Equal Opportunities Policy
Reviewed: May 2013
Next review due: Oct 2015
Scope of the Policy
This document is intended to provide a clear statement of Butterflies Family Centre’s
commitment to equal opportunity for all children, families and staff. It sets out the policy
framework and provides clear guidance to managers and staff.
Policy Statement
Swindon Borough Council as an equal opportunity employer, intends that no job applicant
or employee shall receive less favourable treatment because of his or her sex, marital
status, race, colour, nationality, national origin, ethnic origin, disability or sexual orientation,
nor be disadvantaged by any other condition or requirement which cannot be shown to be
justifiable.
Butterflies Family Centre is committed in providing equality of opportunity for all children,
families and staff. We believe that no child, individual or family should be excluded from the
Centre activities on the grounds of age, gender, sexuality, class, family status, means,
disability, colour, ethnic origin, culture, religion or belief. We aim to ensure that all who wish
to work in, or volunteer to help with our Centre have an equal chance to do so.
Butterflies Family Centre is open to every family in the community.
Responsibilities
Centre Manager
1. The Centre Manager has overall responsibility for matters relating to equal
opportunities and will ensure implementation and review of the policy.
2. The Centre Manager will appoint an Equality Named Coordinator.
3. The Centre Manager will ensure that all recruitment will adhere to Swindon Borough
Council's fair recruitment and selection policy.
4. The Centre Manager will ensure that equal opportunities is considered within all aspects
of the running of the Centre and its development.
Equality Named Coordinator (Enco)
1. The Enco will attend relevant training and the cascade this training to all staff.
2. The Enco is responsible for regular auditing and monitoring of policies – inclusion, race
equality,
3. The Enco will monitor data from registration forms, attendance and employment to
establish whether discrimination occurs.
Staff
1. All staff are expected to adhere to the Centre’s Equal Opportunities Policy and this will
form part of the job description for all workers.
2. Staff must ensure that all activities allow access for all taking the following points into
account:
• Activities and play equipment offer opportunities to develop in an environment
free from prejudice and discrimination.
• Opportunities will be given to children to explore, acknowledge and value
similarities and differences between themselves and others.
• Appropriate attention will be paid to the individual in terms of the age of the child
and their stage of development.
• Resources will be used to give a balanced view of the world and appreciation of the
rich diversity of our multi-racial society.
• Appropriate representation will be visible in all displays and choice of equipment.
• Materials will be selected to help to develop their self-respect and to respect other
people by avoiding stereotypes and derogatory pictures or messages about any
group of people.
• Reasonable adjustments will be made for children or adults with additional needs
(See Special Needs Policy)
• Information, both spoken and written should be clearly communication in as many
languages as necessary. Documents such as policies, parent brochures and consent
forms will be available in relevant languages as appropriate.
• Bilingual/multilingual children and adults are an asset. They will be valued and
their languages recognised and respected in the centre.
• Medical, cultural and dietary needs will be taken into account.
• The time, place and contact of meetings will ensure that all families have an equal
opportunity to be involved in the running of the Centre.