Equal Opportunities Policy

Introduction

Heart of Hope recognizes that many individuals and groups are likely to experience disadvantage, discrimination and harassment in one or other aspects of their lives. This denies
them basic human rights and an equal chance in education, training, and job opportunities. This policy is designed to raise awareness of the issues which affect people's lives and to encourage staff to work in ways which alleviate the effects of disadvantage and discrimination.

Statement of Intent

There are many issues which affect opportunities for people in Cornwall, especially in relation to unemployment, poverty, homelessness and cultural identity. Heart of Hope also recognises that barriers exist between individuals and groups which prevent their participation in its activities.

Therefore, Heart of Hope is committed to:

• Offering a service that is free from prejudice and discrimination and strives for equality of opportunity for all people.
• Opposing unjust discrimination and to taking positive action to promote and extend opportunities for those individuals and groups which are affected by discriminatory practices.

This Policy

• Acknowledges and addresses the effects of discrimination for anyone who has, or is likely to have a call on the service and facilities of Heart of Hope.
• Supports the belief that to discriminate unjustly against anyone is a denial of human rights which demeans us all.
• Recognises the need to ensure quality of opportunity in what Heart of Hope offers to individuals and groups, in the management of the organization and in employment practices.

Heart of Hope:

• Will ensure that all staff are trained to provide a fair, and professional, high quality and welcoming service to all people.
• Will examine and monitor its practice to ensure it provides the service people want, through consultation with individuals and groups from local communities.
• Will make itself accessible to all people in local communities by giving information about its services in the most appropriate form.
• Will work to raise awareness of the organization, staff and users regarding the various forms of discrimination and will encourage the promotion of measures to combat it.
• Will strive to be a model of good equal opportunities practice and will work with other organisations which similarly promote good practice.
• Will regard all forms of unjust discrimination, abuse, harassment and professional misconduct by its staff as contrary to good practice and will undertake to deal with them apparently.
• Will provide equal opportunities training for all staff.
• Will take action to improve opportunities for disabled people in our workforce; make buildings easier for people with disabilities to work in and will provide aids and adaptations to help people with disabilities use its service.
• Is committed to targeting groups which suffer disadvantage as a priority, even while resources remain scarce.
• Will recruit staff solely on their ability to do the job and is committed to fair recruitment and selection procedures. Staff who are likely to be involved in recruitment and selection procedures will be given appropriate training.
• Recognises that family responsibilities prevent many people entering work or reaching their full potential. Job Share, flexible time arrangements and other schemes such as childcare, parental leave and carer breaks will be sought to support people who have caring responsibilities.
• Will provide safe and welcoming working environments and will inspect its buildings on a regular basis to ensure current health and safety regulations are adhered to.
• Will apply constant monitoring to ensure that policies are working in practice, will revise out-dated policies and design and implement new policies as circumstances demand.
• Will provide resources, training and encouragement to enable people to play an active role in the organisation to influence policies and practice.