Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy

Policy Statement

AESN Care is committed to equality, inclusion, dignity and respect for both employees and people receiving care and support. Discrimination, harassment and victimisation are not acceptable. Services and employment practices will take account of individual needs, reasonable adjustments, cultural identity and communication requirements.

1. Introduction

AESN Care supports people with different abilities, backgrounds, identities, beliefs, communication needs and life experiences. Equality is therefore central to person-centred care and fair employment.

2. Purpose

The purpose is to prevent unlawful discrimination, promote inclusion and ensure that people receive fair and respectful treatment.

3. Scope

This policy applies to recruitment, employment, training, supervision, promotion, service delivery, care planning, communication, complaints and interactions with people we support, families, representatives and professionals.

4. Policy Objectives

• Prevent discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
• Promote dignity, respect and inclusion.
• Provide reasonable adjustments where required.
• Support culturally sensitive and person-centred care.
• Ensure fair employment practices.
• Make services accessible where reasonably possible.

5. Definitions

Protected characteristics are those identified by the Equality Act 2010. Discrimination may be direct or indirect and may also include harassment and victimisation. A reasonable adjustment is a change made to reduce a substantial disadvantage experienced by a disabled person.

6. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy reflects the Equality Act 2010, relevant human-rights principles and applicable adult social care requirements. The Human Rights Act 1998 and relevant accessibility and communication requirements will be considered where applicable.

7. Roles and Responsibilities

• Management is responsible for promoting equality and addressing concerns.
• Managers must consider adjustments and inclusive practice.
• Staff must treat people respectfully and challenge discriminatory conduct appropriately.
• People we support should be involved in decisions about their care and communication needs.

8. Policy Requirements / Principles

• No person should receive poorer care because of a protected characteristic.
• Care should reflect individual preferences, cultural needs and communication requirements where practicable.
• Recruitment and employment decisions should be based on objective, relevant criteria.
• Reasonable adjustments should be considered for disabled people.
• Bullying, harassment and victimisation are unacceptable.
• Dignity and privacy must be protected.

9. Procedures

Individual needs should be identified through appropriate assessment and care planning. Where a person has communication, sensory, mobility, cultural or religious requirements, staff should work with the person and relevant professionals or representatives to identify suitable support.

Employees who experience or witness discrimination should raise the concern through management, grievance or whistleblowing routes as appropriate. Concerns affecting people we support should also be considered under safeguarding procedures where relevant.

10. Reporting and Escalation

Serious discrimination, abuse, harassment, victimisation or discriminatory safeguarding concerns should be escalated promptly. Immediate risks should be addressed without delay.

11. Records and Documentation

Relevant adjustments, complaints, incidents and actions will be documented appropriately and securely.

12. Training and Competence

Staff should receive equality, diversity, dignity and inclusion training appropriate to their role, including awareness of discrimination and reasonable adjustments.

13. Monitoring and Compliance

Management may monitor complaints, workforce information, feedback, training and service quality to identify inequality or barriers.

14. Breaches / Non-Compliance

Breaches may result in management, disciplinary, safeguarding or other appropriate action.

15. Equality, Diversity and Human Rights

This section is fundamental to the policy: AESN Care will seek to protect dignity, autonomy, privacy, family and community relationships, communication and freedom from discriminatory treatment.

16. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Information about disability, health, religion, ethnicity or other sensitive matters will be handled lawfully and confidentially.

17. Related Policies and Procedures

• Safeguarding Policy
• Quality Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Data Protection Policy
• Disciplinary, Dismissal & Grievance Policy

18. Review and Continuous Improvement

Feedback, complaints, equality concerns and service learning will inform improvements to practice.

19. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed periodically and following significant legislative or service changes.

Related Policies

• Safeguarding Policy
• Quality Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Disciplinary, Dismissal & Grievance Policy

Review Arrangements

This policy will be reviewed by AESN Care Management at appropriate intervals and sooner where there is a significant change in legislation, regulation, service delivery, risk, guidance, learning from incidents or complaints, or organisational arrangements. Review findings and resulting actions will be documented.

Approval

Approved by: AESN Care Management