Update on Equality - Children's Services Human Resources

Update on equality
We would like to introduce ourselves as the new Equalities and Diversity Officer for Children's Services (HR). This new post is in place to offer support to management teams in maintaining their legal duties and achieving best practice for equality and diversity in respect of employment practices.

We are keen to capture schools' views on this issue and to enable us to identify common areas of concern we will be sending out in the New Year a short self-evaluation proforma for Headteachers and/or Chair of Governors to complete. Your response to this will enable us to target our support where you need it most.

Plans for new equality legislation
The Queen's Speech on 3^rd December 2008 outlined the government's legislative plans for 2009 and included details on the Equality Bill.

When passed by Parliament the Equality Bill aims to make equality law more accessible and easier to understand by putting all previous equality legislation in one place.

The purpose is to make Britain a fairer place where people have the opportunity to succeed whatever their race gender disability age sexual orientation religion or belief. It intends to promote fairness and equality of opportunity tackle disadvantage and discrimination. In order to guarantee its effectiveness the Bill will work to make public bodies more transparent.

Equality minister Harriet Harman said Equality is vital for a modern economy so that nobody is excluded and it can draw on the widest possible pool of talent with everybody contributing. That's why we will bring forward our tough new Equality Bill to make Britain fairer.

As the Equality Bill evolves over the forthcoming months we will provide schools with further updates.

You can find more details about the Equality Bill at www.equalities.gov.uk.

Rachel Williams: rachel.williams-hr@norfolk.gov.uk
Debbie Moore: debbie.moore@norfolk.gov.uk
Equalities and Diversity Officer Children's Services - HR

Tel: 01603 223676