EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION POLICY
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
(a) Commitment
We, Chevington Clinic Limited, are committed to eliminating unlawful discrimination
and to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion within our policies, practices and
procedures.
We are also committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in Chevington
Clinic Limited.
This applies to our professional dealings with clients, staff and all other members of
the health care professions.
We shall treat everyone equally and with the same attention, courtesy and respect
regardless of:
(a) sex (including marital status, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity and
paternity);
(b) sexual orientation (including civil partnership status);
(c) race or racial group (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins);
(d) religion or belief;
(e) age;
(f) caring responsibility; or
(g) disability.
(b) Legislation
We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that we and our staff do not unlawfully
discriminate under:
(a) The Equality Act 2010
(b) The Human Rights Act 1998
Meeting Clients Needs
(a) General statement
As a provider of private health services Chevington Clinic Limited will treat all clients
equally and fairly and not unlawfully discriminate against them.
(b) Identifying clients needs
Chevington Clinic Limited is committed to meeting the diverse needs of clients. We
will take account, in particular, of the needs of clients with a disability and clients who
are unable to communicate effectively in English. We will consider whether particular
groups are predominant within our client base and devise appropriate policies to
meet their needs: including men and women; carers; children; the elderly; members
of religious groups; ethnic groups or nationalities; and lesbian, gay or transgender
people.
(c) Communications Plan
Chevington Clinic Limited will devise policies and procedures for ensuring that our
services are accessible for a diverse range of clients. Our Patient Communication
Procedures set out what steps we have taken or will take to put in place customer
service policies and procedures to make our services accessible to clients.
Employees and Practitioners will be informed of the Patient Communication
Procedures and training provided where appropriate to ensure that they are
effectively implemented.
Dealings with third parties
(a) General statement
Chevington Clinic Limited will not unlawfully discriminate in dealings with third
parties. This applies to dealings with other health service providers and general
procurement.
Employment
(a) General statement
As an employer, the Chevington Clinic Limited will treat all employees and job
applicants equally and fairly and not unlawfully discriminate against them. This
applies equally to voluntary positions and anyone undertaking work experience with
us. This will, for example, include arrangements for recruitment and selection, terms
and conditions of employment, access to training opportunities, access to promotion
and transfers, grievance and disciplinary processes, demotions, selection for
redundancies, dress code, references, bonus schemes, work allocation and any
other employment related activities.
(b) Recruitment and selection
Chevington Clinic Limited recognises the benefits of having a diverse workforce and
will take steps to ensure that:
(a) we endeavour to recruit from the widest pool of qualified candidates practicable;
(b) employment opportunities are open and accessible to all on the basis of their
individual qualities and personal merit;
(c) where appropriate, positive action measures are taken to attract applications from
all sections of society and especially from those groups which are under-
represented in the workforce;
(d) selection criteria and processes do not unlawfully discriminate on the grounds of
sex (including marital status, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity and
paternity), sexual orientation (including civil partnership status), religion or belief,
age or disability; other than in those instances where the Clinic is exercising
permitted positive action or a permitted exemption;
(e) wherever appropriate and necessary, lawful exemptions (genuine occupational
requirements) will be used to recruit suitable staff to meet the special needs of
particular groups;
(f) all recruitment agencies acting for the Clinic are aware of requirements not to
discriminate and to act accordingly.
(c) Conditions of service
Chevington Clinic Limited will treat all employees equally and create a working
environment which is free from unlawful discrimination and which respects the
diverse backgrounds and beliefs of employees. Terms and conditions of service for
employees will comply with anti-discrimination legislation. The provision of benefits
such as flexible working hours, maternity and other leave arrangements,
performance appraisal systems, dress code, bonus schemes and any other
conditions of employment will not unlawfully discriminate against any employee on
the grounds of their age; gender; marital status; race; religion or belief; sexual
orientation or on the grounds of disability.
Where appropriate and necessary, Chevington Clinic Limited will endeavour to
provide appropriate facilities and conditions of service which take into account the
specific needs of employees which arise from their ethnic or cultural
background; gender; responsibilities as carers; disability; religion or belief or
sexual orientation.
(d) Promotion and career development
Promotion within Chevington Clinic Limited will be made without reference to any of
the forbidden grounds and will be based solely on merit. The selection criteria and
processes for recruitment and promotion will be kept under review to ensure that
there is no unjustifiably discriminatory impact on any particular group. While positive
action measures may be taken in accordance with relevant
anti-discrimination legislation to encourage applications from under-represented
groups, appointments to all jobs will be based solely on merit. All employees will
have equal access to training and other career development opportunities
appropriate to their experience and abilities. However, Chevington Clinic Limited will
take appropriate positive action measures (as permitted by the anti-discrimination
legislation) to provide special training and support for groups which are under-
represented in the workforce and encourage them to take up training and career
development opportunities.
(e) Training Plan
Chevington Clinic Limited will identify equality and diversity training needs and draw
up a plan to address these as appropriate to their responsibilities. The plan will
include details of the sort of training that will be provided, who will be trained, when
training will be provided and who is responsible in the Clinic for ensuring that training
is delivered. Employees will be informed of this equality and diversity policy and
training plan. The Training Plan is appended to this Policy.
Implementing the policy
(a) Responsibility
Ultimate responsibility for implementing the policy rests with Chevington Clinic
Limited. Chevington Clinic Limited will appoint a senior person within it to be
responsible for the operation of the policy.
All employees of Chevington Clinic Limited are expected to pay due regard to the
provisions of this policy and are responsible for ensuring compliance with it when
undertaking their jobs or representing the Clinic. Acts of unlawful discrimination on
any of the forbidden grounds by employees of Chevington Clinic Limited will result in
disciplinary action. Failure to comply with this policy will be treated in a similar
fashion. The policy applies to all who are employed in Chevington Clinic Limited and
to all directors.
Acts of unlawful discrimination on any of the forbidden grounds by those acting on
behalf of the Chevington Clinic Limited will lead to appropriate action.
(b) Complaints of discrimination
Chevington Clinic Limited will treat seriously all complaints of unlawful discrimination
on any of the forbidden grounds made by employees and will take action where
appropriate.
All complaints will be investigated in accordance with Chevington Clinic Limited
grievance or complaints procedure and the complainant will be informed of the
outcome.
We will also monitor the number and outcome of complaints of discrimination made
by staff, clients and other third parties.
(c) Monitoring
The Company will regularly monitor the effects of selection decisions and personnel
practices and procedures in order to assess whether equal opportunity is being
achieved. This will also involve considering any possible indirectly discriminatory effects
of its standard working practices. If changes are required, the Company will implement
them. The Company will also make reasonable adjustments to its standard working
practices to overcome substantial disadvantages caused by disability.
(d) Review
Chevington Clinic Limited will review the operation of this policy not less than once a
year (or more regularly if we identify any non-compliance or problem concerning
equality and diversity issues with clients or personnel). We will take remedial action if
we discover non-compliance under this policy or barriers to equal opportunities.
When reviewing the policy we will consider the outcome of monitoring and review
actions under our communications and training plans.