EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT

COMMITMENT AND SCOPE OF POLICY

1. Victim Support Scotland is committed to the principle of equality of opportunity for all in its employment, volunteering, access to its services and within its decision making structure.
2. All those involved in VSS must commit themselves to the principle of equality of opportunity and to its equal opportunities policies. This commitment will involve taking positive action to achieve the effective implementation of these policies.
3. VSS recognises that its services need to be delivered by a workforce that reflects the diversity of its communities. It is necessary therefore for this diversity to be appropriately represented throughout VSS.

   SPECIFIC POLICIES

4. VSS recognises that black people; people from minority ethnic communities; people with differing creeds; disabled people; young and older people; lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people may experience discrimination in society. VSS will adopt equal opportunities policies for these groups and will develop procedures and guidelines to ensure adherence to the policies.

   OBLIGATIONS

5. VSS believes that no member of staff, volunteer or client should receive less favourable treatment than another on grounds of gender, sexuality, age, disability, race, colour or ethnic origin or religion. In addition to its moral responsibility, VSS recognises its obligation under the relevant discrimination legislation.

   RESPONSIBILITIES

6. VSS accepts that the implementation of equal opportunity policies is the responsibility of all those within VSS, including the National Council, the Executive Committee, the senior management team, line managers, staff, volunteers and area committees. It is recognised, however, that those working at senior management level have a specific duty to set the required standards and ensure those standards are met.

   MONITORING

7. Policies and their practice will be monitored and evaluated regularly to ensure their effectiveness.