LHSU Advice Centre is committed to eliminating unlawful discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity in all that we do. This Code is a statement of how we intend to tackle discrimination and harassment and promote equality. We consider it important for us to have a Code of Practice on Equal Opportunities and Service Delivery because we recognise that oppression, disadvantage and discrimination still exists in society. This Code demonstrates our commitment to address these issues and take action to seek to put this imbalance right. It will also help us to make sure that everyone has equal access to services and to raise the quality of life of all students at Liverpool Hope University.

This Code applies to all Advice Centre employees, volunteers and services, and services delivered by third parties on behalf of the Centre. We will work towards tackling discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the grounds of the following ‘protected characteristics’:

• Gender
• Marital status
• Pregnancy / maternity
• Disability
• Age
• Religion / Belief
• Race / Ethnicity / Nationality
• Sexual orientation
• Gender reassignment.

The Centre recognises its statutory equality duties (e.g. Equality Act 2010) in terms of service provision and is committed to meet them by complying with this Code.

We are committed to ensuring our services are open, fair and accessible by taking into consideration the needs and requirements of all service users, potential and existing. We will ensure that:

• Service users and staff have the opportunity to engage with and participate in the planning of services;
• Provide clear information about our services and where necessary in accessible formats;
• Provide training for all our employees to ensure they have a good understanding of our diverse communities and their needs. This Code will form an integral part of the Centre’s training and induction processes to provide employees and volunteers with an awareness and an appreciation of the importance of ensuring that all service users receive quality service provision regardless of their protected characteristics;
• Assess the impact and monitoring of our services to ensure they do not discriminate;
• Monitor take up of services across the protected characteristics.

The Union Development Manager is responsible for providing leadership in the implementation of this Code and for ensuring that service planning and performance management systems take account of equality. However, all staff members and volunteers have responsibility for the implementation of this Code.

The LHSU Board of Trustee members have overall responsibility for the direction and scrutiny of this policy and will ensure that principles of fairness and equality guide the decision making process.

The Union Development Manager will be responsible for ensuring that those they manage are made aware of this Code and that it is brought to the attention of all those who join the Centre as part of employee induction processes.

The Code will also be made available to members of the community and all those who provide services on behalf of the Centre will be made aware of the Code and the need for them to comply with its provisions.

Breaches of this Code will be managed through the Centre’s Complaints procedure and, where appropriate, LHSU’s Disciplinary procedure.

This Code will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees every two years unless we are required to do so due to change of legislation.