Equality and diversity is a fundamental part of everything we do, and is embedded in our day-to-day work. This ensures we meet the needs of diversity groups among our residents and staff and ensure they are treated fairly. 

We recognise that our member associations operate in a widespread geographical area, which means the communities we work in are very diverse.  Therefore, we have to fully embrace diversity across all parts of the business by making sure that it becomes an integral part of everybody’s job, and by making sure our services are fair and accessible to all residents.

What is equality and diversity?

Understanding the diversity of people we interact with is a key factor in fairness and providing equal opportunities in everything we do from designing new homes to interviewing for employment. 

The law states that we must do all we can to operate equally and fairly.  We should not treat any one differently because of their:

• race 

• sex 

• sexual orientation (whether being lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual 

• disability (or because of something connected with their disability)

• religion or belief 

• being a transsexual person (transsexuality is where someone has changed, is changing or has proposed changing their sex - called 'gender re-assignment' in law)

• having just had a baby or being pregnant

• being married or in a civil partnership (this applies only at work or if someone is being trained for work), and

• age (this applies only at work or if someone is being trained for work) 

How are we applying equality and diversity in the workplace?

We apply our equality and diversity values to staff recruitment, training and development.  Our HR department is introducing a new ‘Managed Recruitment Service’ which will further our work around equality and diversity issues.

How are we applying equality and diversity in our work with residents?

We are addressing equality and diversity within our communities by:

• resident profiling (asking our residents if they have specific needs related to age, diability etc.) to understand where diversity groups are

• the Disability Equality Scheme, to promote equality for our disabled residents

• resident engagement to ensure equal involvement in the business

• equalities forums to understand the needs of diversity groups and monitor our progress, and

• employment opportunities through the Construction Links programme

• undertaking independent quality audits.