
What the symbol means
The symbol is a recognition given by Jobcentre Plus to employers who have agreed to make certain positive commitments regarding the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled people.
NTN will:
interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and to consider them on their abilities
ensure there is a mechanism in place to discuss, at any time but at least once a year, with disabled employees, what both parties can do to make sure disabled employees can develop and use their abilities
make every effort when employees become disabled to make sure they stay in employment
take action to ensure that all employees develop the appropriate level of disability awareness needed to make sure these commitments work
review these commitments each year and assess what has been achieved, plan ways to improve on them and let employees and Jobcentre Plus know about progress and future plans
Equality is ensuring individuals or groups of individuals are treated fairly and equally and no less favourably, specific to their needs, including areas of race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age.
Promoting equality should remove discrimination in all of the aformentioned areas. Bullying, harassment or victimization are also considered as equality and diversity issues.
Diversity aims to recognise, respect and value people’s differences to contribute and realise their full potential by promoting an inclusive culture for all staff and students.
In August 2009 the inspection cycle ended for colleges and work-based learning. A new Common Inspection Framework (CIF) and a new inspection methodology was introduced in September 2009. These also apply to any new 'Next step' providers but there will be transition arrangements for adult and community learning, Department of Work and Pensions and judicial services providers.
The new CIF has a strengthened approach to judging capacity to improve, a greater focus on how colleges and providers meet users' needs, a greater focus on learning through teaching, training and assessment - and the grades awarded for equality and diversity, safeguarding and value for money will contribute to the judgment on leadership and management.
There is increased emphasis on 'Every Child Matters' and also on the progress made by different groups of learners.
Significantly the grades awarded for safeguarding and for equality and diversity will have a limiting effect on the maximum grade that can be achieved for some aspects
Click here for more information
NTN can provide the following information on a cd-rom in regards to Equality and Diversity:

Every Child Matters is a shared programme of change to improve outcomes for all children and young people.
It takes forward the Government's vision of radical reform for children, young people and families.


The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) aims to encourage all adults to
engage in learning of all kinds.
Visit their website