Category: Voice and influence
People, policies and systems can hold unconscious bias, whether they mean to or not, and they can also reinforce inequalities, prejudice and discrimination. It's more important than ever that we look at ways to make our organisations fairer, and we look at our own behaviour to make sure we are inclusive. This course connects our individual responsibility to challenge inequality and prejudice to the role of organisations and wider systems. It’s not about adding a subtle equality, diversity and inclusion policy (EDI) to the list of governance documents, but properly applying the principles of EDI throughout.
Full details
Tuesday 15 June 2021 - 1:30pm-5pm
What is this course about?
This course builds from personal choices and links to how people work via organisations to make social change.
When organisations are ineffective in their approach to EDI, the impact can be experienced by service users, staff and funders. We’ll consider some real examples of where this has happened, and identify from them some of the positive actions that can be put in place to improve outcomes.
We’ll also explore how policies and systems can be designed to help overcome the inevitable gaps in individual awareness that can lead to unintentional barriers to inclusion.
On a personal level, critics have questioned whether there is real appetite for meaningful change, not least because it involves people with power giving it up. However, organisations already operate in a clearer legal and social context that gives them practical tools to improve equality and inclusion practice. These include targeted training, effective policies and procedures, workplace culture and role models of fair practice.
What will you learn?
This course will help you to:
- Increase your understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion, and challenge your assumptions.
- Take practical steps to address the ways that unconscious bias, unintentional prejudice and other inequalities may affect you and your work.
- Find ways to make your organisation a more inclusive place to work.
- Understand relevant legislation.
- Learn the principles of Equality Impact Assessments (EIA) and how to use them.
- Identify practices that create and promote equality, and how organisations can contribute to wider change.
- Having constructive conversations and increasing awareness of our individual biases.
Who is this course for?
Anyone that wants to consider EDI in their work, whether you're a trustee, manager, staff member or volunteer, and play a positive part in challenging inequalities, prejudice and discrimination.
Price: £94, around 40% off for Voscur Full Members on our half day courses; 20% off for Voscur Affiliates. Become a member today.
Full members: £55
Affiliates: £77
Become a member today
What else do you need to know?
Savita, our trainer, has over 30 years' experience as a consultant and employee. She also has more than 22 years’ experience as a volunteer in non-profits with a focus on tackling domestic violence, women and children’s emotional health and well-being, equalities, and diversity. Savita has built three charities from scratch and held interim management roles in established charities, local authorities and public services that required a new perspective.
This course is not designed to single out individuals when looking at bad practice or the concept of privilege. It could prompt awareness that may not feel comfortable at first, but we will look at how to apply this positively. We therefore encourage people to participate with openness, honesty, and with mutual support for each other.
To take part, you will need a laptop with a camera, microphone, and Wi-Fi. You won't need any other software. You will be emailed an invitation with a link to join the online training prior to the course.
Voscur is running all our training online due to the ongoing public health situation with coronavirus (or COVID-19). This decision was taken in line with local and national health advice, and to safeguard the health of our attendees and staff. We are aware that many VCSE organisations in the city are focusing their efforts on providing and changing their services to respond to communities. For more information about coronavirus, click here.
Cancellations:
If you cancel your place on a paid for training course, you will need to give at least two weeks' notice in which case a full refund or credit note will be issued. Less than two weeks' notice will result in the full cost of the course being invoiced (not being refunded or credited), unless you can give the place to somebody else. If the place is transferred to someone else there may be an adjustment on payment or fee, depending on their membership status as an organisation or individual.
If you have been offered a free place, or the training you have booked is a free session, we still need at least two weeks' notice for cancellations. If you fail to attend (and are unable to send someone in your place), we will charge an admin fee of £25, invoiced to you or your organisation.