Equality, diversity and inclusion policy
PrintPolicy: |
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion |
Date effective from: | May 2019 |
Date approved: |
July 2016 |
Approved by: | Executive Directors |
Lead director: | Hugh Owen, Director of Strategy and Public Affairs |
Applicable to: | The Riverside Group, including all subsidiaries |
In consultation with: |
Equality & Diversity Best Practice Group Equality & Diversity Staff Groups Executive Directors Board of Irvine Housing Association Impact Board |
Review date: | Three-year cyclical review May 2022 |
Associated documents: | Hate Crime and Harassment Policy and procedures Domestic Abuse Policy and procedures (for both staff and customers) Aids and Adaptations Policy and procedures Safeguarding/Child Protection and Adult Support and Protection Policies Modern Slavery statement |
Name of policy: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion | |
1. | Purpose
This policy sets out how The Riverside Group is committed to supporting and promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I). This commitment is embraced by our governing Boards and informs all of our activities and their impact on our customers, employees and other stakeholders. |
2. | Policy
Riverside aims to:
Our policy covers all aspects of equality including race, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, disability and age (as specified by the Equality Act 2010 and the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012). Our policy applies to everyone who receives a service from us, forms part of our governance, is employed by us or volunteers their services. We will also seek to ensure that anyone who works on our behalf demonstrates commitment to ED&I. The policy will help us deliver our vision of ‘transforming lives; revitalising neighbourhoods’ and uphold all our values. It underlines our commitment to develop as an open and inclusive organisation, a key priority set out within the Corporate Plan. It also aims to ensure that we comply with all our legal and regulatory responsibilities; current requirements are set out principally in the Equality Act 2010, Human Rights legislation and by the English and Scottish Housing Regulators. As a Group wide policy it has been the subject of consultation with customers, board members, employees and staff groups, and sets out to reflect their requirements and priorities. We will:
To achieve this we will: Adopt clear strategies
Use information and analysis to drive strategy and action
Embed best practice
Have in place reasonable and accessible procedures and approaches to support ED&I
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3 | Definitions
Equality is about ensuring that every individual has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents, and believing that no one should have poorer life chances because of where, when or whom they were born, or because of other characteristics. Promoting equality is about behaving in a way that tackles inequalities, aiming to ensure that all staff and service users are treated fairly, and do not experience discrimination. Promoting diversity is about recognising that everyone is different and creating a working environment that values each customer and employee ensuring that services are delivered that suit all sections of the community. Inclusion is about positively striving to meet the needs of different people and taking deliberate action to create environments where everyone feels respected and able to achieve their full potential. Protected characteristics within the Equality Act 2010 are: race, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Equal Opportunities within the Scotland Act 1998 refers to the elimination, regulation and prevention of discrimination across a number of areas: sex, marital status, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, language, social origin or other personal attributes, including beliefs or opinions, such as religious beliefs or political opinions. |
4 | Notes
This policy will be communicated to all key stakeholders and made available upon request. Riverside’s Group Board must agree any material changes to this policy statement. All Riverside policies should contain the following wording: ‘This policy aligns with the Riverside Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and has been subject to an Equality Impact Assessment’. |