Equality and Diversity

This procedure summarises the local authority's commitment to provide inclusive and equal services to a diverse range of children and young people, and to promote equality and diversity as part of our recruitment and employment practices. The local authority will not discriminate (directly or indirectly) against any persons and recognises protected characteristic’s under the Equality Act 2010:

• Age;
• Disability;
• Gender reassignment;
• Marriage and civil partnership;
• Pregnancy and maternity;
• Race;
• Religion or belief;
• Sex;
• Sexual orientation.

In addition:

• We encourage children to develop respect for themselves and for others;
• We deliver services that recognise and build on the strengths of children and young people; in ways that meet their needs and help them to achieve their full potential;
• Every effort is made to ensure that services are welcoming to all children and young people and others significant in their care and wellbeing. Resources used to develop work with children and young people are chosen for their suitability, positive image and anti-oppressive nature;
• Children are offered opportunities to try out new experiences, which are not restricted by traditional gender options;
• Staff and foster carers are expected to take a restorative approach to challenging exclusionary and/or discriminatory attitudes, behaviours and language;
• Children are protected, and helped to keep themselves safe, from forms of discrimination. Any discriminatory behaviours (direct or indirect) are challenged with a focus on development;;
• Managers are expected to monitor the range of children and young people supported in terms of protected characteristics. This is to ensure the service provision is reaching all and not creating barriers for certain groups.

• All children are given the opportunity to be cared for and educated in order to develop their full potential;
• Before making any decision affecting a child, due consideration is given to the child's wishes and feelings (having regard to the child's age and understanding), and religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background;
• Children are encouraged and supported to understand their rights and be well-informed about ways of challenging discrimination;
• Staff are expected to identify local community resources that contribute to meeting the needs of individual children and young people.;
• Assessments of the child/young person's specific needs are carried out with an aim to support and develop each child to reach their full potential;
• Children are cared for by carers who have been suitably trained in all aspects of equality and diversity including legislation and their responsibilities;
• Carers are expected to examine ways in which diversity can be valued and activities adapted to meet the individual child's needs including food preparation and menu choices;
• Additional support is offered to carers, staff and/or children who are finding difficulty in understanding diverse or complex situations.