Inclusivity and Diversity

Introduction

The purpose of this policy is to make sure that the service is fully committed to the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion, and to communicate this commitment to all stakeholders.

This policy should always be referred to wherever differences of view based on lack of understanding or prejudice about diversity, equality and inclusion are evident.

The commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion is instrumental in many aspects of SweetTree’s practice including our capacity to provide a responsive service to meet diverse needs and corresponding staff recruitment and selection.

Aims of the Policy

1. To ensure that no person applying for a service will be refused on discriminatory grounds, e.g. because of their ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion etc. when they meet all other admission criteria

2. To ensure that sub-standard services are not provided because of a person’s ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or any grounds on which discrimination can occur

3. To ensure each client has the opportunity to communicate clearly what they want, need, and how they will be provided with the required service. This will be influenced by the individual’s gender, culture, personal choices and other characteristics; it should not be assumed everyone wants the same thing.

4. To encourage clients and staff to relate to one another based on equality and respect for individual differences.

5. To develop an attitude of self-awareness amongst the staff and clients to ensure any form of discriminatory behaviour, such as offensive or abusive language, does not occur and to communicate that it is unacceptable in whatever form it might take and from whichever person.

6. To ensure that clients and staff are continuously aware of the procedures for dealing with complaints and allegations of offensive, discriminatory, or oppressive language or behaviour.

7. To ensure that all complaints and allegations are addressed properly and in non-discriminatory ways.

Policy and Procedure

This policy applies to anyone receiving a service from SweetTree.

Equality, diversity and inclusion means that every client — adult or child —will be treated equally and without discrimination. This is regardless of the individual’s ethnic background, language, culture, faith, gender, age, sexual orientation or any other aspect that could result in their being discriminated against purely because they have such characteristics SweetTree aims to celebrate differences between individuals. SweetTree does not tolerate treating people unequally and recognises that treating people unequally can result in their losing their dignity, respect, self-esteem, self-worth, and hinders their ability to make choices.

SweetTree does not assume that equality, diversity and inclusion principles and policies apply only to clients. Clients must also respect the ethnicity, culture, religion, gender and any disabilities of staff and not discriminate against them on any of these grounds when expressing their views and preferences.

SweetTree makes clear that it finds unacceptable any form of racist and similar discriminatory behaviour from any source. SweetTree also builds these policies into its external contractual relationships.

Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

SweetTree expresses its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion by:

1. respecting ethnic, cultural and religious practices

2. reassuring all that their diverse backgrounds enhance the quality of experience of the service

3. accepting everyone as individuals, not as cases or stereotypes

4. involving clients to express their individuality and to follow their preferred lifestyle, also helping them to celebrate events, anniversaries or festivals which are important to them as individuals

5. showing positive leadership and having management and human resources practices that actively demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity principles

6. developing an ethos throughout the care service that reflects these values and principles

7. expecting all staff to work to equality and diversity principles and policies and to behave in non- discriminatory ways at all times.

8. providing training, supervision and support to staff enabling all to work in inclusive and non-discriminatory ways.

9. having a code of conduct that makes any form of discriminatory behaviour unacceptable; this is applicable to both staff and clients and is rigorously observed and monitored accordingly.

10. carrying out regular assessments of the impact of our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion on the agency’s policies, clients and service provision generally