Vision : Provider of Choice Mission : Changing lives through meeting our customers’ aspirations

1. Equality and Diversity update Gemma Bradley (Standards and Innovation Manager) Vision : Provider of Choice Mission : Changing lives through meeting our customers’ aspirations

2. E&D Update The Story So Far… Equalities Act Initial Observations E&D Group update Next Steps Vision : Provider of Choice Mission : Changing lives through meeting our customers’ aspirations

3. E&D: The Story So Far… • E&D Strategy developed in 2010 • EIAs of Equity’s services • E&D working group set up May 2010 • E&D Board / Exec champions established Vision : Provider of Choice Mission : Changing lives through meeting our customers’ aspirations

4. E&D: Why do we care? • We want to • Provider of choice • Best Companies • Equity’s values • We have to • Equalities Act 2010 • TSA (HCA) Regulation Vision : Provider of Choice Mission : Changing lives through meeting our customers’ aspirations

5. E&D and regulation • TSA Standard – Tenant Involvement and Empowerment • Expectation that providers treat people in a fair manner irrespective of their background • Annual reports should demonstrate how we are meeting the needs of diverse communities • Equalities Act - Public sector duty (general) Vision : Provider of Choice Mission : Changing lives through meeting our customers’ aspirations

6. Equalities Act 2010 • Brings together race, gender and disability equality duties • Proportionate approach according to size • Protected characteristics • Gender • Race / ethnicity • Disability • Age • Religion or belief • Sexual orientation • Marriage and civil partnership • Gender reassignment • Pregnancy and maternity Vision : Provider of Choice Mission : Changing lives through meeting our customers’ aspirations

7. Are we a public body? Current case law – functions of a public nature (the tests) • Is the body subsidised by the State? • Does the body have special intrusive powers by law, such as the power to apply for an anti-social behaviour order? • Does the body work closely with local government to help the local authority achieve its duties under the law? • Is the body providing a public service of a type which only the Government would normally provide, such as housing at below market rents? Vision : Provider of Choice Mission : Changing lives through meeting our customers’ aspirations

8. Public Sector Duty • General duty and specific duties • Indication that general duty applies to HAs General duty Requires public bodies to have due regard to the: • Need to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation • Need to advance equality of opportunity • Need to foster good relations In the course of developing policies and delivering services Vision : Provider of Choice Mission : Changing lives through meeting our customers’ aspirations

9. Observations • Single Equalities Scheme • Strategy / Action Plan alignment • Actions actions everywhere! • Positive progress – all staff trained • E&D Group needing focus and revamp • Culture not there yet Vision : Provider of Choice Mission : Changing lives through meeting our customers’ aspirations

10. E&D Group update What we want for Equity: • Provider of choice / employer of choice / growth • Legal and regulatory compliance • A strong reputation • Trained and knowledgeable staff • E&D culture and staff champions • High customer satisfaction – whoever the customer Vision : Provider of Choice Mission : Changing lives through meeting our customers’ aspirations

11. E&D Group update E&D Group responsibilities: • Developing framework • Ensuring adequate policies in place • Scrutinising action plan delivery • Information sharing with teams • Championing E&D • Challenging inappropriate behaviour • Points of contact for staff Vision : Provider of Choice Mission : Changing lives through meeting our customers’ aspirations

12. Next Steps • Combine action plans • Work on key priorities • Support the E&D Group • Social Housing Equalities Framework • E&D Strategy Review • Policy Reviews • Service Reviews • E&D a project for now. Later: business as usual Vision : Provider of Choice Mission : Changing lives through meeting our customers’ aspirations

13. And finally… • Board diversity monitoring • Protected characteristics • Sheets to fill in – will be posted tomorrow Vision : Provider of Choice Mission : Changing lives through meeting our customers’ aspirations

14. Thank you for listening Any further comments, please contact: Gemma Bradley gemmab@equityhousing.co.uk 0161 486 7610 Vision : Provider of Choice Mission : Changing lives through meeting our customers’ aspirations