Action Housing & Support, a provider of housing and tenancy related support services in Yorkshire and the Midlands, is announcing an inter-agency campaign to raise standards in equality and diversity with launch events in Chesterfield and Rotherham on 11 and 18 May 2007 respectively.

The campaign follows the completion of an independent audit of Action Housing’s equality and diversity record, a key recommendation of which has been that Action facilitates regional forums for organisations to discuss the issues, share best practice and benchmark their achievements against common goals.

The quarterly forums will be open to all stakeholders, partners, and any other organisations involved in supported housing and will assist them as they shift the complex issues of equality and diversity into the realm of public debate and discussion.

The audit was carried out in recognition that merely complying with legislation is not a sufficient approach to equality. With very few service users or staff from minority groups, Action Housing has used the review to create a corporate equality and diversity mission and intends to instigate a cultural change which will place the issue at the heart of the organisation.

The review was carried out by Professor Richard Tomlins who also advises the Department of Communities and Local Government, the Home Office, several Local Authorities and various housing organisations.

Other action points emerging from the review include introducing Equality Impact Assessments to determine how well Action Housing’s policies and procedures contribute to its ambition of excellence in equality and diversity, and establishing Diversity Champions – staff and service users who will help push the issue up the agenda.

Russell Ward, Chief Executive at Action Housing & Support, said: “We are determined to establish ourselves as a beacon of best practice in this field. We know that a lot more can be done in terms of working equally with all staff and service users, and fostering ever greater diversity within the organisation.

“Much of this work cannot and should not be done alone. We want to work with others in our sector and with our combined efforts and improved dialogue we should be able to raise standards for everyone.”

Notes to Editors

The launch events will be held on:

11 May 2007 10am – 12pm at Civic Room 1, Chesterfield Borough Council Town Hall, Rose Hill, Chesterfield, S40 1LP

18 May 2007 10am – 12pm at Action Housing & Support, 6 Genesis Business Park, Sheffield Road Rotherham, S60 1DX. 

 
For any other information please contact:

Matt Barker in the Public Relations office on 01709 821251, 07985813045, or Matt.Barker@ActionHousinguk.org

 
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