EQUALITY POLICY

1.1 Unicare Support believes that all people have a right to services and Employment which are free from discrimination on the grounds of age, class, gender, nationality, religion, disability, marital status, race or sexuality.

1.2 Unicare Support aims to ensure that equality and diversity principles underpin all areas of the organisation’s work and service provision.

1.3 Unicare Support recognises that many people and groups suffer discrimination and face serious barriers when trying to fulfil their true potential. It also recognises that not all forms of unreasonable and unfair discrimination are the subject of legislation. It is the aim of this organisation to take positive steps to redress discrimination, to improve equality of opportunity and to combat any unreasonable or unfair treatment which places people at a disadvantage for any reasons.

1.4 Unicare Support will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying, victimisation or abuse of people who are members of the organisation, members of the governing body, service users, and volunteers.

2.1  The directors of Unicare Support has ultimate responsibility for the equality and diversity policy.

2.2  The “Equality and Diversity Statement” above shall be displayed, visible to members, service users and visitors.

2.3  Unicare Support grievance and disciplinary procedures will be used to deal with any complaints about discrimination, harassment or bullying involving staff, students and volunteers.

3.1  Unicare Support aims to ensure that its services are accessible to all sections of the community served by Unicare Support.

3.2  Unicare Support will adopt a policies and procedures that include objectives with regard to equality and diversity.

4.1  Unicare Support will regularly evaluate its services and the effectiveness of its equality and diversity policy, by a variety of means.

4.2  Monitoring may be carried out by Unicare Support to provide the data for this regular evaluation. For instance, Unicare Support may ask service users, job applicants, volunteers about their ethnic origin, disability, marital status, age or other personal information.

5.1 Unicare Support commitment to equality and diversity is an active one. This document should be amended on a regular basis as part of this active commitment.

5.2 Unicare Support equality and diversity policy will be reviewed annually.

5.3 Unicare Support will also seek to keep abreast of new developments in Equality and Diversity practice and actively seek information on this issue.

This policy will be implemented within the framework of the relevant legislation, which includes:

• Equal Pay Act 1970 (Equal Value Amendment 1984)
• Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
• Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Gender Reassignment Regulations 1999)
• Race Relations Act 1976
• Disability Discrimination Act 1995
• The Protection from Harassment Act 1997
• Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000
• Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendment) Regulations 2003
• Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003
• Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003
• Disability Discrimination Act 2005
• Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006