EQUALITIES - OUR PROMISE:                                                                                           

"We will recognise and promote the importance of equality, diversity and human rights to ensure an inclusive approach in the creation of stronger, more resilient communities."

We recognise that everyone is different. The Compact seeks to recognise and appreciate the value of diversity that exists in Wiltshire and in our society generally, aiming specifically to promote the inclusion of groups and individuals within our communities that are under-represented, disadvantaged or excluded.

The organisations signed up to the Wiltshire Compact work together to address issues such as rural and social isolation and socio-economic disadvantage. This Promise supports opportunities for as many people as possible within Wiltshire to be involved in the work of our organisations and in their communities. It includes signposts to other resources which provide advice or guidance on meeting the needs of people, including those with protected characteristics according to the Equality Act 2010. These are:

JOINT UNDERTAKINGS

We all undertake to:
• work to foster good relations within and between communities and people;
• include equality and diversity as a key requirement in all new policy development. We will demonstrate that we have done this by providing evidence of:

• accessible services and activities;
• trained staff and volunteers;
• involvement of disadvantaged groups in planning at the earliest opportunity;

• talk to as many and as diverse a range of people as possible;
• ensure that equality and diversity is taken into consideration when funding agreements are developed;
• conduct equality impact assessments - and then take action in any areas which are shown to need further development – to continually improve access to services and activities;
• support under-represented, disadvantaged or excluded groups or individuals;
• promote fair employment practices in recruitment, selection, retention, management, training and development and introduce employment monitoring mechanisms which can measure these;
• ensure compliance with up-to-date legislation, and to promote good practice that goes beyond minimum legal requirements (taking account of limited resources where necessary);
• specifically and actively promote and encourage ongoing partnership links in order to share training/resources/expertise where appropriate;
• promote community cohesion by celebrating equality and diversity.

POLICIES AND LEGISLATION

This Promise links to existing laws and ways of working and should be used in conjunction with any other guidance available for the promotion of equality and diversity. Partner organisations should be aware of their responsibilities under both United Kingdom and European legislation on equalities and human rights issues. Each organisation will have its own policies and procedures regarding equalities that comply with the relevant legislation.
In addition, from April 2011 the public sector has to comply with the new public sector equality duty.

USEFUL INFORMATION

• ‘Equal Chances, Better Lives’;
• The Equalities Framework for Local Government;
• The Equalities Framework for the NHS ‘The Vital Connection’;
• The Equalities Framework for fire services;
• The Equality Standard for police services;
• The Equalities Standard, from Equalities South West;
• Extensive communication toolkits and case studies available at www.idea-knowledge.gov.uk;
• Government Equalities Office and Equality & Human Rights Commission guidance on the Equality Act 2010.


                                                                                                                                   

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE WILTSHIRE COMPACT HERE.                                                                                                                                                                                    back to the top