Annual Report 2009 -2010 - Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

10 staff have participated in a successful pilot of the Level 2 Knowledge and SkillsFramework(KSF) Progression Qualification – staff received training on the 6 core dimensionswhile undertaking an embedded essential skills qualification in Literacy.33 staff have undertaken the Educational Guidance Service for Adults (EGSA) Realising orDeveloping your Potential Programmes.We have provided 1,262 work experience placements and have had a presence at all majorschool career fairs in Belfast.We have established a Widening Participation Forum – a partnership forum betweenmanagement representatives, Trade Union Side, Belfast Metropolitan College, EGSA, OpenUniversity, West Belfast Greater Shankill Health Employment Partnership, and DHSSPSNIoverseeing the work in the Trust.We have developed a partnership agreement between the Trust, Belfast Metropolitan College,EGSA, Open University and Trade Union Side in relation to support worker training.137 people have gained employment in the Trust, 65 of which were long-term unemployed. Thiswas with the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Health Employment Partnership. They took uptraining packages which included interview preparation, First Aid, food hygiene, and infectioncontrol. Over 40 staff progressed in their career within the Trust through learning and developingopportunities.Equality of OpportunityBelfast Trust is an equal opportunities employer. Our Equal Opportunities policy aims to promoteequality of opportunity and prevention of unlawful discrimination.The policy specifies the Trust’s approach to recruitment and promotion, training, staff appraisal,domestic responsibilities and how complaints of discrimination will be managed. The policy hasbeen agreed with the Trade Unions and the Equality Commission and will be reviewed annually.Employment of People with DisabilitiesContinuing our commitment to the provision of equality of opportunity for all staff we recognisethat attention needs to be given to people who have or who have had a disability and it is for thisreason that a Policy on the Employment of People with Disabilities has been developed.We aim to develop a working environment and provide conditions of employment which will offerpeople with disabilities the opportunity to seek, obtain and maintain employment with the Trust.The Trust has consulted with the Employers’ Forum on Disability (NI), the Northern IrelandEquality Commission and Representatives of other Disability Groups in developing this Policy.23