Tackling inequality and exclusion, ensuring services are accessible and our recruitment and employment practices fair.
What is diversity?
Diversity is any and all of the elements of similarity or difference between people, whether these be visible or hidden (such as disability, gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, belief, culture, nationality, national origin, age, sexual orientation, caring responsibilities, rural and urban isolation, poverty: the list is limitless). These can enhance or inhibit effective interaction between people, depending on our reaction to each of these elements.
What is our approach to diversity?
We value the range of different people in Suffolk, but recognise some can be disadvantaged and discriminated against both as an employee and a service user. We are committed to advancing equality, valuing diversity and opposing unfair treatment. We aim to ensure that our services are accessible and our recruitment and employment practices fair.
Equality of opportunity and freedom from discrimination is a fundamental right and we will execute leadership in promoting this right within our community.
How we promote equality of opportunity
- Assess how our policies and actions could affect marginalised and disadvantaged groups, identify any potential for adverse impact and consider any necessary remedial action.
- Monitor the implementation of policies and programmes to ensure they meet the needs of marginalised and disadvantaged groups.
- Provide adequate training and development for staff on equalities and their rights, together with those of our customers.
- Publicise the council’s commitment to equality for all, both internally and externally.
- Review and update, as appropriate, our equalities policies in employment and service delivery.
Diversity Group
Our equality and diversity work is overseen by the Diversity Group. The group is chaired by the Corporate Director for Community and is made up of councillors and staff from different parts of the council. It reports the Policy Development Committee. In addition to the Diversity Group, we are represented on the Suffolk Joint Diversity Working Group and other county and regional diversity groups.
Think Access Group
Our Think Access Group was established in 1996 as a way of encouraging closer working links with members of our community who are disabled in any way or experience learning difficulties. The group aims to raise staff awareness in respect of service provision and promote a fuller understanding of disability issues. To find out more about TAG, contact Karen Cattle phone 01284 757623 or email karen.cattle@stedsbc.gov.uk
