SINGLE EQUALITY SCHEME STATEMENT

Introduction

BCHA is firmly committed to overcoming discrimination and improving equality.

We seek to be fair in all our dealings and we value the benefits of diversity in service delivery, community life and employment. 

One of our main aims is:

“to ensure the future community sustainability of Beechdale by actively participating with local people and organisations in the creation of a safe and healthy environment and improving people’s life chances”.

To enable us to do this we will promote equality of opportunity by giving you the chance to achieve your potential, free from prejudice and discrimination.

We recognise the compelling business case for building an inclusive approach to you as customers and employees and to being pro-active in ensuring that you are treated fairly.  

We aim to ensure a properly ‘joined-up’ approach to delivering our commitments. Equality and diversity is an integral part of our mainstream activities, not a separate area.

What is a single equality scheme (SES)?

Our SES demonstrates our commitment to equality and diversity by setting out how we will:

·         promote equality

·         promote community cohesion

·         ensure that we are providing the right services in the right ways to meet your needs, our existing and future customers

·         ensure that we meet our obligations as an employer and promote equal opportunities.

What does it cover?

There are 7 main areas or strands relating to our commitment to equality and diversity:

·         Gender Equality

·         Race Equality

·         Disability Equality

·         Sexual orientation

·         Transgender

·         Religion or belief

·         Age Equality

Our scheme covers all these areas across our key activities.

What will we do?

The SES demonstrates how we plan to:

§ ensure our services and employment practices are provided and delivered in a fair and equitable way

§ establish and maintain a good understanding of you, our service users, so we can develop high quality services to meet your current and future needs

§ promote equality of opportunity

§ eliminate discrimination and harassment

§ promote positive attitudes and community cohesion

§ take steps to meet disabled people’s needs, even if this requires more favourable treatment

§ recruit and retain the best staff, competing for talent from the broadest pool

§ monitor progress in achieving our targets

§ record outcomes and publish details.

 

What activities does it cover?

Our SES covers all our activities in relation to how we:

·         deal with our customers
 ·         let our homes
·         manage your tenancy
·         collect your rent
·         deal with anti-social behaviour, hate crime and harassment, including racial harassment
·         carry out repairs
·         improve your homes, including aids and adaptations
·         look after the estate
·         involve you
·         run our business
·         deal with our staff.

We will share our SES with our key partners, such as Morrison.

How can you monitor our performance?

 We will report quarterly to our tenants’ Diversity Interest Group. We will also publish performance information in our reception and on our website and we will include it in our annual report to you.
 
How can I complain?
 
 If you need to complain about being treated unfairly in any way please speak to any member of BCHA staff on the number below.
 
How do I find out more?
 
 If you would like more information or a full copy of our SES, please contact BCHA on 01922 648252 or email enquiries@beechdaleha.org.uk
 
 

April 2010