Clients Equal Opportunities Policy

Aim

The aim of Cavendish Homecare is to ensure that our clients are always treated fairly and with dignity and equality, free from discrimination and prejudice.

Policy

In this organisation:

• The ethos of care will always be based upon inclusion, equality, diversity and compassion.
• The race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, skin colour, language, disability, faith or belief of clients will never be used in making decisions about who should be offered a service by the organisation or as a reason for excluding someone from receiving a service.
• No client will be provided with inferior or superior care, treatment or services because of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, skin colour, language, disability, or on any other grounds on which discrimination can occur.
• The diversity of the organisation’s client population, as well as its staff population, will be celebrated as bringing a richness of background, history and experience that, the organisation believes, can only benefit everyone working in the organisation.
• Every client has a right to be treated fairly, equally, and with respect as an individual regardless of their race, ethnic background, language, culture, faith, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability or any other aspect that could result in their being discriminated against purely because they have such characteristics.
• Cavendish Homecare Professionals will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind directed towards its clients by staff and will take action in every single case. This includes abusiveness, insults, name calling, ‘jokes’, suggestive comments, and the use of racial or culturally insulting nicknames.
• All incidences of discrimination, bias, prejudice or favouritism on the part of staff will be challenged and addressed through training and supervision wherever possible. Where relevant these may amount to misconduct or even abuse and will lead to disciplinary action.
• We will ensure that all staff are aware of, understand and recognise how the social and cultural diversity, values and beliefs of our clients may influence their decisions and how they want to receive care, treatment and support.
• People who use our services, or others acting on their behalf, will be given encouragement, support and opportunities to raise specific needs or to express concerns relating to equality, diversity and human rights. This may include support via an advocate or advocacy service.
• Staff will provide care and reduce the risk of clients’ receiving unsafe or inappropriate care, treatment and support by making reasonable adjustments, wherever required, to reflect their needs, values and diversity.
• Training in equality and diversity will be provided as a mandatory topic for all new staff during induction. All existing staff will be expected to have attended at least one training session on equality and diversity and to attend updates as required. Training will be designed to address a range of issues around discrimination and prejudice including attitudes of staff.
• Any complaints from clients or their families of discrimination on the part of staff or volunteers will be thoroughly investigated and acted upon without exception.
• Managers will be expected to be able to demonstrate an awareness and knowledge of diversity and human rights and will be expected to apply in practice the competencies to support people’s diverse needs and human rights.

Management duties

Managers in the organisation have a duty to:

• Demonstrate effective direction and leadership in this area, acting as a role model for other staff by at all times acting in a non-discriminatory, fair and respectful manner.
• Ensure that this policy is implemented in all areas of the organisation at all times.
• Ensure that this policy is regularly reviewed and updated.
• Monitor the incidence of complaints and reports of discrimination or harassment to look for trends and patterns and to take appropriate action based on that analysis.

Staff duties

Staff in this organisation have a duty to:

• Treat all clients fairly, equally and to a high standard.
• Relate to all clients, and to one another, on the basis of equality and respect for diversity and for individual differences.
• Develop an attitude of self-awareness to ensure any form of discriminatory behaviour, such as inappropriate jokes or offensive or abusive language, does not occur.

Applicability and scope

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers and contractors without exception. All staff have responsibility for ensuring that they work within the remit of this policy and in the manner in which they have been trained.

Responsibilities

Responsibility for the implementation, monitoring and review of this policy lies with the management of the organisation.

Date: January 2024

Version: 6 (Review)

Source: Expert Care Manager