OXPIP, the Oxford Parent Infant Project, works with parents to help them understand their relationship to their baby, to support parents who are uncertain about their parenting and to offer counselling to parents who have a child under the age of two years

Equal Opportunities Policy

Introduction

OXPIP believes that equality of opportunity and freedom from discrimination are fundamental rights of all people. We recognise that discrimination, prejudice and disadvantage exist in society and acknowledge that we have a duty to address these issues whenever possible.

OXPIP is committed to ensuring that its policies, practices and procedures do not discriminate on grounds of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, trade union activities, health, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disability or age. Nor where appropriate to people who may be ex-offenders.

Equal Opportunities Aim and Objectives

Our aim is to:

Treat everybody with respect and be aware of his or her individual needs and circumstances. OXPIP will endeavour to incorporate this approach in all aspects of its work and contacts whether they are with clients, the community, business or partner organisations.

Our objectives are to:

Eliminate unlawful discrimination of clients, workers or visitors, on the grounds of race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental abilities or level of income
Promote good race relations between people of different racial groups and equality of opportunity
Ensure equal access for all to OXPIP's services, selection, training, promotion, transfer, allocation of work
Achieve a balanced workforce that reflects the make-up of the community it serves
Maximise the use of skills available to OXPIP

The Policy will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis or in the light of changing legislative or organisational or community requirements.

Employment

OXPIP is committed to eliminating discrimination in recruiting, promoting and developing staff, as well as in its day-to-day work.

OXPIP will recruit the person who best matches the requirements of a vacant post. Appointment must be made on merit. Advertisements will include a statement indicating OXPIP's commitment to equal opportunities.

All vacancies will be advertised. Recruitment by 'word of mouth' is potentially discriminatory and is not permitted. Restricted advertising will only occur to allow redeployment.

All employees who are involved in recruitment and selection must be trained in fair methods and there must always be a minimum of two interviewers at every interview. Job descriptions and personnel specifications must only contain realistic job criteria.

Information

Information is essential if people are to play a full part society and access our services. OXPIP will strive to ensure that its information is provided in formats and in places that meet the needs of the people it serves.

If you require this information in a different format then please contact OXPIP on 01865 778034 to let us know your needs.

OXPIP will monitor the usage of our service to identify any areas of concern and to confirm whether our work and practices are becoming more inclusive of various groups.