Voluntary Sector North West has recently published research undertaken by CLES and partners at the Centre for Local Policy Studies exploring the impact of emerging government policies upon equalities issues in the North West. The research has found that:

1. Reforms have come at a cost
2. New forms of representation are weak and exclude equalities groups
3. Spending cuts are damaging voluntary sector capacity to deliver big society
4. The new policy framework is liable to reinstate old patterns of exclusion and discrimination
5. Implementation is disproportionately harming the most excluded
6. The capacity of equalities groups to participate and hold public bodies to account is heading towards a point of critical failure. (more…)

This strategic plan has been developed following a wide ranging consultation with external stakeholders including the charity sector, the Government, Parliament and the public, as well as an internal consultation with our people. A key message that emerged was that the Commission, taking into account its reduced resources, needs to focus on what only the regulator can do: 

Introduction 

• Registration of charities;
• Generic guidance;
• Statutory advice or permissions;
• Transparency through charity annual returns; and
• Investigation of alleged wrongdoing. (more…)

Given current threats to the Human Rights Act, the Equality and Diversity Forum (EDF) sees an urgent need to advocate for respect for human rights in the UK, including those of minorities who are particularly likely to be the focus of popular and media hostility. (more…)

Big Society doesn’t do enough to help ‘the little society’: Without a coherent implementation plan, there is confusion over message, whilst smaller charities face barriers in contracting and commissioning policies, says Public Administration Select Committee (PASC). (more…)

Advice briefing document on Equality Act 2010 has been produced for school leaders, school staff and governing bodies in maintained schools and Academies. It may also be useful for local authorities and parents.

To access the document, follow the link.

Recent research revealed that the majority of schools (62 per cent) were unaware of the Single Equality Duty (now known as the Public Sector Equality Duty) and the range of protected equality strands covered. Specific duties are coming into force this autumn as schools will have to set equality objectives detailing what they will do to address the persistent causes of inequality. (more…)

Download the full Plain English guide to the Localism Act – Update.

Summary

This document describes the main measures of the Localism Act under four headings:

• new freedoms and flexibilities for local government
• new rights and powers for communities and individuals
• reform to make the planning system more democratic and more effective
• reform to ensure that decisions about housing are taken locally (more…)

The tenth issue of Among Equals, the quarterly campaign update from The Equality Trust, is out now!

This issue of the newsletter includes

• Our new campaign: Act Local = Close the Gap
  
• Occupying the news agenda
  
• Brand new inequality fact-sheets
  
• News from Equality West Midlands

Download the latest issue from The Equality Trust

A report by Sheffield Hallam University, Tackling Homophobia and Transphobia In Settings Supporting Young People, examined how LGBT issues are tackled in school and youth work settings in South Yorkshire.

A questionnaire and interviews with young people revealed that many felt professionals did not properly understand the issue, with staff in some settings using homophobic language themselves. Some students also reported school policies that isolated LGBT young people, such as asking them to get changed separately from their peers for PE lessons.

The research found that LGBT young people appeared to expect, or even accept, the bullying they experienced and also reported mental health problems impacted on school attainment and attendance. (more…)

Recent Rulings Round Up – Courtesy of the Solution’s Marlene Ellis

 Many organisation’s are wondering how human rights and the new Equality Act will play a part in their day-to-day work.

Marlene Ellis of The Solution has put together a few briefings of cases that have recently come to light which reflect the new Equality Act. (more…)