Equality, Diversity and Rights

Contents

1. Equality and Diversity for Children and Young People
2. Inclusion for Children and Young People - Staff Responsibility
3. Disability Discrimination

1. Equality and Diversity for Children and Young People

1. We encourage children and young people to have the right to be treated with fairness, equality, dignity, and to develop respect for themselves and for others;
2. b. We deliver services that recognise and build on the strengths of children and young people from all cultures, religions, gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, backgrounds and across all protected characteristics (as defined in the Equality Act 2010); in ways that meet their needs and help them to achieve their full potential;
3. Every effort is made to ensure that communities are welcoming to all children/young people and others significant in their care and wellbeing; this effort is reflected in the communication around the community, including where appropriate: posters, information boards, displays and leaflets. In addition to this, resources used to develop work with children and young people are chosen for their suitability and anti-oppressive nature;
4. Children/young people are offered opportunities to try out new experiences, which are not restricted by traditional gender options;
5. Children/young people have the right to express their views freely in all matters affecting them;
6. Staff are expected to challenge attitudes, behaviour and language that are non-inclusive and discriminatory, in a positive way;
7. Registered Managers are expected to monitor the range of children and young people placed within the community in terms of ethnicity, gender and disability. This is to ensure the service provision is reaching all and not creating barriers to certain groups.

2. Inclusion for Children and Young People - Staff Responsibility

1. Staff should promote good practice with regard to children's rights;
2. All children/young people are given the opportunity to be cared for and educated. Where possible this is alongside their peers in order to develop their full potential; 
3. Children/young people are encouraged and supported to understand their rights and be well-informed about ways of challenging discrimination;
4. Registered Managers are expected to identify local community resources that contribute to meeting the needs of individuals - these are highlighted and promoted and where they do not meet required needs alternatives are sought and suitably identified regardless of geographical location, for example hairdressers who specialise in caring for African Caribbean hair;
5. Children/young people are cared for by staff who have been suitably trained in all aspects of equality and diversity including legislation and their responsibilities;
6. Registered Managers ensure that assessments of the child/young person and the family's specific needs are carried out with an aim to support and develop their full potential;
7. Registered Managers are expected to examine ways in which diversity can be valued and activities adapted to meet the individual child's/young person's needs including food preparation and menu choices;
8. Staff are expected to acknowledge the importance of maintaining a link between the child/young person's home and the children's home in meeting the individual's need;
9. Staff are expected to offer appropriate support to aid inclusion and ensure that the child/young person can fully participate in the community's activities. If necessary, staff are expected to seek additional support in order to do this;
10. Additional support is offered to children/young people who are encountering difficulty in understanding diverse or complex situations;
11. Staff should balance listening to children/young people whilst not overlooking or abstaining from their own responsibility in relation to the needs of the same children;
12. Children/young people should be enabled to express their views about the services and if necessary to be supported by an Independent Advocate, should they wish to complain.

3. Disability Discrimination

We believe in providing a welcoming, comfortable and accessible environment that is safe and easy to use for children/young people, parents, relatives, staff, visitors and other users of the premises. We will endeavour to achieve equality of opportunity for all to ensure equal access to facilities. Where possible, we will avoid physical features that make it difficult for people with a disability and make reasonable adjustments to improve the environment.