Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Certification Course for Leaders and Managers

• A clear understanding of the moral, legal and business imperatives to driving progress and action in the E, D & I field. 
• Effective strategies for embedding equality, diversity and inclusion into your organisation. 
• Facilitating enhanced understanding of how a leader uses their own personal insights and knowledge to drive and facilitate change within an organisation, including awareness, acceptance and use of power and privilege. 
• Developing knowledge and understanding of emotional and cultural intelligence to improve talent retention, innovation and business development. 
• Exploring the role of leaders in promoting and fostering a lasting culture of equality, diversity and inclusion to help future-proof workplaces. 

This course is suitable for members and non-members, working in all areas of the profession, in management, leadership or decision-making roles. 

1. Sign up for the certified course in Equalith, Diversity and Inclusion
2. Attend four training half days hosted by Naeema Yaqoob Sajid
3. Complete the course assignment (released during the course)
4. Certification in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion awarded with use of our Law Society of Scotland certification and marques

Naeema studied a SNC in business studies and later a HND in legal studies before enrolling to study the LLB at the university of Edinburgh, with a toddler in tow.

She completed her law degree with two young children and escaped academia for a short period to build up much needed work experience. Her role as a parliamentary researcher, and later an advisor, within the reconvened Scottish Parliament in 1999, further whet her appetite to serve the people of Scotland.

Naeema, has over 20 years of experience in the Scottish legal sector. She commenced her career as a Procurator Fiscal Depute and later moved to the private sector where she specialised in child and family law and became a partner of a large Scottish law firm.

Naeema is an avid campaigner for change and is particularly passionate about making improvements in the legal industry ensuring it is fit to face future challenges. Her specialism lies in diversity, equality and inclusion and the additional barriers intersectionality can create. She uses her lived experience, interpersonal skills and business insights to navigate positive change to workplace cultures and strategies.  With that aim in mind, Naeema created Diversity+, a bespoke consultancy firm designed to assist organisations, specifically within the legal and financial sector, make improvements in their diversity and inclusion footprint, both internally and externally, thereby better meeting the needs of their stakeholders.  

Naeema is also a co-founder of The Scottish Ethnic Minorities Lawyers Association. An organisation aimed at improving ethnic minority representation within the Scottish legal profession.

• Welcome & Introductions: Brief introductions by facilitators.
• EDI Importance: Discuss the significance of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the Scottish Legal Sector.
• Barriers to EDI: Identify and address existing challenges.
• Emotional & Cultural Intelligence: Explore how awareness enhances EDI outcomes and practical workplace applications.

• Discovering Privilege: Discuss the dynamics of privilege and power.
• Employment Law (Part 1): Overview of the Equality Act, types of discrimination, and protected characteristics.
• Employment Law (Part 2): Practical examples and recent case law on EDI in the workplace.
• Future of EDI: Explore emerging legal trends and engage in a Q&A on future-proofing legal practices.

• Talent Recruitment & Retention: Discuss facts and strategies for diversifying recruitment and enhancing social mobility.
• Getting to Understand Each Other Better: Promote inclusion through reflections and discussions on real-life situations.
• Reflective Discussion: Connect conversations to practical implementation and recruitment strategies.

• Strategic Planning Workshop: Set Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion goals; discuss tactics for integrating these principles into business operations.
• Industry Reflections: Explore barriers to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion across industries and the role of the Law Society; develop strategies for fostering inclusion and translating discussions into actionable change.
• Wrap-Up & Assignment Discussion: Review key course points and provide guidance on the assignment.