Equal Opportunities Policy
Challenging discrimination and transforming social care practice
Tampa Housing Ltd are committed to operating anti-discriminatory practice. It acknowledges that discrimination exists within our society. We accept the importance of challenging discrimination and of transforming social care practice, which promote children and young people’s social care and empowers users.
Anti-discriminatory practice is the responsibility of all our employees. Tampa Housing Ltd and its’ employees must act to establish anti-discriminatory practice.
At Tampa house we endeavour to recruit a staff team that reflects the diversity within society. Whilst it is impossible to legislate for people’s attitudes, we have an expectation that they will conform to this policy and all other policies whilst on duty.
- We believe that the relationships formed with the children and young people, colleagues and other professionals should be equal.
- We always need to be Young Person focused.
- The welfare of the Young Person is of primary importance, and the Young Person’s views should be listened to.
- We aim to challenge discrimination in any manifestation and to positively promote individuality and diversity.
- We positively promote the Young Person’s religion through observance, or places of worship.
- We deliver a varied menu which includes foods from different cultures.
- We encourage children and young people to express their individuality and encourage active engagement within the community.
We recognise that children and young people from different ethnic groups have particular care needs. We also recognise that each individual will have differing needs resulting from their disability. Some children and young people will require advice, assistance and support to look at issues surrounding their particular experiences and backgrounds. We see this as the responsibility of all staff.
A Young Person’s sense of identity can become very fragile when separated from their parent’s. Children and young people may struggle to retain a positive sense of their own cultural, racial and religious heritage. Tampa house is committed to ensuring that all Children and young people in our home develops a clear sense of who they are, equipping them to tackle any discrimination they may encounter.
Promoting a Young Person’s identity is an important part of the referral process when considering a placement for Children and young people in Tampa house to ensuring that we receive detailed and accurate information regarding the disability, sex, ethnicity, culture and religion of all children and young people being considered for placement at Tampa house.
Tampa house believe in a pro-active approach to children’s rights and staff fully understand the concept of children’s rights and the relationship of these rights to their responsibilities. This underpins the development of positive relationships and should make children and young people in our care develop safe and trusting relationships.
Tampa house will ensure that all staff that care for children and young people do not feel disempowered by this concept of children’s rights, but actively encourage children and young people to do the following:
- To be treated fairly.
- To be physically well cared for in relation to their health, clothing, food and a warm, clean and safe home.
- For friends and families to be made welcome in accordance with their daily living plan.
- To make mistakes and to expect new chances.
- To have their views encouraged and considered.
- To be supported in following any religion they may choose.
- To expect choices whenever they are available.
- To read what we write and record about them.
- To receive care that is planned and reviewed regularly.
- To complain if unhappy with the care received or offered.
- To be included in and have access (with the help of staff) to their files and care documents.
- To have their own copies of their placement/care plan, statutory reviews and the reports from Social Workers and care staff and a safe place to keep them.
- To have their own copies of other documents by negotiation.