Equality and Diversity - Everybody's Business
Welcome to Leicestershire County Council’s Equality and Diversity site.
On these pages, you will be able to find all the latest news and information on our equality and diversity work.
If you would like further advice on Equality and Diversity, or have any comments regarding the information on this site or any aspect of the equality and diversity work we do, please contact us on 0116 305 6029, or by emailing equality@leics.gov.uk
In terms of the Council's commitment to equality of opportunity in employment and services, please see our formal Equalities Policy Statement
Equalities Consultation 2012
Leicestershire County Council is currently seeking views on our Single Equalities Action Plan and Community Cohesion Framework (2012-2013), along with the Council's Priority Equality Objectives (2012-2016).
This is an important consultation that relates directly to our legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010.
The consultation is aimed at anyone with an interest and involvement in our equality, diversity and community cohesion work.
The consultation begins on Friday 13th January and runs for a ten week period until Friday March 23rd.
For more details about the Consultation Process, and how you can contribute to this important exercise, please go to the Equalities Consultation 2012 section of the website
Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act brings together nine separate pieces of legislation into one single Act simplifying the law and strengthening it in important ways to help tackle discrimination and inequality.
Most of the Act came into force in October 2010. At the time of writing the Government is considering how the remaining provisions will be commenced so that the Act is implemented in an effective and proportionate way.
The Act covers ‘nine protected characteristics’: These are:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- marriage and civil partnership
- pregnancy and maternity
- race – this includes ethnic or national origins, colour and nationality
- religion or belief
- sex, and
- sexual orientation.
Leicestershire County Council has been proactive in implementing the Equality Act which has included strengthening our approach to the protected characteristics. This is reflected in the Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Strategy.
A simple guide to the Act can be found at the Government Equalities Office Website. http://www.equalities.gov.uk/equality_act_2010/equality_act_2010_what_do_i_n.aspx
On 5th April 2011 a new public sector General Equality Duty came into force
The General Equality Duty replaces the three previous duties on race, disability and gender, bringing them together into a single duty, and extends it to cover age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity, and gender reassignment.
The new Equality Duty requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations in the course of developing policies and delivering services. The aim is for public bodies to consider the needs of all individuals in their day to day work, in developing policy, in delivering services, and in relation to their own employees
More information can be found on the Government Equalities Website:
The County Council has achieved the highest level of the Equality Framework for Local Government - 'Excellent'.
During March 2011, a team of assessors from the Local Government Improvement and Development Organisation confirmed that Leicestershire County Council is making equality a reality here in Leicestershire.
The assessors gathered evidence from interviews, focus groups and visits to inform their decision.
They reported that the council is strong in relation to our leadership of, and commitment to, the equalities agenda and our partnership working is achieving positive outcomes for the people of Leicestershire.
They also said that employees are very positive about working for the council and they were particularly impressed by the openness and honesty of staff.
All of the assessors agreed that their visits to specific projects and service users had added real value to the assessment. They were able to see, first hand, how we are making a difference to vulnerable groups and those at risk of discrimination and disadvantage.
For more information on the Equality Framework please click onto the following link
LeicesterShire Equalities Forum (LSEF) - Partnership Strategy
Find out more about the LeicesterShire Equalties Forum Partnership Strategy
The County Council is committed to Leicestershire – to its people, places, communities and individuals.
The Leader of the County Council, the Lead Member for Equalities, the Political Group Leaders and the Chief Executive of the County Council have signed this Charter to pledge the Council’s commitment to embracing equality and to actively tackling discrimination in all its forms.
The East Midlands Improvement and Efficiency Partnership approached the County Council to be a good practice case study because of the way we have made equality and diversity everybody’s business.
The case study (a copy of which is available in pdf and Word formats below) talks about how, in just twelve months, we implemented service improvements to achieve Level 3 of the Equality Standard for Local Government.
It also talks about how we have used awareness raising events, Positive Action initiatives, Member training and effective policy making to embed equalities and diversity into the culture of the organisation.
The case study has been produced to inspire council’s in the region and nationally.
General Information on Equality and Diversity
Age Positive -Government campaign to tackle age discrimination and promote the business benefits of age diversity in the workplace.
Directgov - information about the rights of disabled people
Employers Forum on Disability -The Employers' Forum on Disability is an employers' organisation focused on the issue of disability in the workplace.
Equality and Human Rights Commission -The Equality and Human Rights Commission has a statutory remit to promote and monitor human rights; and to protect, enforce and promote equality across the nine "protected" grounds - age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, sexual orientation and gender reassignment.
The Gender Trust: - The Gender Trust is the only Registered Charity in the United Kingdom which specifically helps adults who are Transsexual, Gender Dysphonic or Transgender.
Religion & Belief - information about Religion and belief
Stonewall - works to achieve equality and justice for lesbians, gay men and bi-sexual people.
The Rights of Women
Rights of Women works to attain justice and equality by informing, educating and empowering women regarding their legal rights.
Rights of Women works to attain justice and equality by informing, educating and empowering women regarding their legal rights.
Page Last Updated: 13 January 2012
