Equality & Diversity

Surestart Homes is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We are dedicated to promoting equality of opportunity and delivering services that are free from unfair and unlawful discrimination. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that no job applicant or employee is treated less favourably on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, or is disadvantaged by requirements or conditions that cannot be justified. Additionally, this policy seeks to ensure that no individual is subjected to victimisation, bullying, or harassment.

Surestart Homes values the diversity of its employees, recognising the unique perspectives and experiences that individuals bring to the workplace. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, training, deployment, career development, and promotion. These areas are closely monitored, and our policies and practices are regularly reviewed and amended to ensure that no unfair or unlawful discrimination occurs, whether it be intentional or unintentional, direct or indirect.

The HR Manager is responsible for implementing and overseeing the equality and diversity policy. As part of this responsibility, all personnel policies and procedures are managed with the aim of promoting equality of opportunity and eliminating any form of unfair or unlawful discrimination.

All employees, whether part-time, full-time, or temporary, will be treated with fairness and respect. Employment decisions, including those related to selection, promotion, and training, will be based on aptitude and ability. We are committed to helping every employee develop their full potential, ensuring that the talents and resources of our workforce are fully utilised to maximise the efficiency of Surestart Homes.

Promoting equality, valuing diversity, and complying with the law benefits everyone at Surestart Homes by fostering a more skilled and capable workforce. While managers and supervisors have specific responsibilities to eliminate discrimination and ensure equal opportunities, it is the duty of all employees to treat one another with dignity and respect. The personal commitment of every employee to this policy is crucial in achieving equality throughout the organisation.

Our Commitment as an Employer

We are committed to:

  • Creating an environment where individual differences and contributions are recognised and valued.

  • Ensuring that every employee, worker, or self-employed contractor enjoys a workplace that promotes dignity and respect. Intimidation, bullying, or harassment of any form will not be tolerated.

  • Providing training, development, and progression opportunities to all staff.

  • Recognising that equality in the workplace is not only good management practice but also makes sound business sense.

  • Regularly reviewing all our employment practices and procedures to ensure fairness.

Our Commitment as a Service Provider

We are committed to:

  • Delivering services to all clients without discrimination based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, past criminal offences, caring responsibilities, or social class.

  • Ensuring that our services meet the diverse needs of our clients and service users.

  • Fully supporting this policy with backing from senior management and in agreement with employee representatives.

  • Selecting candidates for employment, promotion, training, or any other benefit based solely on aptitude and ability.

  • Monitoring and reviewing this policy annually.

  • Providing clear procedures for clients, job candidates, and employees to raise grievances or complaints if they believe they have been treated unfairly.

  • Treating breaches of this equality and diversity policy as misconduct, which may lead to disciplinary action.

  • Encouraging all staff to seek assistance with any issues, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances, including matters such as domestic abuse or caring responsibilities.

Ex-Offenders

We are committed to preventing discrimination against employees based on their offending background, except where there is a known risk to children or vulnerable adults.

Equal Pay

We will ensure that all employees, regardless of gender, are entitled to the same contractual pay and benefits for performing the same work, work rated as equivalent, or work of equal value.

Unconscious Bias

We recognise the risks of unconscious bias in the workplace, where assumptions may be made about individuals based on personal views or experiences without conscious awareness.

Unconscious bias can manifest in various forms, from favouring those with similar backgrounds to overemphasising perceived negative traits.

Surestart Homes will actively work to eliminate unconscious bias in all employment decisions, including recruitment, promotion, and training opportunities, while promoting diversity and inclusion.

To combat unconscious bias, Surestart Homes will implement the following measures:

  • Conduct blind recruitment processes.

  • Avoid asking personal questions during job interviews.

  • Ensure a diverse panel makes employment decisions.

  • Base recruitment decisions on specific job criteria.

  • Disregard any favourable personal relationships between staff members.

  • Make decisions collaboratively between HR and management.

  • Equal Opportunity Policy Statements

Age

  • We will ensure that individuals of all ages are treated with respect and dignity.

  • We will provide equal access to employment, training, development, and promotion opportunities for people of working age.

  • We will challenge discriminatory assumptions about younger and older people.

Disabilities

  • We will provide reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people can access our services and employment opportunities.

  • We will challenge discriminatory assumptions about disabled people.

Race

  • We will challenge racism wherever it occurs.

  • We will respond swiftly and sensitively to racist incidents.

  • We will actively promote race equality.

Sex

  • We will challenge discriminatory assumptions about both women and men.

  • We will take positive steps to address the negative effects of discrimination against both women and men.

  • We will offer equal access to representation, services, employment, and training for both women and men.

Gender Reassignment

  • We will support and prevent discrimination against transgender individuals who have undergone or are undergoing gender reassignment.

  • We will prohibit and address all instances of discrimination, whether from colleagues or external parties.

Sexual Orientation

  • We will consider the needs of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals in our policies and practices.

Religion or Belief

  • We will respect and accommodate employees’ religious beliefs and observances wherever possible.

  • We will respect others’ beliefs as long as they do not infringe on the legitimate rights of others.

Pregnancy or Maternity

  • We will treat all individuals with respect and dignity and promote a positive image regardless of pregnancy or maternity status.

  • We will challenge discriminatory assumptions about pregnancy or maternity.

  • We will ensure that no individual is disadvantaged and will consider the needs of employees who are pregnant or on maternity leave.

Marriage or Civil Partnership

  • We will treat all individuals with respect and dignity and promote a positive image regardless of their marriage or civil partnership status.

  • We will challenge discriminatory assumptions about marriage or civil partnerships.

  • We will ensure that no individual is disadvantaged and will take into account the needs of employees in a marriage or civil partnership.