VISION

Blackheath Halls is committed to creating a culture in which diversity, equality and inclusion are embedded and in which discrimination is not tolerated. Blackheath Halls recognises the need for a diverse community of audiences and participants representative of the diversity of its local boroughs, and to this end is working towards building and maintaining an environment which values diversity and welcomes and includes all.

POLICY STATEMENT

Blackheath Halls believes in principles of social justice, acknowledges that discrimination can affect people adversely, and is committed to challenge all forms of inequality. To meet this objective, Blackheath Halls aims to ensure that:

  • Individuals are treated fairly, with dignity and respect regardless of their age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, religion, belief or lack of belief, or because someone is married or in a civil partnership. These are known as “protected characteristics”.
  • It promotes an inclusive and supportive environment for participants and visitors
  • It recognises the various contributions to the achievement of Blackheath Halls’ mission made by individuals from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of lived experiences

Blackheath Halls is committed to monitoring the impact and effectiveness of this Policy to assess whether any discrimination is occurring and, if appropriate, act to ensure it is eliminated.

DEFINITIONS

i) Users/participants = those using, or seeking to use, Blackheath Halls’ services/facilities, including, but not limited to, Trinity Laban students, individuals attending classes and external events; community participants; parents and young people; visitors to Blackheath Halls’ premises, including audience members, and potential employees (job applicants).

AIMS OF THE POLICY AND UNDERPINNING PRINCIPLES

Through its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and associated Codes of Practice, the organisation aims:

  • To foster and maintain an organisational culture and practice which embraces diversity, respects cultural difference and actively seeks to eliminate any form of discrimination on grounds of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, religion, belief or lack of belief, or because someone is married or in a civil partnership
  • To make certain that no organisational policy or practice leads to unfavourable treatment of staff or other stakeholders on the grounds of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, religion, belief or lack of belief, or because someone is married or in a civil partnership
  • To raise awareness amongst staff of equality issues and their obligations in the implementation of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy;
  • To promote programmes of work actively addressing diversity and equality issues, and to monitor and evaluate their success.

The policy is guided by the following principles, that:

  • all visitors should enjoy a safe environment free from discrimination and harassment/bullying
  • all should have equal access to services that are available at Blackheath Halls
  • initiatives continue to be used to redress inequalities and discriminatory practice

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY

Implementation of this policy will be led by the Director of Blackheath Halls and be undertaken by all Blackheath Halls staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Blackheath Halls and it’s staff are responsible for:

  • supporting and implementing the aims of this policy
  • promoting equality of opportunity
  • contributing to an environment free of fear and intimidation and which celebrates diversity
  • ensuring that their behaviour and actions do not amount to discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation in any way

This policy is supported by an Equality and Diversity Code of Practice for staff, which is appended to this document. Trinity Laban’s Dignity at Work Policy outlines the institution’s commitment to creating a work environment free of harassment and bullying, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. This is

COMMUNICATION OF POLICY

Blackheath Halls will provide an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statement in publications and is committed to using non-discriminatory language in all internal and external communications both written and verbal. The organisation will provide documents in different formats if requested by disabled applicants.

BREACH OF THE POLICY

Blackheath Halls will take seriously any instances of infringement of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy by staff or users/participants. Any instances of infringement will be investigated and where appropriate will be considered under the relevant complaints/grievance and disciplinary policy for staff as per flow chart attached. In the case of any breach of the policy by users/participants, the Director will take appropriate action depending on the nature of the incident.

MONITORING AND REVIEW

Blackheath Halls will seek to assess the impact of its policies users to ensure real improvements are being made in tackling discrimination and promoting diversity.

LAW RELATING TO THIS DOCUMENT   

Equality Act 2010

Equality Act 2010 (Disability) Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/2128)