Policy statement

We will ensure that our service is fully inclusive in meeting the needs of all users, particularly those that arise from their ethnic heritage, social and economic background, gender, ability or disability. The Balham Community Centre is committed to anti-discriminatory practice to promote equality of opportunity and valuing diversity for all users. We aim to:

• provide an environment in which all contributions are considered and valued;

• include and value the contribution of all users to our understanding of equality and diversity;

• provide positive non-stereotyping information about gender roles, diverse ethnic and cultural groups and disabled people;

• improve our knowledge and understanding of issues of anti-discriminatory practice, promoting equality and valuing diversity; and

• make inclusion a thread that runs through all of the activities of the Balham Community Centre.

Procedures

Admissions

Our services are open to all members of the community.

• We advertise our service widely to the local community.

• We reflect the diversity of our society in our publicity and promotional materials.

• We provide information in clear, concise language, whether in spoken or written form.

• We base our admissions policy on a fair system.

• We ensure that all users are made aware of our equal opportunities policy.

• We do not discriminate against anyone, or prevent entry to our services, on the basis of colour, ethnicity, religion or social background, such as being a member of a Travelling community or an asylum seeker.

• We do not discriminate against a user with a disability or refuse entry to our services for reason relating to disability.

• We take action against any discriminatory, prejudice, harassing or victimising behaviour by staff or users.

• We will not tolerate behaviour from an adult who demonstrates dislikes or prejudice towards individuals who are perceived to be from another country (xenophobia).

• Displaying or openly discriminatory xenophobic and possibly offensive materials, name calling, or threating behaviour are unacceptable on or around the premises and will be dealt with immediately and discreetly by asking the adult to stop and inviting them to read and act in accordance with the relevant policy statement and procedure.

• Failure to comply may lead to the adult being excluded from the premises

Employment

• Posts are advertised and all applicants are judged against explicit and fair criteria.

• Applicants are welcome from all backgrounds and posts are open to all.

• We may use the exemption clauses in relevant legislation to enable the service to best meet the needs of the community.

• The applicant who best meets the criteria is offered the post, subject to references and checks by the Criminal Records Bureau. This ensures fairness in the selection process.

• All job descriptions include a commitment to promoting equality and recognising and respecting diversity as part of their specifications.

• We monitor our application process to ensure that it is fair and accessible.

Training

• We seek out training opportunities for staff and volunteers to enable them to develop anti-discriminatory and inclusive practices.

• We review our practices to ensure that we are fully implementing our policy for promoting equality, valuing diversity and inclusion.

Valuing diversity in families

• We welcome the diversity of family lifestyles and work with all families.

• We encourage children to contribute stories of their everyday life to the club.

• For users who speak English as a second language, we will develop means to ensure their full inclusion.

Definitions:

Direct discrimination takes place when a person is treated less favourably than others (in the same circumstance) on the grounds of race, colour, national origin, sex, marital status, sexuality, class, religious belief, or disability.

Indirect discrimination means applying a condition or requirement which adversely affects one particular group considerably more than another, and can not be strictly justified in terms of the requirements for performing the job, or the requirements of the Centre service. For example, flexibility should be shown in joining procedures for people with disabilities. Adult Literacy users, English as a Second Language students.

Racial discrimination is discrimination on the grounds of colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or national origins. All members of the staff are expected to be aware of forms of racism at personal and institutional level and are committed to guard against them, and to avoid any action which might influence others to discriminate.

Sex discrimination is the discrimination on the grounds of a person's sex or marital status. Balham Community Centre is committed to countering discrimination against women in all its forms.

Discrimination on the grounds of sexuality occurs when a person is discriminated against on the grounds of not being heterosexual, but either gay or lesbian. It should be recognised that discrimination against lesbians and gay men is more complicated by the fact that they are not necessarily identifiable. The Centre is committed to countering discrimination on the basis of sexuality or sexual orientation.

Harassment is defined as repeated, unreciprocated and welcome comments, looks, actions, suggestions or physical contact that is found objectionable and offensive, and that might threaten an employee's job security, or create an intimidating work environment. Any harassment of any employee within the Centre is not acceptable, whether these acts are committed by members of the public or by colleagues.

Nor will the Centre's Board of Trustee’s condone any acts of harassment by employees against members of the public.

Balham Community Centre's Board of Trustee’s is committed to grievance, disciplinary and other staff code procedures which will provide proper redress.

Actions

• All policies will be written and pursued in a way consistent with paragraph of this paper the aim expressed in the second and the need to avoid and eradicate discrimination and harassment will be taken into account in all statements of policy, in all project plans and activities.

• The intention to, ‘promote actively equality of provision’, shall be understood to include taking positive actions to involve persons, or members of groups, otherwise excluded marginalised, or simply under represented among our, user group; the only exceptions being groups which exist to promote values and activities which counter those expressed in this policy, for example those promoting the oppression of others.