Training Advisory Services Ltd (TAG) recognizes that there are groups in society which are disadvantaged through discrimination. We will work to redress any inequality in our own key service delivery and recruitment practices.
TAG is pledged to being an equal opportunities business. This Policy applies both to TAG's service delivery and its own development practices and will be reviewed annually by the Directors and any Associates at that time.
TAG is committed to promoting equal opportunities and preventing discrimination. We will oppose direct* and indirect** discrimination on the grounds of disability, ethnicity or national origin, colour, race, creed, gender, marital status age, HIV status and sexuality, religious belief, political persuasion, economic status and social background.
* Direct discrimination is the treatment of a person or group of people less favourably than other people in the same or similar circumstances.
** Indirect discrimination is deemed to take place when a requirement or condition has the effect of discriminating unfairly and unjustifiably between one group or individual and another group or individual
TAG will work towards equal access to our services and facilities and will endeavour to be open, accountable and fair in any decisions we make.
TAG will ensure that equal opportunities issues form an integral part of our service delivery and areas of responsibility.
If a Director or Associate should have a complaint relating to equality of opportunity in any aspect of their work they have a right to say so. It is a policy of the Company that any issues or disputes that arise will be dealt with informally by the appointed Director and resolved through discussion and negotiation by both Directors. The following procedure will apply:
In the first instance, when the matter arises, the individual concerned should make their complaint, in writing, to the appointed Director and copy it to the other Director. On receipt of this notification, the appointed Director shall meet with the individual making the complaint to investigate with a view to resolving the situation. This will include any remedial action to be taken, where/if appropriate.
If the individual making the complaint is not satisfied with the outcome of Step 1, then an appeal can be made to go to arbitration. The appeal should be submitted in writing to the Directors and should include an explanation of why the individual feels unable to accept the decision at Stage 1.
TAG will take appropriate action, as necessary, both as an independent service provider and limited company with Associates to uphold this policy.
Client Records & Other Associated Documents
All client records, be they stored manually or electronically, are held in secure premises. Electronic records are stored on stand-alone computers accessible through the normal password protocols. Personnel will ensure that all records are accurately stored and can be reliably retrieved.
Records are only accessible to staff directly concerned with the delivery of projects and services to the client.
Access to TAG's Statement of Service for all clients is available on this site. Where data is necessarily shared with a 3rd party, eg the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for statistical and monitoring purposes, the client will be made aware of this and a Data Protection statement issued.
Clients are entitled to request copies of any documents containing information about themselves or their companies. In the interests of all parties, where such requests ensues, a signature of endorsement showing the date of access and titles of documents put at their disposal would be required from the client.
Information relating to closed files is archived both manually and electronically. Summaries of actions/procedures will be available for access to eligible parties for a period of 5 years after which they may be destroyed unless there is a specific requirement by a contractor 3rd party, eg ESF, to maintain such records indefinitely.
Information, Advice and guidance services should promote the value of learning and be accessible to people, to provide them with the help they need to enter and progress in learning and work.
IAG services should be recognised and trusted by clients, have convenient entry points from which clients may be signposted or referred to the services they need, and be open at times and in places which suit clients' needs.
IAG frontline staff should have the skills and knowledge to identify quickly and effectively the client's needs. They should have the skills and knowledge either to address the client's needs or to signpost or to refer them to suitable alternative provision.
Links between IAG services should be clear from the client's perspective. Where necessary, clients should be supported in their transition between services.
IAG Services should be targeted at the needs of clients, and be informed by social and economic priorities at local, regional and national levels.
The range of IAG services should reflect the diversity of clients' needs.
IAG services should support clients to make informed decisions about learning and work based on the client's needs and circumstances.
IAG services should reflect clients' present and future needs.
IAG services should encourage clients to engage successfully with the service.
IAG services should encourage and support clients to become lifelong learners by enabling them to access and use information to plan their careers, supporting clients to explore the implications for both learning and work in their future career plans.
Adults should be aware of the IAG services that are relevant to them, and have informed expectations of those services.
Data Protection Act 1998 The information you provide, where required, may be passed to organisations such as the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who are responsible for funding and planning education and training for young people and adults in England, and is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998. The information you provide may be, where there is a requirement, shared with other organisations for the purpose of administration, careers and other guidance, and statistical and research purposes. Other organisations with which we may share information includes, educational institutions and organisations performing research and statistical work on behalf of the LSC, the SWRDA or their partners. The LSC is also a co-financing organisation and uses European Social Funds from the European Union to directly or indirectly part-finance learning activities, helping develop employment by promoting employability, business spirit and equal opportunities, and investing in human resources. Further information about partner organisations and what they do, may be found at:
For the LSC: http://www.lsc.gov.uk/Aboutus/StrategicPartners
For SWERDA: http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/what-we-do/policy/effective-partnershi.shtm
At no time will your personal information be passed to organisations for marketing or sales purposes. From time to time you may be approached to take part in surveys by mail and phone, which are designed to enable TAG, the other organisations such as the LSC and SWERDA and their partners to monitor performance, improve quality and plan future provision.
You have the right to deny access if you do not wish to be contacted in respect of surveys and research. TAG values your views on the information, advice, education or training which you may receive, and will use these to help bring about improvements to its own services.
Training Advisory Group (Training Advisory Services Ltd), The Stables, Gresham Court,
Lenwood Road, Northam, Bideford, Devon, EX39 3PL, UK.