How we deliver equality
Achieving the highest level of the Equality Standard for Local
Government has been critical to delivering our commitment.
The Standard is a nationally recognised framework which we have
used to measure our progress to mainstreaming diversity and
equality. In March 2009 we were re-assessed against the
Standard and the report produced by our assessor set out strengths
and areas for improvement which have informed this year's Plan. In
September 2009 the Equality Standard was replaced by the
Equality
Framework for Local Government. We have now set ourselves
the target of reaching a rating of ‘Excellent’ under the new
Framework and will be assessed in winter 2010.
Our commitment is supported by a number of
legal duties that require us to promote equality and eliminate
discrimination. These provide important tools to help further
embed diversity and equality in the culture of the
organisation. We believe we have a strong moral and social
duty to recognise that discrimination takes place, that tensions
can sometimes exist between different communities, and to do
everything we can to challenge prejudice and discrimination and
promote better understanding and respect.
We recognise that delivering this commitment
can only be achieved through building sustainable
partnerships. We will deliver our commitment by:
- building on our good practice
- involving all sectors of our community in the design, review
and scrutiny of our service delivery and employment practices
- promoting information and access to our services in accessible
ways
- carrying out Equality Impact Assessments of new and existing
policies and practices to make sure that they will not discriminate
against anyone
- delivering services which are appropriate, flexible and
responsive to the needs of the community
- removing barriers which deny people access to our services
- using our powers to make sure that organisations providing
services on our behalf work in line with this policy
- promoting an environment which gives all residents an equal
chance to learn, work and live free of discrimination and
prejudice
- developing a workforce which reflects at all levels the
community we serve
- making sure that all employees and Councillors know the effects
of this policy and are provided with appropriate training
- making sure that all employees (and the resident communities)
know about their rights of protection from discrimination,
harassment or bullying
- developing and promoting policies which give everyone equal
access to employment and related opportunities
- setting performance targets so we can measure our
progress.
Our Diversity and
Equality Action Plan explains how we will deliver upon our
commitment each year. We will regularly review, assess and
evaluate our progress and address any areas of under-performance
and weaknesses in policy and practice.
Contact us:
Scrutiny and Equality Team
Chief Executive’s Directorate
Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 2BG
Tel: 020 7364 5347