Equality schemes

All public bodies have a legal duty to put in place equality schemes on race, disability and gender to underpin their commitment to promote equality.  The Equality Scheme model is also a useful one for other non profit organisations.

The public duty is, in effect, legislation which is deliberately designed to bring about ‘mainstreaming' of equality. It is about ensuring that equality is not a separate ‘add on', but an integral part of how an organisation goes about all its activities - certainly in relation to employment, but also in relation to policy making and service delivery, access to information and services, public image and confidence, as well as procurement decisions and partnership arrangements, and community relations.

In other words, it is about institutional change - getting the concept of inclusion into the bloodstream of your organisation.

What Equality Schemes cover

Equality schemes are developed around your organisation's key functions.  By and large they are likely to address six main areas:

• Service delivery 
• Policy development       
• Employment of staff      
• Procurement     
• Communication
• Lead responsibility

Research suggests that where lead responsibility for an equality scheme is with the chief exectutive or board, plans are more likely to be integrated with corporate strategic planning.  This makes real mainstreaming more likely.  Organisations most advanced with operational implementation of their equality scheme, however, are usually those with an equality specialist in the lead.

What we offer

The Centre's diversity team can help you put in place a diversity scheme or schemes.  We have worked with the Equality and Human Rights Commission on equality schemes and have in-depth knowledge of  the law (including the differences between the legal duties, the Human Rights Act), public sector ethos and procedures and how to develop and implement a scheme. We will help you with:

• Initial screening
• Impact assessment
• Consultation and involvement of stakeholders
• Drafting scheme and drawing up an Action Plan

Contact Pam Henry on 020 7490 3030 or pam.henry@the-centre.co.uk.

Diversity training and consultancy
If you want to put diversity at the heart of your organisation, the Centre's team of equality and diversity specialists can help you achieve this goal.

Diversity audit

Diversity awaydays

Diversity strategy development

Diversity communication

Diversity communication

Diversity coaching
Our trainers can provide coaching for managers who want to develop their skills in managing a diverse team and individuals who want to build their skills and confidence.

The Equality Act 2010
There has never been a more significant time for an individual or organisation to review their policies, practice, attitudes, behavious and organisational culture.

Action Learning Sets
Action learning is a great way to develop ownership and commitment to equality and diversity. We have facilitated diversity action learning for a number of clients, with groups of staff looking at key issues for the organisation and making recommendations.

Equality Impact Assessment
All public authorities and organisations providing a public service will need to conduct an Equality Impact Assessment. This programme is designed to help you understand Equality Impact Assessments and how to conduct and implement them in your organisation.

Equality and diversity for grant making charities and trusts
If you are a charity, grant making trust or foundation, your aims may well be to enable, empower and ensure individuals and communities have access to the service, information and resources you provide.

Working towards an Equality Standard
If you are responsible for equality and diversity and working towards an equality standard or an inspection visit, the Centre may be able to help you!