Further sources of information
Further and higher education institutions may find the following websites useful when seeking to understand and meet their responsibilities to promote equality and diversity and tackle discrimination.
Please note that some of the government websites contain a disclaimer reflecting the recent change of administration. However, the information contained within continues to reflect the current legal position.
Equality and Human Rights Commission:
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain. It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights.
Website: www.equalityhumanrights.com
Acas – The Independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service
Acas aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. It provides impartial advice, training, information and a range of problem resolution services.
Telephone: 0845 747 4747
Website: www.acas.org.uk
The Alliance for Inclusive Education (Allfie)
Allfie is a national network led by disabled people to promote inclusive education for all students. It provides a range of resources and training for educators and parents.
Telephone: 020 7737 6030
Email: info@allfie.org.uk
Web: www.allfie.org.uk
Association of College and School Leaders (ACSL)
The ACSL is the professional association and trade union for secondary school and college leaders.
Telephone: 0116 299 1122
Email: info@ascl.org.uk
Website: www.ascl.org.uk
Black Training & Enterprise Group (BTEG)
BTEG is a national charity set up to support and provide a voice for black and minority ethnic training providers. It also runs the Centre for Educational Success which aims to raise and improve the educational attainment of children and young people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds.
Telephone: 020 7843 6110
Email: info@bteg.co.uk
Website: www.bteg.co.uk
Board of Deputies of British Jews
The Board of Deputies of British Jews exists to protect and defend the religious rights and civil liberties of British Jewry. As the community’s democratically elected cross-communal organisation, the Board engages with Government, media and wider society, providing a unique means through which all British Jews can be heard and represented.
Telephone: 020 7543 5400
Email: info@bod.org.uk
Website: www.bod.org.uk
British Humanist Association (BHA)
The BHA is a national charity supporting and representing non-religious people who seek to lead ethical lives. They carry out a range of activities including campaigns, lobbying and briefing government. They also provide information to schools to support education about humanism, and on the inclusion of non-religious pupils and their parents in schools and colleges.
Telephone: 020 7079 3580
Email: info@humanism.org.uk
Website: www.humanism.org.uk
Changing Faces
Changing Faces is a UK charity that supports and represents people who have disfigurements of the face or body from any cause. They offer expert advice, resources and training programmes in education to enable teachers to understand and respond to the challenges facing children and young people with disfigurements.
Telephone: 0845 4500 275
Email: info@changingfaces.org.uk
Website: www.changingfaces.org.uk
Citizens Advice
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by campaigning and influencing policymakers.
Telephone: 020 7833 2181 (admin only, no advice available on this number)
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
The Council for Disabled Children (CDC)
The Council for Disabled Children provides an information service to parents and professionals on the needs of disabled pre-school children, pupils and students.
Telephone: 020 7843 1900
Email: cdc@ncb.org.uk
Website: www.ncb.org.uk/cdc
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
An important source of government information for universities and other education providers.
Website: www.bis.gov.uk
Department for Education
Information on the main standards schools are required to follow, as well as guidance on complex issues.
Website: www.education.gov.uk
Directgov
Directgov is the UK government’s digital service for people in England and Wales. It delivers information and practical advice about public services, bringing them all together in one place.
Website: www.direct.gov.uk
Education Unions
A comprehensive list of education unions can be found at:
www.educationalresources.co.uk
Estyn
Estyn is the education and training inspectorate for Wales.
Telephone: 029 2044 6446
Email: enquiries@estyn.gov.uk
Website: www.estyn.gov.uk
Equality Challenge Unit (ECU)
ECU supports the higher education sector to realise the potential of all staff and students, whatever their race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion and belief, or age. ECU works in partnership with HEIs and sector organisations, undertaking projects and research and providing practical support and guidance.
Telephone: 020 7438 1010
Email: info@ecu.ac.uk
Website: www.ecu.ac.uk
Fawcett Society
Fawcett is the UK’s leading campaign for equality between women and men. They campaign on women’s representation in politics and public life; pay, pensions and poverty; valuing caring work, and the treatment of women in the justice system.
Telephone: 020 7253 2598
Website: www.fawcettsociety.org.uk
Gender Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES)
GIRES provides a wide range of information and training for trans people, their families and professionals, including a Home Office-funded toolkit for education professionals to combat transphobic bullying.
Telephone: 01372 801 554
Email: info@gires.org.uk
Website: www.gires.org.uk
Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
HEFCE distributes public money for teaching and research to universities and colleges and aims to promote high-quality education and research. HEFCE also plays a key role in ensuring accountability and promoting good practice. This includes work to widen participation of under-represented groups in higher education, including the Aimhigher programme.
Telephone: 0117 931 7317
Email: hefce@hefce.ac.uk
Website: www.hefce.ac.uk
HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE)
HMIE is the education and training inspectorate for Scotland.
Telephone: 01506 600200
Textphone: 01506 600236
Website: www.hmie.gov.uk
Irish Travellers Movement in Britain (ITMB)
The ITMB seeks to raise the profile of Irish Travellers in Britain and increase their say in decision-making processes and forums. The ITMB seeks to challenge discrimination and develop national policies that ensure the inclusion of Irish Travellers in all levels of society.
Telephone: 020 7607 2002
Email: info@irishtraveller.org.uk
Website: www.irishtraveller.org.uk
Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS)
LSIS is the sector-owned body that aims to accelerate the drive for excellence in the learning and skills sector, building the sector’s own capacity to design, commission and deliver improvement and strategic change. They are responsible for developing and providing resources that help colleges and providers implement initiatives and improve quality.
Telephone: 024 7662 7900
Email: enquiries@lsis.org.uk
Website: www.lsis.org.uk
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB)
The MCB is a charity set up to promote cooperation, consensus and unity on Muslim affairs in the UK. It aims to promote greater and more effective participation from the Muslim community at all levels of the education system. The MCB undertakes campaigning and lobbying and provides advice on educational issues affecting Muslim pupils and students.
Telephone: 0845 26 26 786
Email: admin@mcb.org.uk
Website: www.mcb.org.uk
National Aids Trust (NAT)
The NAT is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to transforming society’s response to HIV. It has produced a practical resource for teachers providing suggestions on how to integrate learning about HIV into the national curriculum for different subjects within key stages three and four.
Telephone: 020 7814 6767
Email: info@nat.org.uk
Website: www.nat.org.uk
National Bureau for Students with Disabilities: Skill
Skill is a national charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults with any kind of impairment in post-16 education, training and employment.
England and Wales
Telephone and textphone: 020 7450 0620
Email: skill@skill.org.uk
Website: www.skill.org.uk
Scotland
Telephone and textphone: 0131 475 2348
Email: admin@skillscotland.org.uk
Website: www.skill.org.uk
Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted)
Ofsted is the education and training inspectorate for England and regulates those providing education and skills for learners of all ages.
Telephone: 0300 123 4234
Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk
Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA)
QCDA is the government agency responsible for developing the curriculum, improving and delivering assessments, and reviewing and reforming qualifications.
Telephone: 0300 303 3010
Textphone: 0300 303 3012
Email: info@qcda.gov.uk
Website: www.qcda.gov.uk
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)
QAA is an independent body funded by subscriptions from universities and colleges and through contracts with the higher education funding bodies. It carries out external quality assurance in universities and offers guidance on maintaining and improving quality assurance processes.
Telephone: 01452 557000
Email: comms@qaa.ac.uk
Website: www.qaa.ac.uk
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
RNIB is the UK’s leading charity offering information, support and advice to almost two million people with sight loss. They campaign to eliminate avoidable sight loss and support research into sight loss and eye health issues.
Telephone: 020 7388 1266
Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk
Website: www.rnib.org.uk
Scope
Scope is a charity that supports disabled people and their families, and works to ensure high-quality education and support for all children and young people with cerebral palsy and complex needs. Scope has produced a range of training materials to encourage inclusion in all educational settings.
Telephone: 0808 800 3333
Email: response@scope.org.uk
Website: www.scope.org.uk
Scottish Education and Training
Scottish Government site looking at all aspects of education and training in Scotland.
Website: www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education
Skills Funding Agency (SFA)
The SFA is one of the successor agencies to the Learning and Skills Council, and is responsible for all government-funded post-19 education and training.
Telephone: 0845 377 5000
Email: info@skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk
Website: //skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/
Stonewall
Stonewall is the UK’s leading lesbian, gay and bisexual charity and carries out campaigning, lobbying and research work as well as providing a free information service for individuals, organisations and employers. It offers a range of resources including information for primary and secondary school teachers, youth workers, parents, local authorities and young people on homophobic bullying.
Telephone: 0800 050 2020
Email: info@stonewall.org.uk
Website: www.stonewall.org.uk
The UKRC
The UKRC is the government’s lead organisation for the provision of advice, services and policy consultation regarding the under-representation of women in science, engineering, technology and the built environment (SET). It works with a range of organisations including education institutions.
Telephone: 01274 436485
Website: www.theukrc.org
Women’s National Commission (WNC)
The WNC is the official and independent advisory body giving the views of women to the UK government. It is an umbrella organisation representing women and women’s organisations in the UK to ensure women’s views are taken into account by the government and are heard in public debate.
Telephone: 0303 444 4009
Email: wnc@communities.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.thewnc.org.uk
Young People’s Learning Agency (YPLA)
The YPLA is one of the successor agencies to the Learning and Skills Council. It provides financial support to young learners; funds academies, general FE and sixth form colleges, and other 16-19 providers; and supports local authorities to commission suitable education and training opportunities for all 16-19 year olds.
Telephone: 0845 337 2000
Email: enquiries@ypla.gov.uk
Web: www.ypla.gov.uk
Please note: These organisations are those which the Commission is aware of as being relevant contacts for inclusion in this guidance. It is not a definitive list. Please contact us if you know of other organisations which should also be included.
Last Updated: 11 Sep 2015