Statement of Principle This policy aims to communicate the commitment of the Trustees and members to the promotion of equality of opportunity at Born to be Beautiful. It is our policy to provide equality of membership to all, irrespective of Gender, including gender reassignment. Marital or civil partnership status. Having or not having dependents. Religious belief or political opinion. Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, being an Irish traveller). Sexual orientation. Age. Physical and intellectual ability. We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. All members of the organisation will be treated fairly and will not be discriminated against on any of the above grounds. Born to be Beautiful is committed to ensuring equal opportunity to all candidates on all courses, all the clients of the establishment and the staff of Born to be Beautiful regardless of their role. Decisions and selection for office, training or any other opportunities will be made objectively, without unlawful discrimination, and based on aptitude and ability. Equal opportunities will be integrated into all planning, procedures and course resourcing. All promotional material, course schemes and display items will not reinforce stereotypes and will reflect the diversity of society. Our equal opportunities policy will help members to develop their full potential and the talents and resources of all will be utilised fully to maximise the effectiveness of the organisation. We recognise that the provision of equal opportunities in all our activities will benefit the organisation. We recognise that there is a statutory duty under the NI Act 1998, to implement an equal opportunities policy. This policy applies to applicants for employment and volunteers. The requirements of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Race Relations Act 1976, the Employment (Disabled Persons) Acts of 1944 and 1948 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 will be respected and any amendments or extensions. We are committed to the principles and practice of Equality. We value the diversity of all populations. We want our services, facilities and resources to be accessible and useful to every citizen regardless of gender, age, ethnic origin, religious belief, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other individual characteristic which may unfairly affect a person’s opportunities in life. Equality Commitments We are committed to: Promoting equality of opportunity for all people. Promoting a good and harmonious learning environment in which all men and women are treated with respect and dignity and in which no form of intimidation or harassment is tolerated. Preventing occurrences of unlawful direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Fulfilling all our legal obligations under the equality legislation and associated codes of practice. Complying with our own equal opportunities policy and associated policies. Taking lawful affirmative or positive action, where appropriate. Breaches of our equal opportunities policy will be regarded as misconduct and could lead to termination of membership. This policy is fully supported by the Chair and the Trustees and was adopted by the band on September 2011. Implementation The Chair and Trustees have specific responsibility for the effective implementation of this policy. We expect all members to abide by the policy and help to create an equal environment which is its objective. To implement this policy we shall: Communicate the policy to members by issuing an induction leaflet. We will endeavour through appropriate training to ensure that it will not consciously, or unconsciously, discriminate in the selection or recruitment of applicants for membership of the group. Incorporate specific and appropriate duties in respect of implementing the equal opportunities policy into the roles and responsibilities of committee members. Incorporate equal opportunities notices into general communications practices (e.g. announcements, annual reports at annual general meetings, notices and newsletters). This policy will be read out to all members at each annual general meeting. Ensure that adequate resources are made available to fulfil the objectives of the policy. Monitoring and Review We will establish appropriate information and monitoring systems to assist the effective implementation of our equal opportunities policy. The effectiveness of the equal opportunities policy will be reviewed regularly (at least annually) and action taken as necessary. Encouragement will be given to discuss any concerns over these issues when they occur. A process will be in place to allow these concerns to be fully and confidentially discussed. Support and advice will be available to help those concerned to understand the problems and take steps to resolve them. Complaints In the first instance any problems should be brought to the attention of the responsible person. Members who believe that they have suffered any form of discrimination, harassment or victimisation are entitled to raise the matter through the agreed procedures. A copy of these procedures is available from Born to be Beautiful. All complaints of discrimination will be dealt with seriously, promptly and confidentially. Every effort will be made to ensure that members who make complaints will not be victimised. Any complaint of victimisation will be dealt with seriously, promptly and confidentially. Victimisation will result in disciplinary action and may warrant dismissal. Complaints from members of the public will be dealt with under agreed procedures a copy of these procedures is available from Born to be Beautiful.
Date: …………………………………….. Signature: ……………………………. Born to be Beautiful