Identifying students ‘at risk’ - new guidelines for schools and colleges

Did you know that fresh guidance has been issued to help schools and colleges identify exploitation, abuse or neglect of young people? The guide covers all forms of safeguarding, including physical abuse, female genital mutilation, child sexual exploitation, radicalisation and cyberbullying. Are your managers aware that all staff are expected to read the simple 8 page summary section of the new guidelines?

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Young women face a well-being crisis

Did you know that new research shows young people experience a significant decline in happiness once they start secondary school? Self-esteem, ability to cope with stress and difficulties, and perception of friends and family all appear to deteriorate, but while both sexes suffer, the problem seems more acute for young women. Do you know why?

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Commission writes to the government about FGM (female genital mutilation) strategy, as two men face the first UK prosecution

The first British charges for FGM (female genital mutilation) were announced on 21 March 2014, in a landmark decision. In February, The Equality and Human Rights Commission wrote to Norman Baker, the Minister responsible for the government’s strategy to combat female genital mutilation (FGM), to express concern that current steps are not sufficient and that a more robust approach is needed. What steps are you taking in your organisation to address FGM? For example, did you use Womens’ History Month to highlight action to end violence against women? Have you circulated guidelines to teaching staff?

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Harriet Harman would bring back dual discrimination

Harriet Harman has said that the Labour Party would implement the dual discrimination Regulations in the Equality Act if returned to government. She said that reintroducing the provisions, which were dropped by the coalition Government when the Equality Act came into force, would help address both age and sex discrimination that is facing older women. Are you familiar with the concept of dual discrimination?

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Would your staff know that even if they did not intend to harass someone, their action could still count as harassment? Should someone tell Lord Rennard?

Considerable publicity has been given to allegations of sexual harassment against Liberal Democratic peer Lord Rennard. An investigation came to the conclusion that intent could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt. Why does their need to be proof of intent?

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