Health and Safety Policy

Equal, Diversity and Inclusion policy – South Devon Singers 

Introduction

South Devon Singers charity is a music group open to all. We are committed to encouraging equality, diversity, and inclusion in our music group. 

We are committed against unlawful discrimination in providing activities / services / facilities 

We will not unlawfully discriminate because of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics of:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage and civil partnership 
• pregnancy and maternity, 
• race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin),
• religion or belief, 
• sex 
• sexual orientation

South Devon Singers charity is also committed to promoting equality of opportunity regardless of class and socio-economic background. 

This policy applies to everyone connected to South Devon Singers charity. This includes, but is not limited to: members, volunteers, staff, individuals engaged to provide a service (e.g. freelancers), individuals applying to volunteer or work with us, supporters, members of the public accessing our services or attending our events 

Aims 

South Devon Singers charity aims to:

• Provide and promote equality of opportunity and equitable treatment for everyone.
• Make our activities accessible and inclusive by removing barriers to entry. 
• Encourage, celebrate and value diversity and inclusion. 
• Ensure every member feels respected and able to give their best.
• Eliminate unlawful direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

Responsibilities

• The Chair is the EDI lead and responsible for providing advice and guidance on equality, diversity and inclusion issues, and to ensure the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy is kept up to date.

General practice 

South Devon Singers charity will treat everyone equally regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, class and socio-economic background. 

South Devon Singers charity will promote equality of access to membership and musical activities and opportunities.

We will ensure no one receives less favourable treatment or is disadvantaged by the criteria and characteristics set out in the introduction. This includes but is not limited to:

• Individuals accessing membership
• Individuals accessing musical activities and opportunities
• Volunteers, employees or people engaged to provide a service (e.g. freelancers) 

• Individuals applying to volunteer or work with (including freelancers) South Devon Singers charity

We acknowledge our responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to our activity to enable access under the Equality Act 2010  

We will select candidates for volunteering or paid opportunities based on their skills, qualifications and experience.

South Devon Singers charity’s commitment to anti-discriminatory practice relates to all kinds of discrimination:

•       Direct discrimination, where someone is treated less favourably than another because they have a protected characteristic.

•       Indirect discrimination, where a requirement or a condition is applied that has a detrimental effect on a particular group or individual. This applies even if there was not a deliberate intention to discriminate.

•       Associative discrimination, where direct discrimination against someone occurs because they associate with another person who has a protected characteristic.

•       Perceptive discrimination, where direct discrimination against someone occurs because others think they have a protected characteristic even if they do not possess that characteristic.

•       Harassment, where unwanted behaviour related to a protected characteristic occurs that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them. This applies even if the conduct is not directed at the individual or if they do not have the protected characteristic.

•       Third party harassment, which recognises potential liability for the harassment of someone connected to the group by external contacts.

•       Victimisation, when someone is treated badly because they have made or supported a complaint, or it is thought that they have done so.

Inclusion and respect 

• South Devon Singers charity will: 
  • treat everyone in a respectful manner and ensure they are made to feel equally welcome and included in all activities.
  • provide an environment in which the contribution and needs of everyone are fully valued and recognised. 
• All members, staff, freelancers, volunteers, supporters and those representing South Devon Singers charity are expected to treat each other with respect and dignity and ensure activities are welcoming and inclusive for all. 
• Inappropriate, violent or abusive behaviour or otherwise offensive and inflammatory remarks and behaviour are not acceptable. These constitute harassment and have no place in South Devon Singers charity.

South Devon Singers charity will support our members, volunteers, staff, freelancers and supporters in not tolerating any inappropriate, violent or abusive behaviour from other group members, volunteers, colleagues, freelancers, other organisations or customers.

Removing barriers 

South Devon Singers charity is committed to making sure its activities are accessible and inclusive. 

We recognise that there may be a range of barriers that could stop individuals accessing our activities or feeling included in them. These barriers may not always be obvious or visible and could be: 

• Physical 
• Practical 

• Cultural 

We will work to identify any such barriers and take reasonable measures to remove them.

Dealing with Complaints

• If any member, volunteer, staff, freelancer or supporter feels they have been discriminated against, harassed or victimised, they should raise it with the Chair or one of the other Trustees. 
• The committee will take complaints of discrimination and harassment seriously.
• The committee will investigate the complaint, listening to all parties involved:
  • If the complaint is against a committee member, that member will not be part of conducting the investigation.
  • If the complaint is against an individual, that individual will have the opportunity to express their point of view in a safe environment and accompanied by a friend.
  • The person making the complaint will have the same opportunity.
• If a complaint is found against South Devon Singers charity, the committee must work to ensure that such discrimination, harassment or victimisation is not repeated in future and must inform the members of how they propose to do this.
• If a complaint is found against South Devon Singers charity, the committee should work to resolve the complaint in a manner which is acceptable to the person who was subject to discrimination.
• If a complaint is against South Devon Singers charity is not upheld, the committee might wish to address issues which might have led to the complaint in the first place, e.g. lack of communication, to prevent similar situations in future

Policy review

The policy will be reviewed every two years by the board of trustees. 

Additional section if relevant: DBS / PVG checks 

Notes

This section is for groups that request DBS checks or PVG disclosures in Scotland. DBS and Disclosure Scotland require that you have an ex-offenders policy. They both provide sample ex-offenders’ policy. The wording below is based on the DBS template policy. It refers to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 which applies throughout the UK. 

• Read the DBS Sample policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders

·       Read the Disclosure Scotland sample policy for the recruitment of individuals with previous convictions

Request for DBS checks / PVG Checks for current and potential members, staff and volunteers – with reference to ex-offenders 

General: 

• In assessing applicants’ suitability for positions which are included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order using criminal record checks processed through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) , South Devon Singers charity complies fully with the code of practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly.

• South Devon Singers charity actively promotes equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records.

Request of DBS checks 

• An application for a criminal record check is only submitted to DBS after a thorough risk assessment has indicated that one is both proportionate and relevant to the position concerned.

• For those positions where a criminal record check is identified as necessary, all application forms, job adverts and recruitment briefs will contain a statement that an application for a DBS certificate / PVG disclosure will be submitted in the event of the individual being offered the position.

• South Devon Singers charity can only ask an individual to provide details of convictions and cautions that South Devon Singers charity are legally entitled to know about, and where a DBS certificate / PVG disclosure at either standard or enhanced level can legally be requested (where the position is one that is included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 as amended, and, where appropriate, Police Act Regulations as amended).

• South Devon Singers charity makes every subject of a criminal record check submitted to DBS aware of the existence of the code of practice and makes a copy available on request.

Outcome of check and selection process

• South Devon Singers charity undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a criminal record check on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed.

• South Devon Singers charity undertakes to discuss any matter revealed on a DBS certificate / PVG disclosure with the individual seeking the position before withdrawing a conditional offer of employment.

• In an interview or separate discussion South Devon Singers charity will: 
  • only ask an individual about convictions and cautions that are not protected
  • ensure an open and measured discussion takes place on the subject of any offences or other matter that might be relevant to the position. 

• Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment.

Responsibilities

South Devon Singers charity ensures that all those who are involved in the recruitment process are: 

• aware of the Southy Devon Singers charity equality, diversity and inclusion policy. 
• aware of when and what type of DBS check / PVG disclosure is appropriate.
• have read the DBS / PVG disclosure code of practice. 
• have read the Making Music guidance on safeguarding and DBS checks / PVG disclosures.
• have read any other guidance deemed appropriate by the South Devon Singers charity committee.

Equal opportunities policy South Devon Singers Charity

Aims

South Devon Singers Charity is a music group open to all. We aim to treat our members, volunteers, staff and supporters equally regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, class and socio-economic background. 

·     The Chair of Trustees is responsible for providing advice and guidance on equality and diversity issues, and to ensure the Equality and Diversity Policy is kept up to date.

Equality of opportunity South Devon Singers Charity aims to:  

·     promote equality for its members and potential members in access to membership and musical activities and opportunities 

·     ensure no member or potential member will receive less favourable treatment or is disadvantaged by the criteria and characteristics set out in the introduction 

·     ensure no individual wishing to volunteer or work for (including on a freelance basis South Devon Singers Charity will receive less favourable treatment or is disadvantaged by the criteria and characteristics set out in the aims.

Inclusion and respect; 

·     South Devon Singers Charity values its members, staff, volunteers and supporters and will do all it can to:

o  treat them in a respectful manner and ensure they are made to feel equally welcome and included in all activities.

o  provide an environment in which the contribution and needs of everyone are fully valued and recognised. 

·     Accordingly all members, staff volunteers, supporters and those representing South Devon Singers Charity are expected to treat each other with respect and dignity and ensure activities are welcoming and inclusive for all. 

·     Inappropriate, violent or abusive behaviour or otherwise offensive and inflammatory remarks and behaviour are not acceptable. These constitute harassment, and have no place in South Devon Singers Charity

·     South Devon Singers Charity will support our members, volunteers, staff and supporters in not tolerating any inappropriate, violent or abusive behaviour from other group members, volunteers, colleagues, other organisations or customers.

Accessibility South Devon Singers Charity aims to use venues that are accessible to all for rehearsals, concerts and any other activities or events it undertakes.

Dealing with Complaints

·     If any member, volunteer, staff or supporter feels they have been discriminated against or harassed they should raise it with the committee.

·     The committee will take complaints of discrimination and harassment seriously.

·     The committee will investigate the complaint, listening to all parties involved:

o  If the complaint is against a committee member, that member will not be part of conducting the investigation.

o  If the complaint is against an individual, that individual will have the opportunity to express their point of view in a safe environment and accompanied by a friend.

o  The person making the complaint will have the same opportunity.
 

·     If a complaint is found against South Devon Singers Charity the committee must work to ensure that such discrimination is not repeated in the future, and must inform the members of how they propose to do this.

Employment practices – general 

·     South Devon Singers Charity aims to promote equality and inclusivity as an employer and shall ensure that no volunteer, employee, person engaged to provide a service (e.g. freelance) or job/volunteer applicant receives less favourable treatment or is disadvantaged by the characteristics set out in the aims of this policy 

·     South Devon Singers Charity selects all candidates for interview based on their skills, qualifications and experience.

·     Selection, recruitment, training, promotion and employment practices will be subject to regular review to ensure that they comply with the Equality and Diversity Policy.

·     South Devon Singers Charity regards discrimination, abuse, harassment, victimisation or bullying of staff or volunteers in the course of work as disciplinary offences that could be regarded as gross misconduct.

Request for DBS checks for current and potential members, staff and volunteers – with reference to ex-offenders 

General:

·     In assessing applicants’ suitability for positions which are included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order using criminal record checks processed through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS South Devon Singers Charity complies fully with the code of practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly.

·     South Devon Singers Charity actively promotes equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records.

Request of DBS checks 

·     An application for a criminal record check is only submitted to DBS after a thorough risk assessment has indicated that one is both proportionate and relevant to the position concerned.

·     For those positions where a criminal record check is identified as necessary, all application forms, job adverts and recruitment briefs will contain a statement that an application for a DBS certificate will be submitted in the event of the individual being offered the position.

·     South Devon Singers Charity can only ask an individual to provide details of convictions and cautions that South Devon Singers Charityare legally entitled to know about, and where a DBS certificate at either standard or enhanced level can legally be requested (where the position is one that is included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 as amended, and, where appropriate, Police Act Regulations as amended).

·     South Devon Singers Charity makes every subject of a criminal record check submitted to DBS aware of the existence of the code of practice and makes a copy available on request.

Outcome of check and selection process

·     South Devon Singers Charity undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a criminal record check on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed.

·     South Devon Singers Charity undertakes to discuss any matter revealed on a DBS certificate with the individual seeking the position before withdrawing a conditional offer of employment.

·     In an interview or separate discussion South Devon Singers Charitywill: 

o  only ask an individual about convictions and cautions that are not protected

o  ensure an open and measured discussion takes place on the subject of any offences or other matter that might be relevant to the position. 

·     Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment.

Responsibilities

South Devon Singers Charity ensures that all those who are involved in the recruitment process are: 

·     aware of the South Devon Singers Charity equality and diversity policy. 

·     aware of when and what type of DBS check is appropriate.

·     have read the DBS code of practice. 

·     have read the Making Music guidance on safeguarding and DBS checks.

·     have read any other guidance deemed appropriate by the South Devon Singers Charity committee Policy review.

The policy will be reviewed every three years by the board of trustees. Members of South Devon Singers Charity will be informed of any changes to the policy and be invited to comment.