Skills Pad delivers training to adults from a wide range of backgrounds. This statement sets out how we treat people fairly and how we keep learners safe.

Our commitment to equality and diversity

We are committed to meeting our duties under the Equality Act 2010. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

In practice this means that we make our courses open to everyone who meets the published entry requirements, we treat all learners and staff with respect, we will not tolerate harassment, bullying or discriminatory language on our premises, and we monitor our provision so that we can identify and remove barriers to participation.

Reasonable adjustments and access arrangements

If you have a disability, a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, a health condition, or any other need that may affect your training or assessment, please tell us when you book. Awarding organisations allow reasonable adjustments and access arrangements for regulated qualifications, and some of these must be agreed before the course begins.

Examples of adjustments we can often arrange include extra time in written assessments, a reader or scribe where permitted by the qualification rules, coloured overlays or enlarged print, and rest breaks. Not every adjustment is permitted for every qualification, because some assessment conditions are set by the awarding organisation and the regulator. We will tell you honestly what can and cannot be arranged.

Our training venue is at 33 Park Street West, Luton. Please contact us before booking if you need to check physical access arrangements so that we can give you accurate information.

English language requirements

Regulated SIA qualifications are assessed in English and the awarding organisation sets a required standard of English. This is a qualification requirement rather than a Skills Pad policy. We will explain what evidence is accepted before you book.

Safeguarding and learner welfare

We take the welfare of our learners seriously. Our staff are expected to treat learners with respect, to be alert to signs that a learner may be at risk of harm, and to report concerns promptly.

Our courses are designed for adults. Where anyone under eighteen or an adult at risk takes part in training, additional arrangements are put in place, including appropriate checks on the staff involved.

Raising a safeguarding concern

If you have a concern about the safety or welfare of a learner, please raise it with a member of staff immediately, or contact us on 01582 958844 or info@skillspad.co.uk.

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, please call the emergency services on 999. Concerns about an adult at risk in Luton can also be reported to Luton Council adult social care, and concerns about a child can be reported to Luton Council children’s services.

Prevent

As a training provider we are alert to the risk of learners being drawn into terrorism or extremism, and staff will refer any concerns through the appropriate channels.