Equality & Diversity Policy

Download our Equality & Diversity Policy

Download our Equality & Diversity Action Plan 07-08

First Choice Homes Oldham believes that everyone should be treated equally and fairly regardless of their race, ethnic origin, nationality, religion, cultural background, sex, sexuality, disability, domestic circumstances, illness, age, employment status, membership of trade unions or political beliefs. FCHO is committed to the concept and practice of equality of opportunity and to combating discrimination, direct or indirect, through our policies and procedures covering admission to the housing register, allocation of housing, provision of services, Board membership and structure, and employment practices. FCHO are committed to taking positive steps to help redress the effects of discrimination and disadvantage, ensuring that equality of opportunity is integral to all our activities.

FCHO recognises that people who provide and use its services come from many diverse backgrounds, with varying experiences and needs. The purpose of the policy is to ensure that, in everything it does, FCHO promotes diversity and equality of opportunity, eliminates discrimination, and brings about positive change for those experiencing disadvantage. It provides a framework for good practice in developing equality of opportunity and access in both FCHO’s workforce and in relation to the services it delivers to the community.

Policy Aim

The policy aims to ensure that no-one receives less favourable treatment because of race, ethnic origin, nationality, religion, cultural background, sex, sexuality, disability, domestic circumstances, illness, age, employment status, membership of trade unions or political beliefs.

The general aims of the Policy are to:

  • Identify and eliminate unlawful discrimination;
  • Promote good practice in equality of opportunity in the organisation’s activities; and
  • Ensure that the organisation’s commitment to equality is widely known and understood, and communicated to those people with whom we work or to whom we provide services.

The specific aims are to work with our partners and key stakeholders:

  • As a service provider, to deliver quality services, which meet the particular needs of individuals, families and communities;
  • As an employer, to have a workforce, who are representative of the community it serves; to value and use the diversity of its staff; to strive to be a place where people want to work; to be a leader in good practice in this area and to ensure fair treatment and equality of opportunity to all.
  • As a community leader, to champion equality of opportunity, challenge racism and all forms of discrimination, and contribute to making Oldham a place where people live together safely in peace, respect and friendship;
  • As a major procurer and commissioner of services, to use its spending power to influence other organisations in promoting equality of opportunity.

In doing this, FCHO undertakes to:

  • Meet its legal obligations under relevant legislation;
  • Treat everyone fairly, and with respect for their culture, values and beliefs;
  • Operate in an open and accountable fashion;
  • Encourage and enable the involvement of people in decisions, which affect them.
  • Go beyond the law and incorporate areas of best practice in Equalities

FCHO reviews and updates on its Equality & Diversity Policy annually by reporting to FCHOs Main board and Community Cohesion Working Group committee. FCHO marks the achievement and progress of the action plan and sets new targets for the year ahead. This helps to ensure that Equality & Diversity is both monitored and updated in relation to legislation and organisational needs.

For more information on the Equality & Diversity Policy, please contact us direct on 0161 770 3586

What do we mean by Equality?

Equality is about ensuring people are not unfairly discriminated against and giving everyone the same opportunities.

What do we mean by Diversity?

Diversity is about respecting and valuing differences whether they are visible or not, regardless of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, or any other differences.

Diversity is about recognising that not all people are the same but that people have different skills, experiences, backgrounds and knowledge to offer that are equally valuable.