Diversity and Inclusion

Tuesday, 23 February 2010 02:44

We believe that all learners deserve equal and appropriate access to assessments and qualifications within a fully inclusive education system. As well as monitoring and evaluating diversity and inclusion, all our decisions and processes are fully consulted upon with the diversity sector.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 covers vocational qualification organisations and relevant qualifications. The Act was extended in September 2007 to include general qualifications. The integrity of the qualifications we accredit must always be safeguarded, but we are equally committed to equality of opportunity. Whilst it is impossible to cover every circumstance, our Principles and exemptions (January 2009) and the access arrangements, reasonable adjustments and special consideration set out by the Joint Council for Qualifications, aim to ensure that every effort is made by awarding organisations and regulators for fair access.

These principles and arrangements are under continuous development and form part of the work we do through our Access Consultation Forum. The forum provides an opportunity for us to sit down with other regulators, awarding organisations and representatives from the diversity sector to share good practice. Minutes from forum meetings can be downloaded for September 2009 , May 2009 , February 2009 , November 2008 and October 2008 .

We also produce guidance for awarding organisations covering fair access by design – both for vocational qualifications and for GCSEs and GCEs .

To help ensure fair access to National Vocational Qualifications in Northern Ireland, an approved equality scheme and disability action plan have been put in place.

Until 1st April 2010 we were part of the QCA and were therefore covered by the QCA's scheme. We are currently consulting on our own draft Single equality scheme.

Download our Single Equality Scheme.

External Advisory Group

The purpose of this group will be for Ofqual to consult and seek advice on embedding equalities and improving service delivery throughout all aspects of its work. The group will supplement other forms of consultation used. The group will be consulted during some decision-making processes, which will improve the regulation of qualifications and assessments. Ofqual is keen to ensure we consult and hear from all equality groups; so that the information they receive is fair and consistent.

Read more about our external advisory group.

Last Updated on Monday, 16 January 2012 14:59 Tags: fair access by design, access, access consultation forum, diversity, Equality, inclusion, principles and exemptions, reasonable adjustments