6.3

 

How is equalities monitoring information gathered in Glasgow?

In 2007, Glasgow Community Learning Strategy Partnership developed a single form for gathering equalities monitoring information.   The ultimate aim was that all CLD organisations should use the same form to gather equalities information from participants and service users.  This would mean that the partners could get a clear picture across the city, using comparable information.

We want to be able to gather information about who is using CLD services across Glasgow, and use this to identify any inequalities that need to be addressed.  In particular, we would like to focus on the six main equalities strands, promoted by the Scottish Executive - age, faith, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation and disability."

Source: Glasgow's Learning...About Equality

But the Community Learning Strategy Partnership recognised that this would take time.  So, the guidance essentially asked all CLD providers to do two main things:

  • to use the Glasgow’s Learning... About Equality guidance to review their approach to gathering equalities monitoring information, and recognise the value of gathering this information; and
  • if gathering any information about equality, to use the standard questions set out in the single form.

The original form developed for the Glasgow's Learning About Equality Toolkit has been further developed to make it more accessible and easy to use for people using LOTIS.  To download and up-to-date version of the LOTIS equality form visit the LOTIS section of Glasgow's Learning.


Integration with LOTIS

Following the launch of the Glasgow’s Learning about Equalities Pack, the Glasgow Community Learning Strategy Partnership committed to embed equalities in the way it gathers data on Adult Literacy and Numeracy through the Learner Outcome Tracking Information System (LOTIS). 

Successes
In 2008/09 (the first year the equalities form was fully embedded in LOTIS), over 2,800 adults voluntarily participated – that is about 75 percent of the learners who registered to use LOTIS participated in equalities monitoring.  

Future Challenges

Tutors undergoing equalities training highlighted:

  • The need to expand methods to gather sensitive equalities information; and
  • The need to continue to offer staff development (eg training, inductions and guidance).

Future Developments

The Glasgow Community Learning Strategy Partnership will continue to explore how best to improve equalities monitoring.

The Partnership recently commissioned the WEA to explore the challenges faced by practitioners and tutors when gathering equalities information from learners.  This work has informed the review of this resource.  The Partnership will also look at how best to support practitioners with equalities work in other ways.