EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY

The CAIA has adopted this Policy because it recognises that certain individuals and groups are discriminated against on the grounds of age, disability, social class, gender reassignment, marriage and/or civil partnership, pregnancy and/or maternity, race, religion and beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic or national origin, mental health, political affiliations, caring responsibilities, and HIV status, or any other factor irrelevant to the purpose in view. CAIA is committed to challenging discrimination and prejudice in all their forms.

The governing legislation is the Equality Act 2010. Ultimate responsibility for equality within CAIA rests with the Trustees. The Trustees will liaise closely with the CEO, who will be responsible for implementation on a day to day basis.

The aim of this policy is to ensure that no employee, job applicant, service user, member or volunteer receives less favourable treatment or has less access to services on the abovementioned grounds.

All new members of staff, Board and volunteers will be introduced to this policy as part of their induction and training.

In practice this will mean:

    • As an Equal Opportunities employer, the CAIA is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination on any of the above grounds, both through its own work and through employment policy and practice (see also CAIA Recruitment Policy) and that where necessary employees are provided with additional training and support to carry out their duties.
    • In the provision of all its services, no individual or groups of persons applying for assistance will be treated less favourably on the above-mentioned grounds.
    • Activities and events will be open and welcoming to everybody entitled to participate.
    • In the composition and operation of its Board, the CAIA will be mindful of its Equality and Diversity Policy and ensure that all its members have an equal opportunity to be adequately heard and represented at all levels within the organisation.

The Policy and its practice will be continuously monitored to ensure its effectiveness and will be formally reviewed by the Trustees at least once every two years, or immediately following a change of legislation. CAIA will behave in an unbiased manner towards all service users, irrespective of their political affiliation, cultural or social background, age, gender, or sexual orientation, and observe CAIA Equality and Diversity Policy at all times (See CAIA Code of Conduct and Protocol).

EQUALITY / DIVERSITY & CUSTOMER CARE

CAIA’s Equality and Diversity Policy is closely linked with customer care. In particular, the CAIA

acknowledges that:

    • The community we serve is made up of people with different needs and diverse backgrounds due to the Armenian people’s historical experience of dispersion and we, as a charity, have a duty to meet these needs. 
    • We will treat everyone equally so that no client is denied access to CAIA services or activities and events because of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and/or civil partnership, pregnancy and/or maternity, race, religion and beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic or national origin, mental health, political affiliations, caring responsibilities, or HIV status.
    • We will regularly review and examine our own attitudes, behaviour, and procedures to ensure that we do not contribute to or make decisions which would provide a service based on prejudice, misinformation, or stereotypes (See Key Performance Standards for Advisory Services).

As a specialist Armenian language pre-school learning provision and Youth Club, CAIA welcomes any child, irrespective of their origin, religious, economic, social background, or disability to register, in accordance with the above policy which is available upon request.

REFERRALS

Should any user who does not come from the CAIA target group, contact the CAIA for advice they will be informed that the CAIA cannot advise them and will be given an explanation of the reasons.

The CAIA will signpost the user to the most appropriate agency who can advise them (See Signposting and Referral Policy).

There are circumstances when the CAIA can support people from non-target groups where a Service Level Agreement or specific agreement has been established with a partner organisation.

WITHDRAWAL OF SERVICE

Should any service user persist in using discriminatory language or act in any way contrary to the spirit of the above policy, the CAIA reserves the right to either refuse service and/or to withdraw service. (See Withdrawal of Service Policy).

COMPLAINTS

Should any user have a complaint about the operation of this policy or if they feel they have been discriminated against in some way or received less equal treatment they should be directed to the CAIA Complaints Policy.

GRIEVANCES

Should any staff member, sessional worker or volunteer have a complaint about the operation of this policy or if they feel they have been discriminated against in some way or received less equal treatment, they should follow CAIA’s Grievance procedure contained in the Staff Handbook.

(Approved in 1989 by CAIA Board. Revised and Approved 1996, 2001, 4/03/2006, 12/10/2011, 17/11/2015 and 17/3/2015 and 21/06/2016; Reviewed and adopted 13/02/2020; Reviewed and approved 31/07/2021; Reviewed and adopted 13/01/2024; Reviewed and adopted 28/06/25)