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Sandwell Homes Ltd
Dartmouth House
Sandwell Road
West Bromwich
B70 8TQ
Tel: 0121 569 6000
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Equality
Equality Standards
Introduction
The Equality Standard is a systematic process for mainstreaming gender, race and disability equality into the employment practice, service planning and service delivery.
The Equality Standard was developed on a joint basis by the:
- The Employers Organisation for Local Government
- The Commission for Racial Equality
- The Equal Opportunities Commission
- The Disability Rights Commission
- The Audit Commission
The Equality Standard sets out a level by level checklist for getting the system set up and running, recognising that it will take time, resources and commitment to get these systems in place
The Equality Standard framework establishes five levels of achievement within four key areas of process:
- Leadership and Corporate Commitment
- Leadership and Corporate Commitment
- Consultation and Community Development
- Service Delivery and Customer Care
- Employment and Training
Levels of achievement within each area are:
Level 1 - Commitment to a Comprehensive Equality Policy
To achieve Level 1 of the Standard we must adopt a comprehensive equality policy that commits us to achieving equality in race, gender and disability through:
- Improving equality practice at both corporate and department level
- Earmarking specific resources for improving equality practice
- Equality action planning and equality target setting within all departments and service areas
- Systematic consultation
- A fair employment and equal pay policy
- Requirement assessment
- Progress monitoring
- Audit and scrutiny
Level 2 - Assessment and Consultation
To achieve Level 2 of the Standard we will need to demonstrate that we:
- Have engaged in an impact needs/requirements assessment
- Have engaged on consultation with designated community, staff and stakeholder groups
- Have engaged in the development of information and monitoring systems
- Have engaged in an equality action planning process for employment, pay and service delivery
- Are developing a system of self-assessment, scrutiny and audi
Level 3 - Setting Equality objectives and Targets
To achieve Level 3 of the Standard we will have to demonstrate that:
- We have completed a full and systematic consultation process with designated community, staff and stakeholder groups
- We have set equality objectives for employment, pay and service delivery based on impact and needs/requirements assessment and consultation
- Equality objectives have been translated into Action Plans with specific targets
- We are developing information and monitoring systems that allow us to assess progress in achieving targets
- Action on achieving targets has started
Level 4 - Information Systems and Monitoring against Targets
To achieve Level 4 of the Standard we will have to demonstrate that:
- We have developed information and monitoring systems that allow us to assess progress in achieving targets
- We are measuring progress against targets and effectively using our information and monitoring systems
- Monitoring reports are being produced at specific intervals ad circulated to designated consultation and scrutiny groups
- Monitoring systems are providing useful information about progress towards specific targets
Level 5 - Achieving and renewing Outcomes
To achieve Level 5 of the Standard we will have to demonstrate that we have made considerable progress in achieving equal employment and service provision with regards to race, gender and disability. We will need to show that:
- We have achieved progress towards the targets that we set at Level 3
- We have reviewed and revised targets, monitoring and consultation systems with designated community, staff and stakeholder groups
- We have initiated a new round of action planning and target setting
- Through our achievements we can be seen as an example of good practice for other local authorities and agencies.
The Equality Standard establishes the importance of fair treatment and equal treatment and access to local government services and employment. The adoption of the standard is not a statutory duty, however, it was introduced by the Government as a Best Value Performance Indicator (BV2) from April 2002.
Introducing and implementing the Equality Standard would demonstrate equality compliance and good practice requirements for Sandwell Homes. The standard whilst acknowledging the specific barriers and needs for race, gender and disability, establishes specific targets and actions towards a more systematic and robust approach for promoting equality. It provides a common framework for mainstreaming equality.
The standard seeks to encourage equality as a corporate goal to ensure that continuous improvements are implemented in all levels of the organisation. The standard therefore places considerable emphasis on the establishment of key processes within Sandwell Homes.
There is no statutory duty to adopt the Equality Standard. However, good practice in the provision of public service demands that equality and diversity issues are vigorously and proactively managed.
Sandwell Homes is legally required to ensure compliance with all equalities legislation in summary covering:
- Race Relations
- Sex Discrimination
- Disability Discrimination
Working to the framework of the Equality Standard will support the development and management of equality in employment and service delivery of Sandwell Homes.
Related Documents
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