Shared Lives Guidance No 6.01.

PSS Shared Lives Guidance

Equality and Diversity

Introduction

All people have the same human rights. However the PSS Shared Livesscheme recognises that some individuals and groups can sometimes be discriminated against, for example, on the grounds of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, HIV/AIDs, marital status, or age. We are committed to working in ways that value diversity and promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

Definitions of Equality and Diversity are as follows:

  • Equality is a legal framework to protect against discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and foster good relations between people with 'protected characteristics'.
  • Diversity is the valuing of our individual differences and talents, creating a culture where everyone can participate, thrive and contribute.
  • Diversity is multi-dimensional and includes,race,disability,class,economic status,age,gender and transgender, sexuality,faith and belief.

How will this happen?

As part of their induction, Shared Lives carers and workers in this service will receive information and training about legislation relating to equal opportunities and about each person’s right to:

  • live a meaningful and fulfilling life
  • achieve all they can
  • be valued for who they are, including their ethnic background, language, culture and faith
  • be treated equally
  • take part in ordinary living
  • access services and resources available in the community
  • live in an environment that is free from bullying, harassment or discrimination
  • complain without fear of being victimised

Shared Lives workers and Shared Lives carers are encouraged to be aware of their own behaviour and attitudes. Their personal development will be promoted through regular review / appraisal of their work and individual training plans. Working practices will be kept up-to-date through ongoing monitoring, supervision and training and through learning from experiences and complaints and continually striving for improvement.

The PSSShared Lives scheme make sure that anyone who is interested in Shared Lives arrangements can access information by providing this in plain English and in a variety of other languages and formats as required. The criteria for who can be offered Shared Lives arrangements are explained in the PSS Shared Livesscheme’s Statement of Purpose and arrangements for accessing the service are explained in our written policies and procedures for referrals, assessment of needs, and matching and introductions. Shared Lives arrangements are not right for everyone and decisions and agreements are based on choice and whether we can meet a person’s needs.

Shared Lives carers

Applications to become a Shared Lives carer are actively encouraged from all sectors of the community and the PSS Shared Livesscheme advertise in different ways in order to achieve this. Shared Lives carer assessments aim to find evidence of whether the applicants have the experiences and competences suitable for this role. This includes having awareness and understanding of a multi-cultural society, so applicants are asked about their attitudes and values, their commitment to support people as equal members of the community and their ability to challenge prejudice and discrimination. The scheme manager’s approval decisions are based on information and evidence from the assessment and depend on whether the applicants can meet the needs of people choosingShared Lives arrangements.

The Shared Lives Panel includes people who are or have opted forShared Lives arrangements or who are or have been Shared Lives carers. Other members are recruited according to their particular areas of expertise and their relevance to Shared Lives, with the aim of having a useful cross-section of experiences. We aim to recruit members who reflect the population in the geographic area and/or the specialisms of this service.

When matching people who will be using or living in a Shared Lives arrangement to a Shared Lives carerthe PSS Shared Lives scheme will consider a range of information in order to find the match that is most likely to be successful. Factors for a successful match will include gender, age, interests, links to the community,ethnic origin, religion, health and plans for the future.

Shared Lives workers

Applications to work or volunteer in the PSS Shared Livesscheme are actively encouraged from all sectors of the community. Written job descriptions and person specifications explain the essential and desirable experiences, skills and qualifications for the job. Recruitment will depend on references and completion of other safety checks as well as on the candidate’s employment history and qualifications.

The PSS Shared Livesscheme’s office premises are accessible to all people and special equipment or reasonable adaptations can be provided for workers when necessary i.e. Braille computer, adjustable desk, etc.

All

As part of evaluating whether the Shared Lives scheme is being effective in promoting equal opportunities and diversity the PSS Shared Livesschememonitors referrals, advertising, applications and assessment statistics and procedures. In order to do this we may ask people using Shared Lives to complete an Equal Opportunities/Diversity Monitoring form. We also have active links with community workers and/or organisations working with minority and discriminated against groups in order to promote fair access and make sure the service is responsive to individual needs.

PSS Shared LivesReg Charity No. England & Wales: 224469

Registered Company: 214077 1