In 2000 amendments were made to The
Race Relations Act 1976, with statutory orders being introduced in
2001, which gave public authorities a statutory duty to promote
racial equality (commonly referred to as the Race Equality Duty).
Therefore all public bodies need to ensure that they are meeting
the challenge of ensuring and promoting race equality by:
- eliminating unlawful racial discrimination;
- promoting equality of opportunity between persons of different
racial groups; and
- promoting good relations between persons of different racial
groups.
Specific duty – race
This duty requires us to produce a coherent strategy and race
action plan, covering all relevant functions and policies. We have
to make clear how we plan to meet both the general and specific
duties; linking our corporate aims and objectives to our overall
approach to racial equality and include an action plan, setting out
how this will be delivered. We are required to:
- Distinguish between the duties in terms of functions and
policies and the duties in terms of employees.
- Monitor by racial group the numbers of:
-
- applicants for employment, training and promotion; and
- staff in post.
In addition, as we employ more than 150 full-time staff, we must
also monitor by racial group staff who:
- benefit or suffer detriment as a result of performance
assessment procedures;
- cease employment;
- are involved in grievance procedures;
- are the subject of disciplinary procedures; and
- receive training
The results of the above monitoring are analysed, action taken if
differences identified and have to be published annually. We must
use the data collected to show that we are actively meeting the
three elements of the general duty in employment functions.
With regard to the specific duties for policy making and service
delivery, we are required to publish a Race Equality Scheme which
is incorporated in our over arching
Equality
Scheme
Further Information
There are a number of other organisations to help you - links
below to external websites: