Forum Housing Association is fully committed to the principles of Equality and Diversity, and recognises through its Christian principles that its Equality and Diversity responsibilities are far greater than that of statute. We will strive to cover all areas where an individual or groups are disadvantaged in any way preventing them from reaching their full potential. We will make every effort to ensure that no applicant for housing or employment receives less favourable treatment than another because of their individuality. We recognise all nine Protected Characteristics covered by the Equality Act and as such are opposed to discrimination on the grounds of Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage and Civil Partnership, Pregnancy and Maternity, Race, Religion and Belief, Sex and Sexual Orientation or any other individual characteristic that may effect the treatment of an individual.

We are committed to creating a culture of inclusiveness developing a work place, which reflects the local population with which we work, heightening staff and resident awareness to help people understand and deal with difference. We believe our employees and residents are entitled to dignity and respect, under no circumstances will any form of discrimination, intimidation, bullying or harassment be tolerated. It is therefore our declaration to attempt to challenge discrimination in all its forms, direct and indirect by the use of positive action. We want to serve young people within the communities we work; ensuring young people have access to all services, wherever they live, whatever their background ensuring our services are equally accessible to all and by actively encouraging our partners to do the same in order to establish community cohesion.

We believe that it is in the Association’s best interests, and those who work in it, to ensure human resources, talents and skills available throughout the community are considered when employment opportunities arise. To this end, within the equality framework, we are committed, whenever practicable, to achieving and maintaining a workforce which broadly reflects the local community in which we operate. We have regular reviews and monitor our Recruitment and Selection policy to keep up to date with good practice and changing legislation.

We are committed to ensuring that recruitment and selection, appointment and training and development are on merit and ability.

Our aim is to ensure that Forum Housing Association is an organisation that recognises and embraces diversity. The Association will strive to create a culture of inclusiveness promoting good equality practice.

In practice the Association will value each individual, in their own right, regardless of whether or not they belong to any of the Protected Characteristics groups, enabling staff and residents to be included, participating fully and contributing their best, valuing the different contributions individuals can make.

The Association will also ensure compliance with the Equality Act 2010.