Introduction

The Joint Consultative Forum was established in partnership with NICEM to provide a framework for consultation on matters relevant to the statutory equality duties in the education sector in Northern Ireland.

Membership is open to the community and voluntary sector and trade unions with an interest in the Education and Library Service. All the education authorities are represented on the Forum.

Officers of the Joint Consultative Forum
Joint Chairs:-

Dr Paschal McKeown
(Information and Policy Officer)
Mencap
Telephone: 028 9069 1351
Email: paschal.mckeown@mencap.org.uk

John Curran
(HR Project Manager)
Education & Skills Authority Implementation Team
Telephone: 028 9069 4972
Email: john.curran@deni.gov.uk

Secretary:-

Deirdre Vaugh
(Senior Principal Officer – Equality)
Staff Commission for Education & Library Boards
Telephone: 028 9049 1461 Typetalk: 08001 028 9049 1461
Fax: 028 9049 1744 Email: deirdre.vaugh@scelb.org.uk

Steering Group
A Steering Group has been appointed to progress work between Forum meetings. The current membership is:-

Community & Voluntary Sector

David McConnell	Age Concern
Helen Ferguson	Carers Northern Ireland
James Knox	CoSO
Anne-Marie O’Kane	Disability Action/Children with Disabilities Strategic Alliance
Norman Richardson	Inter-Faith Forum
Dr Paschal McKeown	Mencap (Joint Chair)
Sheri Chamberlain	Save the Children
Patricia Haren*	Women’s Support Network
Mary Field	Youthnet

Public Authorities

Helen Leith	Council for Catholic Maintained Schools
Lisa Johnston	Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessments
Sharon Lawlor	Department of Education
John Curran	Education & Skills Authority Implementation Team , Joint Chair
Terry Heron	Education and Library Boards
Deirdre Vaugh	Staff Commission for Education & Library Boards, Secretary
David Guilfoyle	Youth Council for Northern Ireland

Trade Unions

Mike Graves	Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council
Tommy Wright	Trade Union Side of the Joint Negotiating Council

Equality Authorities

Edel Teague

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

*To consult their members and other interest groups in the sector regarding membership of the Steering Group.