Equal Opportunities Policy

Family Rights Group is committed to providing equality of provision in the services it provides and in its employment practices. We believe that children and their families should have a greater say and influence over decisions about their lives and services they need or use, and have access to such support so that, wherever possible, children can remain safely and securely within their own family.

Family Rights Group recognises the characteristics protected by the Equalities Act 2010: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and sex. We recognise that individuals and groups face other forms of discrimination, including discrimination related to care experience, class and socio-economic status, and gender. Family Rights Group further recognises that there is both direct discrimination and indirect discrimination.

We seek to promote the full participation by families in decisions regarding their children, and the full participation by families in the planning, delivery and evaluation of services. It is also our aim to promote the development of legislation, policy and practice which supports a genuine partnership between families and the agencies working with them.

Family Rights Group promotes equality of opportunity with regard to service delivery and employment. This is reflected in our actions, our recruitment and employment policies, our contracts with external consultants and our service standards, which fully comply with equalities legislation and are regularly reviewed by our Board of Trustees.

We are committed to supporting the development of all our staff, including through effective induction, supervision, management, team and organisational events, and training opportunities.

We recognise that developing our equal opportunities policies and practice is an ongoing process, and we continue to monitor and review all aspects of our work, so as to:

• promote the provision of accessible and appropriate services for all sections of the community;
• ensure we promote and apply equal opportunities in our employment and our work.

We have developed an Equalities Framework which sets out commitments and priorities in relation to the promotion of equalities in all aspects of our organisation and work.