Read Now Write Now is committed to implementing and promoting equal opportunities in its activities, services and practice. It realises that discrimination exists in society (whether protected by law or not), and believes that this prevents potential and ability from being realised in young people and others.
Read Now Write Now will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of:
As a provider of a service to the community, Read Now Write Now accepts the responsibility to promote equal opportunities and challenge discrimination wherever it occurs. This document sets out the main consequences of this commitment and the action to be taken in order to achieve equal opportunities.
Read Now Write Now recognises that some users of its services may, because of their past or present distress or illness, say or do things which would otherwise be unacceptable and incompatible with Read Now Write Now’s Equal Opportunities Policy. Read Now Write Now will do all it can to challenge such behaviour. In cases where intervention is possible a gentle approach will be adopted which aims to alter attitudes and behaviour while maintaining support for the distressed client.
Read Now Write Now reserves the right to open its membership to any organisation who supports our aims and objectives. However, it will exclude from membership those organisations that actively work against the development of an equal opportunities policy over time, despite encouragement from Read Now Write Now.
Read Now Write Now realises that a genuine commitment to equal opportunities must operate on all levels:
1.1. The Managing Director has overall responsibility for the effective operation of this policy. However, all volunteers and service users have a duty as part of their involvement with Read Now Write Now to do everything they can to ensure that the policy works in practice. Those responsible for recruiting volunteers to work in Read Now Write Now projects are responsible for ensuring that they are aware of Read Now Write Now’s Opportunities Policy and adhere to it while working as volunteers.
1.2. Read Now Write Now will bring to the attention of all volunteers and service users the existence of this policy, and will provide such training as is necessary to ensure that the policy is effective and that everyone is aware of it.
1.3. If any service user or volunteer feels that they have been, or are being discriminated against, in any way, they are entitled to pursue the matter with the committee.
1.4. All instances or complaints of discriminatory behaviour will be treated seriously.
1.5. Complaints or allegations of an unfounded or malicious nature will also be treated as serious.
1.6. Read Now Write Now will endeavour to ensure, as far as is practicable, that all the premises it uses have disabled access. When considering new premises, every effort will be made to ensure such premises are fully accessible.
1.7. Volunteers and service users should avoid and challenge the use of language which, in any way, belittles anyone
1.8. Where the language used has a personal impact on others, and it has been made clear to the person concerned that their use of such language is unwelcome and/or offensive, disciplinary action may be taken if they persist with it.
1.9. All materials used or developed by Read Now Write Now will be judged in the light of the promotion of equal opportunities, and those considered to be discriminatory will not be used.
1.10. No volunteer or service user should be subject to sexual harassment.
1.11. This is interpreted as unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature including:
1.12. If it has been made clear to the person concerned that their behaviour is unwelcome and they persist with it, then the service user or volunteer who is the recipient of the behaviour will be entitled to make a formal complaint.
The Policy will be constantly reviewed by the managing director to ensure that no Member of the group is put to a disadvantage either, directly or indirectly. This monitoring will apply to the practices of staff and volunteers, the member organisation, the composition of the Committees and the provision of services.
It is the responsibility of every individual to eliminate discrimination and to ensure the practical application of this Policy.
The managing director of Read Now Write Now will review this policy every year.
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