Equality and Diversity Training

Background

Ypeople’s aim is to support positive change in people’s lives across Scotland. They provide support in many forms including: mentoring, housing advice, supported accommodation, counselling, and after school care.

YPeople asked us to develop and deliver equality and diversity training for all staff in order to emphasise their strategic commitment to put the experiences of those they support first, and to adapt what they do to meet people’s needs.  

Approach

Staff had demonstrated an existing high level of awareness of equality and diversity, and we avoided a detailed look at the legislation itself. Instead, to increase impact, we made the equality and diversity sessions highly interactive and relevant to YPeople. This work was about increasing confidence, and allowing staff the time to reflect on their particular role and linking their role with wider benefits of good practice.

Process

An assessment of current awareness took place, and we identified “hot spots” – areas of relevance and interest which were to be promoted during the training sessions. Case studies were developed which explored supporting younger people, and adapting services to the needs of protected groups. Draft materials were submitted to the client with notes, and client feedback enabled the production of highly relevant, tailored equality and diversity training.