Our duties
Equality is about recognising and respecting diversity and
difference, and treating individuals with respect and
consideration. Diversity is about creating relationships and
an environment in which people can thrive. We recognise the
importance of creating an environment where all our differences are
recognised and valued.
As a public body, the Trust has a number of statutory duties to
undertake in order to comply with legislation for all sections of
society - to people of different races, people with
disabilities and non-disabled people, men and women, regardless of
sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and belief (or
absence of) and appropriate to all age groups. The core areas
of equality are:
- Race
- Gender (including gender identity)
- Disability
- Age
- Sexual orientation
- Religion or belief
The Single Equality Scheme
The trusts Single Equality Scheme sets out
our commitment to meet statutory duties placed on us by equality
legislation, the Race Relations Act (Amendment) Act 2005, the
Disability Discrimination Act 2005 and the Sex Discrimination Act
2006. The scheme also incorporates actions on age, religion
and belief, sexual orientation and human rights. The scheme
replaces the trusts previous Race, Disability and Gender Equality
Schemes. The Single Equality Scheme supports our commitment
to equality of opportunity and the provision of an inclusive
culture, where all people are treated with respect and
dignity.
The Scheme is monitored as part of the bi-annual Equality and
Diversity report for the Trust Board. Download the latest Equality and
Diversity Trust Board report
Workforce Monitoring Information
Equality legislation also requires us to collect a range of pre
and post employment information. We monitor by age,
disability, ethnicity and gender of:
- Staff in post and promotions
- Applicants for jobs
- Leavers
- Training courses accessed
- Grievances
- Disciplinaries
- Appraisals
To view this information for April 2009 - March 2010,
please download our Diversity Monitoring
data for job applications with the Trust and Annual Workforce Monitoring
report , along with information on the number of staff grievances dealt
with during that year. You can also view diversity information for staff
currently employed at the Trust.
Training
The Trust uses the NHS Core Learning Unit on-line Equality and
Diversity programme "Respect for People". The programme
covers why people and organisations should value diversity; gives
recent diversity facts; challenges stereotypes; gives principles of
discrimination legislation and consequences of getting diversity
wrong; and stresses the importance of respecting people and their
differences. Staff are also required to undertake an
interactive test and receive specific training relating to Equality
Impact Assessments and diversity issues. Equality and
diversity principles also underpin our people management and
customer care training.
Equality Impact Assessments
The Trust has a duty to undertake Equality Impact
Assessments. These assessments provide a systematic method of
ensuring our legal obligations are met and are an opportunity to
scrutinise new and existing policies, services and functions to
determine what effect they may have on any of the equality and
diversity domains.
A guide to Equality Impact
Assessments (PDF)
A list of policies can be seen in the list below, along
with some of our Equality Impact Assessments.
