What do we mean by ‘equality’ and why is it important?

Equality We are all of equal value. Treating people fairly. Helping people to overcome things that might hold them back.

Why is equality important? Increasing diversity of East Sussex Inequality in outcomes Safeguarding – feeling confident to challenge Gender issues e.g. Female genital mutilation, domestic violence, gender stereotyping Prejudice-based bullying Important to funders Supporting the development of a positive sense of identity, self esteem Legislation/Ofsted

Equality Act 2010 Harmonises and streamlines existing legislation. Protection against discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Protected characteristics: Age. Disability. Gender reassignment. Marriage and civil partnerships. Pregnancy and maternity. Race. Religion or belief. Sex. Sexual orientation.

Direct Discrimination Treating someone less favourably than others because of a protected characteristic Example: A youth group decide not to take a child with behavioural difficulties on a trip to Chessington.

Indirect discrimination When a person with a protected characteristic is put at a disadvantage because of a rule or practice. Example: A school requires male pupils to wear a cap as part of the uniform. This is applied equally to all pupils but means that Sikh boys who are required by their religion to wear a turban cannot attend the school.

Reasonable adjustment duty A requirement to take reasonable steps to avoid substantial disadvantage where a provision, criteria or practice puts a disabled person at a substantial disadvantage. Example: The charity sends a monthly newsletter out to registered families by . A parent with a visual impairment requests a hard copy. The charity provides him with a hard copy of the newsletter.

Harrassment Engaging in unwanted behaviour which is related to a relevant protected characteristic which has the purpose or effect of; Violating a person’s dignity Creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading humiliating or offensive environment for the person. Example: A Traveller child overhears his youth worker saying to a colleague ‘bloody pikeys, they are trouble, they leave a mess and steal your stuff, when are they going to shut that site down?’

Good Practice Knowing the community Monitoring access/take up by equality groups Analysing feedback by equality groups Analyse outcomes by equality groups Actively encourage participation/access of equality groups Diverse resources Make information accessible or in other languages/formats Recording hate incidents and bullying Actively challenge prejudice and discrimination Anti-bullying/equality policy Proactively discuss bullying, prejudice and discrimination with the children and young people Training for staff on equality issues Staff/volunteers that reflect the community

‘The problem is not how to wipe out all differences but how to unite with our differences intact‘ Rabindranath Tagore. Any other feedback or questions: