CIRENCESTER HOUSING
BOARD
Chapter 8: Governance
Policies
Equality and Diversity Policy
Introduction
Cirencester Housing believes that a commitment to equality and embracing diversity
is fundamental to our effectiveness as a business and supports us in achieving our
vision and strategic objectives. This commitment is consistent with our values of
openness, integrity, accountability and proportionate compliance with regulations,
and with our objective to ‘provide homes that people want to live in’.
Our aim is for fair and equitable treatment for all of our customers, staff and other
stakeholders. This policy sets out the need to continually listen and learn from our
key stakeholders to ensure that we provide fair and equal services to the diversity of
customers.
To ensure this Equality & Diversity Policy is embedded within the culture of the
Company it will apply to all staff, residents, and visitors to Cirencester Housing
properties, together with those contracted to work at or for the Company.
Statement
The Board and staff of Cirencester Housing will demonstrate commitment to equality
and diversity by:
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promoting equality of opportunity
eliminating unlawful discrimination
promoting respect between all
providing a positive, safe working environment free from discrimination,
harassment and victimisation.
In doing so, we recognise the importance of the protected characteristics stated in
the Equality Act 2010, which are:-
age
disability
gender
gender re-assignment
marriage and civil partnership
pregnancy and maternity
race or ethnic origin
religion and belief
sexual orientation.
In addition, we recognise the importance of other characteristics which might need
protection from discrimination such as caring responsibilities, appearance, unrelated
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criminal activities, HIV/AIDS, or social class. By recognising these characteristics we
believe these groups can make a positive difference to our mission and vision.
We aim to provide and deliver services which meet the needs of the community and
are relevant, appropriate and accessible to all sections of the communities we serve,
and to create an environment where diversity is valued and embraced by our staff,
our suppliers and customers alike.
We recognise that we have a role to play in reducing the disadvantages that people
experience, by making our services more accessible and responsive to individual
and community needs and, where appropriate, we will take positive action to address
and overcome these disadvantages and discrimination suffered by sections of the
community.
We will strive, therefore, to be pro-active in achieving an outstanding model of
equality and diversity practice, by involving and listening to our customers, staff and
other partners in the development, piloting, monitoring, reviewing and changing of
our services, which is key to improving resident satisfaction with services and
ultimately the quality of residents’ lives, within their homes, neighbourhoods and
workplace.
Implementation
In implementing this policy, the Company will:
continually listen and learn from our key stakeholders to ensure that we
provide fair and equal services to the diversity of customers;
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ensure that equality and diversity is an integral part of strategic and
operational decisions;
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identify relevant Key Performance Indicators for equality and diversity and
reporting progress to the Board and residents;
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appoint a Board member as Equality and Diversity Champion;
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work in partnership with, and consulting with, the neighbourhoods we serve in
order to combat disadvantage, discrimination, and exclusion;
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ensure there is zero tolerance towards cases of harassment and bullying,
ensuring victims of harassment and discrimination are supported, and that
effective action is taken against perpetrators;
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ensure that promotional materials and information convey a positive image of
disadvantaged groups;
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provide appropriate training for all Board and staff members at least every five
years or as and when necessary; and
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ensure the policy is regularly reviewed, updated, monitored and adequately
publicised.
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