Equality and diversity
Shape Housing Association is committed to
equality and diversity.
We have a group-wide equality and diversity strategy which aims
to achieve equality of opportunity for our increasingly diverse
customer and employee population and to provide excellent services
that meet the needs and preferences of the individual. Our
strategic goal reflects our intention to be excellent in this area,
driving us to meet the Audit Commission’s 3 star standard.
Equality and diversity are very closely related to each other.
It is not possible to afford people full equality of opportunity
without being aware of the diversity of their circumstances. This
includes taking account of not only the differences that are
visible, but also those that are invisible. Differences that may
not be immediately apparent but which may manifest themselves in
distinctive cultures, lifestyles or language and can take a number
of forms.
The dimensions of difference that most commonly come to mind
are:
- race
- age
- gender
- disability
- religion; and
- sexual orientation.
Our strategy seeks to address these inequalities, but we should
not confine our attention to these factors alone. People also
differ according to income levels, lifestyle, the kinds of
relationship they form, the types of households and areas they live
in, and this list is by no means exhaustive. Embracing diversity
and promoting equality of opportunity means being sensitive to all
these differences in the way that we manage our business.
Equality and diversity impacts on every aspect of the work we
do. It is integral to the access to and the type of services we
provide and how we provide them. It drives the recruitment
development and retention of staff. It influences our
relationships with stakeholders, partners and the people we do
business with and the communities we work in. Our strategy makes
sure that anyone has the chance to receive our services if they
need them (or to work with us, if they want to), and in a way
tailored to their own needs and preferences, not a ‘one size fits
all’ approach.
Our strategy provides the framework to support active leadership
to embed equality and diversity into all areas of our work and
enable everyone involved to know what their responsibility is in
achieving equality and celebrating diversity.
Disability & Gender Equality Schemes
Our Disability Equality Scheme describes how Somer Housing Group
will be proactive in ensuring that disabled people are treated
fairly.
The purpose of the Gender Equality Scheme is
to demonstrate our commitment to eliminating discrimination and to
promoting equality of opportunity between men and women.
Download the Disability
Equality Scheme.
Download the Gender Equality
Scheme.