Key Aspects of Current Legislative Requirements and Codes of Practice for Teaching in Your Further Education College.

In my role of college lecture at College of Further Education, I work with learners aged 17+. There are many legislations that I have to be aware of, it is important that I keep up to date with these legislations and part of my responsibility is to make sure that they are being adhered to and that I know what procedure to follow if this is not the case. The following factors have been implemented in order that there are guidelines in place, it also helps protect staff and learners while in a teaching environment – these include:
Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) – all workers have a right to work in places where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled. Health and safety is about stopping you from getting hurt at work or ill through work. Your employer is responsible for health and safety at your work but you must help to comply with this.
Minton (1991) states that ‘As a teacher your responsibility for the safety of your students is a legal requirement’. This legal requirement extends to the safeguarding from suspected abuse of young people or vulnerable adults and also the abuse covered in physical, sexual, emotional bullying, discrimination and neglect. Which all form part of both the Sex Discrimination Act (1975) and the Race Relations Act (2006), where ever there are groups of people gathering in a class situation they can be vulnerable to discrimination.
As a teacher I need to be aware of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (2001) as it is unlawful to discriminate against a disabled or special needs person that you are teaching. They should

be taught the same as everyone else and not be excluded in any school activities.
I am also aware of the Data Protection Act (1998) – which contains 8 principles; these specify that personal data must be:
- Processed fairly and lawfully
- Obtained for specified and lawful purposes
- Adequate, relevant and not excessive
- Accurate and up to date
- Not kept any longer than necessary
- Processed in accordance with the ‘Data subjects’ (the Individuals) rights
- Securely kept
- Not transferred to any other country without adequate protection in situ.
Alongside these laws I have to consider many of my codes of practice and conduct as a teacher. The revised Code of Conduct and Practice was approved by GTC council in July 2009 and came into effect on 1st October 2009. The code’s purpose is t guide teachers’ everyday judgements and actions and provide the GTC with principles to use in regulating the profession. I have listed some of these codes below:
- Put wellbeing, development and progress of young people first
- Take responsibility for maintaining the quality of their teaching practice
- Help young people to become confident and successful learners
- Demonstrate respect for diversity and promote equality
- Strive to establish productive partnerships with parents and carers
- Work as part of a whole school team
- Co-operate with other professionals in the young person workforce
- Demonstrate honesty and integrity and uphold public trust and confidence in the teaching profession.
In conclusion current legislative codes of practices and local guidelines are in place to promote high quality teaching to maintain professionalism and protect students.

References:
Data Protection Act (1998) legislation.gov.uk
Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) legislation.gov.uk
Minton D (1991) Teaching Skills in Further and Adult Education
Sex Discrimination Act (1975) legislation.gov.uk
Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (2001) legislation.gov.uk
Race Relations Act (2006) legislation.gov.uk

References: Data Protection Act (1998) legislation.gov.uk Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) legislation.gov.uk Minton D (1991) Teaching Skills in Further and Adult Education Sex Discrimination Act (1975) legislation.gov.uk Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (2001) legislation.gov.uk Race Relations Act (2006) legislation.gov.uk