Diversity & Equality
Southdown aims to be a leading organisation for promoting equality and diversity both in our service delivery and as an employer. We are committed to ensuring that all staff and service users feel welcome and are not discriminated against or treated unfairly.
We recognise that certain groups and individuals in society are disadvantaged because of discrimination experienced as a result of colour, race, nationality, belief or religion, physical or mental disability, health status, marital status, sex, sexuality, trade union activity, caring responsibilities, criminal convictions unrelated to the job, age or class.
Southdown believes that such direct or indirect discrimination is wrong and will ensure that our policies and practices provide equal treatment for everyone. Adherence to our Diversity and Equality Policy is a condition of service for staff, who all receive related training.
We have a Diversity and Equality strategy to state our overall aims and the standards we work to, and we have an active monitoring programme to check we are doing what we say we do. We also have an annual plan for new initiatives to be implemented during the year.
1. Our policy, strategy and the legal context on diversity is consistently understood by our Board members, staff, service users and other stakeholders
2. We demonstrate clear leadership and good governance on diversity
3. We have a Board and staff composition which reflects the community we serve and understands the issues of diversity
4. We will understand and integrate equality and diversity issues in our service developments
5. We will have a comprehensive understanding of our current and future service user base
6. We will ensure fair and equal access to our services
7. All tenants and service users from the range of our diverse communities are able to be involved in Southdown to the level they desire
8. We will seek to promote community cohesion and social cohesion by understanding and working with other organisations in the area
9. We will ensure our procurement policies reflect our Diversity and Equality policy.
10. We will ensure the Diversity and Equality plans and processes are well regulated and understood.