COUNCIL FOR CATHOLIC
MAINTAINED SCHOOLS
REPORT ON SCREENING OF
POLICIES
MARCH 2007
CONTENTS
Introduction 3
Screening Procedure 5
Responding to the Consultation 7
Section 1 Education-related policies 8
Section 2 Human Resources and Welfare policies 12
Section 3 Internal Personnel policies 14
Section 4 Corporate Services policies 17
Section 5 Building and Development policies 20
APPENDICES
Appendix 1 Sources of Research 23
CCMS Screening Report 2
March 2007
Introduction
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) is the advocate
for the Catholic Maintained Schools sector in Northern Ireland.
Established under the auspices of the 1998 Education Reform
(Northern Ireland) Order, the Council’s primary purpose is the
provision of an upper tier of management for the Catholic Maintained
Sector with the primary objective of raising standards in Catholic
Maintained Schools.
CCMS represents trustees, schools and governors on issues such
as raising standards, planning and managing the school estate
and teacher employment.
CCMS is the largest employer of teachers in Northern Ireland -
(8500) teachers.
CCMS plays a central role in supporting teachers whether through
its welfare service or, for example, in working parties such as the
Independent Inquiry into Teacher Pay and Conditions of Service.
CCMS supports trustees in the provision of school buildings, and
governors and principals in the effective management and control
of schools.
CCMS also has a wider role within the Northern Ireland Education
sector and contributes, with Education partners, to policy on a
wide range of issues such as curriculum review, selection, pre-
school education, pastoral care and leadership.
The Council currently wishes to consult on the results of a revised
screening exercise conducted in 2006.
CCMS Screening Report 3
March 2007
Background
In 2001, following the approval of the Council’s Equality Scheme, the
Council completed a screening exercise in relation to existing polices
and, following consultation, devised an equality impact assessment
timetable to be implemented over a five year period1. This
programme was the subject of regular review and change over time.
Over the years 2002 – 2005, major slippage occurred in the plans to
carry out this programme due to a number of circumstances including
a period of major re-organisation in 2003. In addition, given that
many of the Council’s policies, procedures and guidance emanate
from the Department of Education, it was deemed appropriate to
dovetail the impact assessment of Council policies and procedures
with the programme developed by the Department. The Department
experienced slower progress than expected in implementing its own
programme of equality impact assessments (EQIAs) and initiated a
major review and consultation in 2004 – 2005. By this time, many of
the policies originally screened by CCMS had been revised or were
out of date. It was therefore decided in 2005 that the Council should
identify all current policies, procedures and guidance and subject
them to screening. These policies, procedures and guidance were
categorised according to the main CCMS business areas and
identified as either:
1. Originating with CCMS
2. Issued by or developed with an external body such as the
Department of Education or Teachers Negotiating Committee
3. Requiring to be updated
4. Under Development
This process was completed in November 2005.
Only those policies classified as originating with CCMS (i.e.
category 1) were included in the revised screening exercise.
CCMS will be co-operating as appropriate in the screening of policies
originating with external bodies. Policies, procedures and guidance
under development or being updated will be subject to a separate
1
A copy of the full screening report is available on request.
CCMS Screening Report 4
March 2007
screening process in accordance with guidance developed by the
Council’s equality committee.
Screening Procedure
The policies, procedures and guidance identified for the purpose of
this exercise were subject to screening for equality impacts in
accordance with guidelines published by the Equality Commission for
Northern Ireland using a toolkit developed by CCMS. The screening
was carried out by senior officers assisted by two education
consultants2. The criteria used to assess impacts are:
1. Is there any evidence of higher or lower participation or uptake
by different groups?
2. Is there any evidence that different groups have different
needs, experiences, issues and priorities in relation to the
particular policy?
3. Have consultations with relevant groups, organisations or
individuals indicated that policies of this type create problems
specific to them?
4. Is there an opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity
or better community relations by altering the policy or working
with others in government or in the larger community in the
context of this policy?
Consultation
The Council is proposing to adopt a two stage approach to consulting
on the outcomes of this exercise.
Phase one entails consultation on the initial decisions on whether to
conduct an EQIA on individual policies. This report presents the
preliminary findings of the revised screening exercise. CCMS is
asking consultees to consider the outcomes of screening and indicate
which policies have significant equality implications. Further
information on how to make a response is detailed below.
2
Education consultants are appointed by CCMS to a select list used to support Council in its
statutory role in respect of providing advice and guidance to Trustees, Governors and Principals
on a wide range of issues. Education Consultants are not full-time employees of Council but are
called upon to fulfill specific projects as required.
CCMS Screening Report 5
March 2007
Phase two will involve providing feedback to consultees on the initial
consultation and consulting on the final report and timetable for
EQIAs resulting from the full screening exercise.
Screening Report
The following sections list the policies, procedures and guidance
included in the screening exercise along with the outcome of the
screening process. The sections are:
EDUCATION – relating to the Council’s support role with
trustees, schools and governors
HUMAN RESOURCES AND WELFARE – related to the
employment and welfare of teachers
INTERNAL PERSONNEL – concerned with the employment of
CCMS internal staff
CORPORATE SERVICES – concerned mainly with the
administration of Council’s business
BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT – concerned with advising
trustees, schools and governors on the planning and provision
of the schools estate.
Each policy screened is listed under these headings along with
comments and the outcome of the preliminary screening.
Copies of the report are available in hard copy or online at the
Council’s website www.onlineccms.com/equality. The report
can also be made available, on request, in alternative formats
including large print, in Braille, on computer disc, on audio-
cassette and in minority languages to meet the needs of those
people who are not fluent in English.
CCMS Screening Report 6
March 2007
Responding to the Consultation
A questionnaire has been developed that may be used to help in
making a written response. This can be accessed on the Council’s
website www.onlineccms.com/equality or by email electronically or in
hard copy in alternative formats as detailed above. The
questionnaire should be downloaded from the website and returned
as hard copy or attached as a Word document to an email.
Written responses or the completed questionnaire should be returned
to:
Helen Leith
Policy Development Officer
CCMS
160 High Street
Holywood
Co Down
BT18 9HT
Tel: 028 9042 6972
Fax: 0289042 4255
Email: helenleith@ccmsschools.com
Responses should be returned, if possible, by 22 June 2007.
Responses will be accepted up to, but no later than 25 June
2007.
If you or your organisation would prefer to present your views on this
screening exercise, please contact Helen Leith as above to arrange a
suitable date.
Responses to this consultation will be subject to the Freedom of
Information Act, which gives the right of access to information held by
all public bodies.
CCMS Screening Report 7
March 2007
SECTION 1
EDUCATION-RELATED POLICIES
1 Ethos and Management Framework
These are high level advisory policies and provide a Catholic
philosophy and ethos context for the management framework within
which Catholic schools operate. Assessment of the impact on
Section 75 categories depends on the acceptance that the promotion
of equality of opportunity is inherent in the management processes in
Catholic schools.
Summary of Screening Outcomes
Policy Descriptor Comment Recommendation
Management These documents No equality No EQIA
Structures in provide guidance impacts identified. CCMS should
Catholic for Boards of monitor through
Maintained Governors on ETI inspection
Primary Schools appropriate reports
Management management
Structures in structures
Catholic appropriate to the
Maintained size of the school
Secondary
Schools
Life to the full Provides guidance No equality No EQIA
to teachers, impacts identified CCMS should
principals and monitor through
Governors on ETI inspection
inter-related reports
aspects of
Catholic
Education
Partnership for Outlines for No equality No EQIA
Quality teachers, impacts identified
principals and
Governors the
inter-related roles
and
responsibilities
CCMS Screening Report 8
March 2007
essential for the
provision of quality
education
School No equality No EQIA
Development impacts identified
Planning
Proclaiming the Document setting No equality No EQIA
Mission out the distinctive impacts identified
philosophy and
values of Catholic
education.
Diversity and The over-riding CCMS needs to Full EQIA
Inclusion in aim of this investigate the recommended
Catholic publication is to extent of
Maintained challenge schools integration of
Schools to consider what pupils from
they are doing to relevant Section
promote and 75 categories, in
sustain a climate particular from
of openness and migrant worker
inclusion populations and
children with
disabilities.
2 Service Delivery and Operational Policies
Summary of Screening Outcomes
Policy Descriptor Comment Recommendation
Policy Statement Provides a This policy was This should be
on Measures to framework for agreed and more closely
Combat dealing with adopted by all linked with use of
Harassment complaints of employing the grievance
harassment in a authorities in procedure,
consistent, fair consultation with bullying at work
and objective way. recognised trade and informed by
unions and has case law.
been superseded Monitoring
by a new policy on strategy also
harassment in the necessary.
workplace. New policy to be
screened on a
CCMS Screening Report 9
March 2007
joint employing
authority basis
School Smoking Offers a Neutral policy. To be updated in
Policy framework against line with changes
which in legislation using
occupational CCMS guidance
smoking and its on screening.
management may
be addressed
Business Guidance Advisory policy. No EQIA
Education provided to Has some social
secondary schools inclusion and
on the continued diversity
development of implications.
links with
business, industry,
commerce and the
public sector.
Improving the Research Report Issued to schools Not appropriate for
Uptake of Free as part of CCMS EQIA but should
School Meals commitment to the be monitored
promotion of the taking anti-poverty
uptake of free and diversity
school meals considerations into
account.
Format of Board Advisory policy Neutral in terms of No EQIA
of Governors equality impacts
Minutes
Invitations to Advisory policy on Neutral in terms of No EQIA
Distribute engaging with equality impacts
Information on commercial
Product Literature organisations
to parents
Harmonisation of Advice to Boards This policy could This policy should
School Holidays of Governors and impact on single be subject to EQIA
principals on parent families in the context of
options for school and on people cross-sector co-
holidays with disabilities operation.
and their carers
Handling of Sample policy May have impacts Needs feedback
Complaints in reflecting good in relation to mechanism.
Catholic practice in language support
Maintained handling requirements for
Schools complaints parents
CCMS Screening Report 10
March 2007
Guidance on Use Advisory note to Has potential for Recommend
of School Trustees, Boards promoting good review and update
Premises by Other of Governors and relations through to include social
Organisations school principals community use of inclusion, good
premises relations, diversity
and access.
Feedback
mechanism
required.
Guidance on First in series of Has major Recommend
Enrolment of guidance implications for review and update
Pupils with documents to pupils with taking account of
Physical / Mobility promote an disabilities SENDO.
Difficulties inclusive approach Full EQIA
to education recommended.
CCMS Screening Report 11
March 2007
SECTION 2
HUMAN RESOURCES AND WELFARE – TEACHING PERSONNEL
Summary of Screening Outcomes
Policy Descriptor Comment Recommendation
Scheme for Outlines Screening Full EQIA required
Appointment of procedures for the identified major
Teachers recruitment and equality impacts
selection of on a number of
teaching staff categories
Promotions Sets out No impact Recommend
Procedures procedures to be information review to include
followed in relation available appropriate data
to teacher collection. Review
promotions to include use of
guidance on policy
development and
screening.
Redundancy Sets out No impact Recommend
procedures procedures information review to include
relating to teacher available appropriate data
redundancies collection. Review
to include use of
guidance on policy
development and
screening.
Procedure for Sets out No impact Recommend
awarding procedures for the information review to include
management awarding of available appropriate data
allowances management collection. Review
allowances to include use of
guidance on policy
development and
screening.
Criminal Records Sets out No direct equality Should be linked
Check procedures for impacts identified clearly to
criminal records appointments
checks in relation process and
to teacher monitored for
appointments. In equality impacts.
accordance with
DE guidance.
CCMS Screening Report 12
March 2007
Teacher Welfare This policy is No significant No EQIA
Policy (including aimed at equality impacts
welfare of maintaining an identified
teaching enthusiastic,
principals) highly motivated
and healthy
workforce
Staff Welfare This policy is No significant No EQIA
Policy – internal aimed at equality impacts
staff maintaining an identified
enthusiastic,
highly motivated
and healthy
workforce
CCMS Screening Report 13
March 2007
SECTION 3
INTERNAL PERSONNEL
Summary of Screening Outcomes
Policy Descriptor Comment Recommendation
Recruitment and Sets out Screening Full EQIA.
Appointments procedures to indicated
Policy ensure that significant impacts This EQIA
Council staff are on a number of commenced in
recruited and Section 75 groups November 2005
appointed on the but had to be put
principal of merit. on hold due to
This policy the intervention
operates within of the Review of
the wider context Public
of employment Administration.
legislation
Code of Conduct Consists of the No equality No EQIA
for Staff ethical standards impacts identified
expected from
Council Staff
Redundancy Procedures for Made obsolete by No EQIA. This
Procedures managing staff Review of Public policy has been
redundancies Administration made obsolete
due to the impact
of the Review of
Public
Administration.
Officers Procedures for No equality No EQIA
Temporarily managing impacts identified
Undertaking situations where
Additional Duties officers of Council
are undertaking
full duties of a
higher graded
post
Policy on Procedures for No significant No EQIA
Discretionary managing equality impacts
Leave discretionary identified
leave
Equal Statement Aim of this policy Linked to
Opportunities affirming the is to promote Recruitment and
Policy Council’s equality of Appointments
commitment to opportunity Policy. EQIA on
CCMS Screening Report 14
March 2007
ensuring fair and hold
equal treatment of
applicants for
employment and
for staff who are
employed
Job Share Procedures for Significant Full EQIA
Scheme managing the impacts identified recommended
operation of the
Council’s Job
Share Policy
Career Break Procedure for the No significant No EQIA
Scheme operation of the equality impacts
Council’s Career identified
Break Policy
Disciplinary Procedure for No equality No EQIA
Procedure dealing with staff impacts identified
in disciplinary
situations
Grievance Procedures for No equality No EQIA
Procedure dealing with staff impacts identified
grievances
Harassment Procedure for No equality No EQIA
Policy dealing with cases impacts identified
of harassment in
the workplace
Sexual Procedure for No equality No EQIA
Harassment dealing with impacts identified
Policy sexual
harassment in the
workplace
Family Friendly Procedure for the Significant Full EQIA
Work Scheme operation and equality impacts recommended
management of identified
the Council’s
Family Friendly
Working Policy
Managing Guidelines for the Significant Full EQIA
Attendance at management of equality impacts recommended
Work staff absences identified
Car Leasing Scheme for No equality No EQIA
Scheme providing a leased impacts identified
car facility to staff
Alcohol / Policy aimed at No equality No EQIA
Substance Abuse identifying and impacts identified
Policy dealing with
CCMS Screening Report 15
March 2007
problems
associated with
alcohol /
substance abuse
Hospitality Policy Sets out No equality No EQIA
standards in impacts identified
circumstances
where staff are
offered hospitality
or gifts
Childcare Voucher This policy puts in No equality No EQIA
Scheme place impacts identified
arrangements to
assist staff with
parental
responsibilities in
taking advantage
of government
incentives in this
area.
Eye Test Policy Procedure for bi- No equality No EQIA
annual eye tests impacts identified
for VDU users
CCMS Screening Report 16
March 2007
SECTION 4
CORPORATE SERVICES
1 Strategic level policies
Summary of Screening Outcomes
Policy Descriptor Comment Recommendation
Corporate Risk Details CCMS No significant No EQIA
Management methodology for equality impacts
Policy identification, identified.
analysis and
control of risks to
the achievement
of CCMS’s
objectives
Annual Business Key Strategy CCMS senior Should be equality
and Action Plan document linking management proofed before
resource planning operate a issue.
to identified formalised and
business continuous review EQIA
objectives and of all outcomes to recommended
outcomes. planned
objectives.
Annual Report Not policy per se Communication to Need to review to
2005 but communicates stakeholders and ensure that
outcomes arising related equality measures
from policy. educational are reported
bodies. S 75 explicitly.
issues reported EQIA
upon recommended
Appointments to Procedures for Process set in Council re-
Council making legislation. constituted in
appointments to No equality data November 2005.
Council available Should be
Requires formal considered under
link to Section 75 Disability Action
re representation Plan
of equality groups.
CCMS Details planning No obvious Review making
Contingency Plan and procedures in impacts equality
the event of a considerations
crisis or explicit.
emergency No EQIA
CCMS Screening Report 17
March 2007
Fraud Policy Provides a No obvious No EQIA
framework for impacts
promoting the
Council’s policies
and measures to
prevent and detect
fraud
IT Security Aims to ensure No obvious No EQIA
the maintenance, impacts
security and
integrity of IT
systems
2 Operational level policies
Summary of Screening Outcomes
Policy on Data Details the No obvious No EQIA
Protection Council’s policy on impacts
record
management,
compliance with
the Data
Protection Act
1998 and
Computer Misuse
Act 1990
Internet / Email Sets out the rules No obvious No EQIA
Policy covering email impacts
and access to the
Internet
Disposal of Assets Financial Neutral in terms of No EQIA
/ Surplus / memorandum on equality impacts
Obsolete Items disposal of assets
/ items
Mobile Phone Financial Control Neutral in terms of No EQIA
Policy measure equality impacts
Hospitality Policy Financial Control Neutral in terms of No EQIA
measure equality impacts
CCMS Screening Report 18
March 2007
Standing Orders Procedural Neutral in terms of No EQIA
for Council arrangements for equality impacts
Council.
Linked to
Governance
Regulatory
System
Protocol for Financial Control Neutral in terms of No EQIA
Requisitions – measure equality impacts
Recurrent and
Capital
Protocol for the Financial Control Neutral in terms of No EQIA
Payment of Travel measure equality impacts
and Subsistence
Allowance
Scheme for Financial Control Neutral in terms of No EQIA
Payments to measure equality impacts
Council Members
Stationery Financial Control Neutral in terms of No EQIA
Protocol measure equality impacts
Change of Operational Neutral in terms of No EQIA
Procedure for control measure equality impacts
School Runs for electronic
distribution of
Circulars to
schools
CCMS Screening Report 19
March 2007
SECTION 5
BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT
1 Strategic level policies
Summary of Screening Outcomes
Policy Descriptor Comment Recommendation
School Policy dealing with Provides a logical EQIA
Reorganisations school and structured recommended.
rationalisations at approach Case studies
local level compliant with required to
legislation illustrate
Modifications to Advisory support Raises awareness Potential for
CCMS to Trustees of good practice equality impacts;
Procedures for relating to and stakeholder dependant on
School development consultation individual school’s
Reorganisations proposals and key stakeholders.
processes
Framework for Arrangements to CCMS internal No EQIA
Control and Co- support financial control and
ordination of and progress assurance
Project reporting against process .
Management of project plans Neutral in terms of
Major Capital throughout project equality impacts
Works
2 Operational level policies
Summary of Screening Outcomes
Policy Descriptor Comment Recommendation
CCMS Circular Procedural update Neutral in terms of No EQIA
2001/23 in respect of equality impacts
Minor Works applications for
Revised Minor Works in
Procedures schools
Capital Works Guidance circular Could have Potential for
Major-Minor on issues, significant impacts significant positive
Works procedures and on disability equality outcomes.
processes group.
EQIA
DE funded estates Lack of available recommended
improvement data on project
CCMS Screening Report 20
March 2007
initiative - project volumes and
to Circa 300K geographical
spread
Appointment and Guidance to Linked to DE No EQIA
Monitoring of Trustees on appointments.
Project appointment and No impacts
Management and monitoring of identified
Planning project managers
Supervisory
Services for
Construction and
Other Works in
the Catholic
maintained Sector
Provision of Central Relates to tender Need case
Project Procurement documents and histories to
Management and Directorate formal undertaking evaluate
Planning Framework to comply with compliance.
Supervisor Agreement equality Implementation to
Services (2004- requirements incorporate ECNI
2008) for DE, guidance on
CCMS and Client Equality,
bodies Sustainability and
Procurement.
Requests from Procedural May have Recommend
schools for a advisory notes significant equality EQIA.
review of relating to school impacts RPA3 will have
Admissions and capacity Need up-to-date significant impact.
Enrolment data
Numbers
Irish Medium Facilitation of Irish No evidence base. Recommend
Education. Medium Education review by Senior
Guidance notes to recognising Equality impacts Officer of reporting
Officers in respect cultural diversity of not apparent in 2005/06 to assess
of Irish Medium populace reporting to impact of support
Education Council and create
evidence base.
Emergency Procedural No impacts No EQIA
Procedures – advisory note to identified
Annual Guidance initiate Insurance
issued loss adjustment
3
RPA – Review of Public Administration
CCMS Screening Report 21
March 2007
Small Schools Initiative to assess This should be Has implications
Federation potential cross-referenced for special needs
Proposal: clustering in school and other S75
Establishing a reorganisation reorganisations categories
Pilot Model model documents
Recommend EQIA
Asbestos Issued as advice Neutral No EQIA
Management to Trustees, operational policy
Circular 2005/07 Chairs of Boards
of Governors and
school Principals.
Additional to DE
Circular 2003/20 Advisory Neutral Health No EQIA
Control of document to and Safety
Asbestos at Work facilitate operational policy
Regulations compliance with
legislation and
code of practice
CCMS Screening Report 22
March 2007
APPENDIX 1 SOURCES OF RESEARCH
Equality Commission:
Equality Commission guidance manual on Equality Act and S75
Duties
Review of S75 Duties 2005 report, Equality Commission website
Appointment speech by Bob Collins Equality Commissioner at the
Annual Conference 2005 emphasis re RPA processes
Equality focus circular issue 5 Spring 2006
Equality Commission Officer – Research on public consultation
document October 2006 in relation to public procurement and
guidance on S75 Duties
Other RPA Organisation sources:
Community planning - Creating Healthier Communities - Local
Authority and Primary Care Trusts Model, Department of Health
resource pack published late 2005
RPA Reform Consultation document Section 6 Education Sector
review and proposals
CCMS Sources:
CCMS response to RPA consultation and proposals
CCMS Equality Commission Annual report 2005
CCMS Business plan 2005
CCMS Business plan 2006
Paul O Doherty – CCMS Senior Officer - Policy Development advisor
DENI Equality Scheme - Revised Policy Screening and Timetable,
Consultation document, March 2005
Additional Sources:
Local Councils / Education Bodies Northern Ireland – Section 75
Screening exercises
Invest Northern Ireland – Publication Scheme, Freedom of
Information Act 2000
Northern Ireland Tourist Board - Publication Scheme, Freedom of
Information Act 2000
CCMS Screening Report 23
March 2007
Seminar papers:
Data Protection & Information Management April 2003, Walker Morris
Public Sector and PFI Team
Effective Governance – Optimising Public and Private Sector
Governance for Performance and Delivery, BMF Conferences, 12
April 2005
CIPFA, ICSA and ACCA CDP events - Governance and Financial
Management (PFI)
CCMS Screening Report 24
March 2007