Diversity Statement

Apt Public Social Partnership (PSP) is committed to promoting equal opportunities and valuing diversity. Our aim is equality for everyone who uses our services and works with us.

We recognise that we must be representative of the diverse community we live in, so that we can provide the most effective services. Apt PSP will actively encourage diversity to maximise achievement, creativity and good practice and to bring benefit to individuals and communities we serve.

Diversity involves recognising people’s differences to allow everyone to feel valued so that they can work to their full potential.

Apt PSP will endeavour to operate in a way that genuinely recognises the importance of an inclusive society that brings opportunities, not barriers, to individuals.

Successfully managing diversity will:

• demonstrate clear direction and commitment
• mean more people benefit from our services
• encourage trust and respect for people’s differences
• reveal, develop, keep and attract talented people
• highlight new opportunities in funding and recruitment
• create a network for support and advice
• build and maintain better relationships
• establish an inclusive and positive image
• minimise discrimination and inequality
• involve and include all our people

We will do this by:

• Meeting all our responsibilities for equal opportunities as a service provider and employer by adhering to relevant legislation and codes of practice and ensuring that Apt PSP practices and procedures comply.
• We shall continue to develop good practices and procedures over and above those required by legislation, particularly in relation to recruitment, training and promotion.
• Making equality a mainstream part of our work.
• Providing support to the people we support to understand why equality and diversity are important.
• Making our services as accessible as possible, including the information that we provide about our services.
• Working with other organisations to promote equality and diversity.

We encourage equality of practice in relation to the following:

• Age
• Disability, including progressive conditions
• Race, including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin
• Sexual orientation
• Sex
• Gender reassignment
• Religion or belief
• Marriage or civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity