Promoting Equality and Diversity

The Service is committed to delivering care and providing services that are inclusive and non-discriminatory. This includes (but is not limited to) not discriminating (directly or indirectly) on the basis of a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010:

• Age;
• Disability;
• Gender reassignment;
• Marriage and civil partnership;
• Pregnancy and maternity;
• Race;
• Religion or belief;
• Sex;
• Sexual orientation;
• In Durham we have also adopted Care Experience as a Protected Characteristic.

Crimes committed against someone because of their disability, transgender-identity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation are hate crimes and should be reported to the police.

Hate crimes can include:

• Threatening behaviour;
• Assault;
• Robbery;
• Damage to property;
• Inciting others to commit hate crimes;
• Harassment;
• Online abuse.

You can report hate crime online.

In addition:

1. We encourage young people to develop respect for themselves and for others;
2. We deliver services that recognise and build on the strengths of young people from all cultures, religions, gender, age, sexual orientation, ability and backgrounds; in ways that meet their needs and help them to achieve their full potential;
3. Supported lodgings providers should ensure every effort is made to ensure that homes are welcoming to all young people and others who may visit. In addition to this, supportive resources are used with young people and chosen for their suitability, positive image and anti-oppressive nature;
4. Young people are offered opportunities to try out new experiences, which are not restricted by traditional gender options;
5. Supported lodgings providers are expected to challenge attitudes, behaviour and language that are non-inclusive and discriminatory, in a positive way. This includes bullying, homophobic behaviour, racism, sexism, radicalisation and any other forms of discrimination (direct or indirect);
6. Young people are supported and encouraged to be respectful of differences.

1. All our young people are offered caring families, opportunities for education and spending time with their friends and people who are important to them;
2. Young people are encouraged and supported to understand their rights and are well-informed about ways of challenging discrimination;
3. Supported lodgings providers are expected to identify local community resources that contribute to meeting the needs of young people - these are highlighted and promoted and where they do not meet required needs alternatives are sought and suitably identified regardless of geographical location;
4. Additional support accessed through supervision and training will be offered to supported lodgings providers who are finding difficulty in understanding diverse or complex situations for young people.

1. Our service will not discriminate, in making decisions;
2. Promotion and advancement will be made on merit and all decisions relating to this will be made within the overall framework and principles of this policy;
3. Job descriptions, where used, will be revised to ensure that they are in line with our equal opportunities policy. Job requirements will be reflected accurately in any person specifications;
4. We will adopt a consistent, non-discriminatory approach to the advertising of the vacancies;
5. We will not confine our recruitment to areas or media sources, which provide only, or mainly, applicants of a particular group;
6. All applicants who apply for jobs with us will receive fair treatment and will be considered solely on their ability to do the job;
7. All employees involved in the recruitment process will periodically review their selection criteria to ensure that they are related to the job requirements and do not unlawfully discriminate;
8. More than one person will carry out short listing and interviewing where possible;
9. Interview questions will be related to the requirements of the job and will not be of any discriminatory nature;
10. We will not disqualify any applicant because they are unable to complete an application unassisted unless personal completion of the form is a valid test of the standard of English required for the safe and effective performance of the job;
11. Selection decisions will not be influenced by any perceived prejudices of other staff.