Equal Opportunities

Statement of Intent

The National Counselling Society has referred to the Equality & Human Rights Commission in creating this policy. For comprehensive guidance on issues relating to equality and human rights please refer to the following websites:

For service users

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance

For service providers

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance

The National Counselling Society recognises that in society certain groups and individuals are oppressed and disadvantaged by institutional and individual discrimination and prejudice.

The National Counselling Society is positively committed to opposing discrimination against people on the grounds of gender, race, colour, nationality, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, class, age, disability, having dependants, HIV status or perceived lifestyle. We welcome the enrichment and cultural diversity that would follow as a natural result of this policy.

The National Counselling Society recognises that passive policies will not in themselves provide equality of opportunity and specific and positive programs of action are needed.

The National Counselling Society acknowledges that we have a duty, both moral and legal, to ensure that we do not discriminate unfairly in our employment and management practices, in the work we undertake and in the services we provide.

1. The National Counselling Society is committed actively to oppose oppression and discrimination in all areas of our work and in relation to members, staff, committee members, outside trainers/facilitators and other organisations with whom we work.
2. We will take seriously our duty not to discriminate against anyone on the grounds of gender, race, colour, nationality, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, class, age, disability, having dependants, HIV status or perceived lifestyle.
3. All policies and practices associated with The National Counselling Society’s role as an employer, register holder and professional association must be applied with strict observance of (2) above.
4. In offering membership or employment or in its general dealings, the Society will ensure that all individuals are treated with fairness and in line with equal opportunities policy and practice.
5. We will seek to ensure that our individual and organisational members work within equal opportunities guidelines and we will take seriously any accusation of discrimination by them.
6. Discriminatory acts or breaches of the equal opportunities policy by staff will be taken seriously and may lead to disciplinary action.

The aim of the Society is to ensure that we positively promote a diverse and inclusive Society. Good practise in equality and diversity underpins everything that we do and is evident in all of our policies and procedures.

We evaluate the impact that our policies and procedures could have on either individuals or groups based on age, ethnicity, disability, race, religion or belief, gender or sexual orientation.

The Society welcomes feedback from our members and the public to help us ensure that we promote equality of opportunity to all.

All employees of the Society seek to further our aims and treat all those with whom they interact with dignity and respect.

Last reviewed on: 09/07/2021

Next review due: 09/07/2022