Equality and Diversity Policy

Introduction
This policy sets out the commitments of United In The Community (UITC) in respect of promoting the principles of equal opportunities and ensuring equality of access to its activities and services.

UITC expects its Trustees, volunteers and staff to act within the conditions of this policy, also within the general philosophy of equal opportunities.

This policy and the associated arrangements shall operate in accordance with statutory requirements. In addition, full account will be taken of any guidance or Codes of Practice issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, any Government Departments, and any other statutory bodies.

Principles
UITC is committed to the principle of equal opportunities and to ensuring equality of access to its activities and services. It is opposed to all forms of unlawful, unfair discrimination or victimisation.

UITC recognises the following protected characteristics:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender Reassignment
• Marriage and Civil Partnership
• Pregnancy and Maternity
• Race, including national identity and ethnicity
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual Orientation

UITC recognises that valuing diversity and making best use of the different experiences and ideas that individuals bring will give strength. It is committed to using a flexible and responsive approach to ensuring equality of access to its activities and services and meeting the diverse needs of young people.

Our Commitment

• To create an environment in which individual differences and the contributions of all our trustees/volunteers/staff/users are recognised and valued.
• Every trustee/volunteer/employee is entitled to a working environment that promotes dignity and respect to all. No form of intimidation, bullying or harassment will be tolerated.
• Training, development and progression opportunities are available to all staff.
• To promote equality in the workplace which we believe is good management practice and makes sound business sense.
• We will review all our employment practices and procedures to ensure fairness.
• Breaches of our equality policy will be regarded as misconduct and could lead to disciplinary proceedings.
• This policy is fully supported by Trustees.

Responsibilities
The UITC Board will be responsible for overseeing the implementation and monitoring of the policy.

Everyone involved with UITC has a clear role to play in helping to create a fair environment and developing an equality culture. They can contribute to preventing unfair treatment through an awareness of and sensitivity to equality issues and by ensuring appropriate standards of conduct for themselves and for others.

It is recognised that whilst much can be achieved through the development of policies, practices and procedures to eliminate unlawful and unfair discrimination, real progress towards equality of opportunity requires a programme of action which involves the commitment and participation of all those involved.

Genuine equal opportunity therefore requires a commitment to the policy from everyone.

Implementation
UITC will ensure equality of access to its activities and services by:

• providing information in accessible formats, and support to access and understand that information where appropriate
• distributing information through a range of locations, networks and methods
• providing appropriate support for people to participate
• asking people if they have specific access needs

UITC will develop a culture based on the principles of equal opportunities by:

• stating its commitment to equal opportunities in publicity and promotional activity
• publishing and communicating the policy to all involved with UITC
• ensuring staff employed by  UITC  receive appropriate training to enable them to make best use of this policy within their own area of work and promote the principles of equal opportunities to others
• encouraging all those involved with UITC to challenge discriminatory behaviour within the organisation
• ensuring all other UITC policies and procedures support the delivery of this policy and the general principles of equal opportunities through both the design and review of policies

Monitoring
UITC is committed to an efficient monitoring system to review and evaluate progress towards the achievement of equality of access to its activities and services.

In particular, UITC will collect and analyse information regarding the diversity of everyone involved with the organisation. Where inequalities are identified, UITC will develop specific strategies to overcome these.

Where appropriate equality impact assessments will be carried out on the results of monitoring to ascertain the effect of UITC policies and services may have on those who experience them.

UITC will also monitor the frequency and nature of any reported incidences of discrimination or harassment, in order to identify further actions to ensure that this policy is truly embedded in its culture.

Footnote:
This policy was reviewed/ approved by trustees on 04/01/2022.This policy will be reviewed every two years as part of UITC wider policy/procedure review. Should there be changes in relevant legislation it may need to be reviewed earlier.

Trustees - Russell Cheasley (Chair), Caroline Preedy, Chris Oleksy

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