2.1Schedule 9 4. (2) (a)

2.2Some of our arrangements for assessing our compliance with the Section 75 statutory duties are outlined in other parts of this equality scheme: details on consultation are outlined in chapter 3; arrangements for monitoring and assessing the impact of policies are included in chapter 4; publications in chapter 9; and complaints in chapter 8.

2.3In addition we have the following arrangements in place for assessing our compliance:

2.4Responsibilities and reporting

2.5Responsibility for the effective implementation of our equality scheme lies with the Executive Officer. The Executive Officer is accountable to our Board for the development, implementation, maintenance and review of the equality scheme in accordance with Section 75 and Schedule 9 of the Act, including any good practice or guidance that has been or may be issued by the Equality Commission.

2.6If you have any questions or comments regarding our equality scheme, please contact, in the first instance, Joan Gormley, Head of Operations Northern Ireland, at the address given below and we will respond to you as soon as possible.

Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation
2nd Floor
Glendinning House
6 Murray Street
Belfast BT1 6DN

Telephone: 028 9033 0706
Textphone: 0300 303 3345

Email: infoni@ofqual.gov.uk
www.ofqual.gov.uk

2.7Objectives and targets relating to the statutory duties will be integrated into our strategic and operational business plans.

2.8Relevant employees‟ job descriptions and personal performance plans will reflect their contribution to the fulfilment of the Section 75 statutory duties and the implementation of the equality scheme, where relevant. The personal performance plans will be subject to appraisal in the annual performance review.

2.9We will provide an annual report, the Section 75 Annual Progress Report, on the progress we have made on implementing the arrangements set out in this equality scheme to fulfil our Section 75 statutory duties.

2.10The Section 75 Annual Progress Report will be sent to the Equality Commission by 31st August each year, and will follow any guidance on annual reporting issued by the Equality Commission.

2.11Progress on the delivery of Section 75 statutory duties will also be included in our annual report to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

2.12We will liaise closely with the Equality Commission to ensure that progress on the implementation of our equality scheme is maintained.

2.13Action plan/action measures

2.14We are developing an action plan to promote equality of opportunity and good relations. The action plan does not form part of the approved equality scheme.

2.15The action measures that make up our action plan are relevant to our functions. They have been developed and prioritised on the basis of an audit of inequalities. The audit of inequalities has gathered and analysed information across the Section 75 categories⁴ to identify the inequalities that exist for our service users and those affected by our policies.

2.16Action measures are specific, measurable, linked to achievable outcomes, realistic and time bound. Action measures include performance indicators and timescales for their achievement.

2.17We will develop the action plan for a period of between one and five years in order to align it with our corporate and business planning cycles. Implementation of the action measures will be incorporated into our business planning process.

2.18We will seek input from our stakeholders and consult on our action plan before we send it to the Equality Commission and, thereafter, when reviewing the plan.

2.19We will monitor annually our progress on the delivery of our action measures, and update the action plan as necessary to ensure that it remains effective and relevant to our functions and work.

2.20We will inform the Equality Commission of any changes or amendments to our action plan and will also include this information in our Section 75 Annual Progress Report to the Equality Commission. Our Section 75 Annual Progress Report will incorporate information on progress we have made in implementing our action plan/action measures.

2.21Once finalised, our action plan will be available on our website and from:

Joan Gormley
Head of Operations Northern Ireland
Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation
2nd Floor
Glendinning House
6 Murray Street
Belfast BT1 6DN

Telephone: 028 9033 0706
Textphone: 0300 303 3345

Email: infoni@ofqual.gov.uk
www.ofqual.gov.uk

If you require our action plan in an alternative format, please contact us using the details provided above