Connect Winter 2016 | Page 21

21 WINTER 2016 CHANGING FACES 2010 and the Equality and Human Rights Commission require colleges - as well as schools and early years settings - to make reasonable adjustments in order to ensure that a young person who has a disfigurement is not disadvantaged. OUR STAFF MEMBERS HAVE RECEIVED CRUCIAL TRAINING FROM THE CHARITY ‘CHANGING FACES’ IN HOW TO FACE DISFIGUREMENT WITH CONFIDENCE. Lecturers and support staff were told how living with disfigurement can lead to negative thoughts and mental health problems, and were shown strategies in how to support students with disfigurement to ensure they are not discriminated against at the College in any way. ‘Changing Faces’ supports and represents anyone with conditions or injuries that affect their appearance. One in every 45 people in the UK have disfigurements to their face and body. We are one of the first colleges in Scotland to take up the opportunity of ‘Changing Faces’ training to ensure our staff members are prepared to address any difficulties which could arise. The Equality Act These adjustments include identifying signs of low self-esteem and building up self-esteem, and developing effective interventions to discourage teasing, ostracism, and bullying. Equality and Inclusion Officer Sara Turkington said “The training was hugely beneficial as it deepened awareness and understanding of facial disfigurement. Many who have a facial disfigurement are harassed or discriminated against in some way or another. “It renewed an understanding how we as a college can continue working towards being an inclusive environment and tackling all forms of harassment and discrimination.” “We are one of the first colleges in Scotland to take up the opportunity of ‘Changing Faces’ training.” Respect Week ‘Respect Week’, held during the week beginning December 7, was once again a huge success. In total 78 workshops were delivered to over 1,400 students. The week