclusion require ongoing attention.
We may use participant feedback, complaints, accessibility requests and experience from delivering our programmes to improve how our services are designed and delivered.
Review of This Policy
This policy will be reviewed periodically and where there are significant changes to Building It Better NI’s services, relevant equality requirements or our working practices.