Equality and Diversity

Society today is made up of diverse individuals of varying ages, sexes and sexual orientations, race and ethnic backgrounds, physical abilities and faiths. 

Diversity is about recognising that people are individuals and that each person has characteristics that shape their unique identity. 
Recognising the differing values and needs will ensure that we deliver equality of opportunity and that our services are accessible to all members of society.

To achieve equality and diversity we will:

• Treat people as individuals with consideration and respect for their needs;
• Provide services and opportunities that are open to everyone;
• Provide a welcoming, supportive and safe environment for both employees and Customers;
• Commit to developing an organisational culture that values everyone and the individual contributions that they make;
• Provide appropriate training and development opportunities to enable the effective delivery of our services;
• Ensure that in developing policies and procedures we inform and consult Customers, employees and their representatives; 
• Encourage the recruitment of employees from diverse sections of the community;
• Influence other employers and agencies ensuring they are aware of their responsibilities under the relevant legislation and through this help to create a culture that encourages and promotes diversity;
• Regularly monitor and review the impact of Company policies and services in order to identify changes and implement improvements;
• Incorporate equality actions and targets into the operational planning across all departments and services;
• Accept our responsibilities and work within the requirements set out in all relevant legislation;
• Ensure that when consulting Customers about proposed policy and service delivery changes, written material is made available in a variety of formats and languages;
• Ensure job advertisements, job titles and person specifications are written in such a way that no applicant is deterred from applying for the position; and
• Ensure that all staff and members involved in the selection process receive appropriate training on Equality & Diversity issues.
  
  If you have any questions concerning Equality and Diversity, please contact Tom McQuaid to find out more.
  

 

Celebrating Diversity

Did you know that Coastline Housing is a member of the West Cornwall Diversity Forum?

Coastline sits on this forum alongside a variety of other local organisations including the Police, Volunteers Centre, Social Care, Gay Health, BME Community Workers, Stonham and others.

Our representative, Jane Pulley, attends the bi-monthly meetings to keep Coastline's finger on the pulse of any diversity or discrimination issues occurring in Cornish communities that need to be addressed. The group also aims to raise awareness of the diverse communities within Cornwall by supporting events such as Gay Pride within the county.

The group is still fairly new, but is growing fast and proving to be a lively forum for debate and exchange of knowledge.

Anyone who would like more information can contact Jane on 08082 027728.

 

Positive about disabled people!

Coastline Housing has signed up to be a user of the disability symbol. This means that we have worked with Job Centre Plus to demonstrate that we are committed to employing disabled people and will:

Interview all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and consider them on their abilities

Ensure there is a mechanism in place to discuss, at any time, but at least once a year, with disabled employees what can be done to make sure they can develop and use their abilities

Make every effort when employees become disabled to make sure they stay in employment

Take action to ensure that all employees develop the appropriate level of disability awareness needed to make these commitments work

Each year, review the five commitments and what has been achieved, plan ways to improve on them and let employees and Jobcentre Plus know about progress and future plans