Equality and Diversity
In this section you can find out about our policies and plans for equality and human rights and about specific work we are carrying out in relation to the different areas of equality.
In 2011 we adopted our Equality and Diversity Policy which outlines our commitment to equality and diversity and in April 2012 eight equality objectives were adopted to shape the work we do to tackle inequality and discrimination.
These objectives are helping us to meet our public sector equality duties under the Equality Act 2010.
As part of these duties we must address the need to promote equality of opportunity, end unlawful discrimination and harassment as well as work to improve relations between the different communities which make up Derbyshire.
One of the main ways we can do this is by carrying out equality impact analysis, a process which helps inform decisions made by the council.
We are working hard to advance equality and to tackle discrimination and harassment against people because of their protected characteristics. This includes work to improve race and faith based equality, gender equality, equality for disabled people, for people of all ages, and because of sexual orientation and gender re-assignment.
Acting fairly as an employer is an important way we can demonstrate our commitment to equality. You can find out more about our work to become a fair and diverse employer from this page.
Any enquiries about our work in relation to equality and diversity can be made to our Senior Policy Officer for Equalities on 01629 538384 or email: equalityanddiversity@derbyshire.gov.uk
Help with interpretation and translation
We have information on the help available when you telephone Call Derbyshire. We have a telephone based interpretation service for callers, including emergency calls, which is available in all the main languages spoken in Derbyshire.
Let our team know if you need help because your first language is not English. They will be able to arrange an appropriate telephone based or face to face interpreter to help with communications, although it may not be possible to provide this immediately if a face to face interpreter is required.
We also have information on British Sign Language. If you need the help of a British Sign Language Interpreter please let the service you are contacting know. They will then arrange for an interpreter to be available, although it may not be possible to provide this immediately.
We are reviewing our procedures for interpreting and translation services and will be publishing more guidance for customers and employees. This will include a policy which explains the circumstances under which we would provide interpreting and translation services.
For general enquiries about these services please contact:
John Cowings
Senior Policy Officer - Equalities
Tel: 01629 538384
email: equalityanddiversity@derbyshire.gov.uk
Towards a fair and diverse Derbyshire Seminar
On 3 October 2012 an event was held to promote awareness and commitment towards working to achieve our eight equality objectives. More than 170 people from across the organisation attended the event at County Hall in Matlock. For more information please download the document at the foot of the page and photographs from the event.
IDAHO − International Day Against Homophobia − 17 May 2013
International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) campaigns for improvements in the quality of life for LGBT people. It is celebrated on 17 May each year to mark the declassification of homosexuality as a mental illness by the World Health Organisation.
Related documents
The following documents are in Portable Document Format (PDF). You can download software to view PDF documents for free from the Adobe website (opens in a new window)
The following document is in Word format. You can download software to view Word documents for free from the Word viewer page (opens in a new window) of the Microsoft website.
- Laurence Clark 23rd October 2012 (587KB)
- Sylvia Lancaster at DCC 3rd October 2012 (349KB)
- Market place 3rd October 2012 (3896KB)
- Event summary - Towards a fair and diverse Derbyshire - 3rd October 2012 (21KB)
- Audience shot 3rd October 2012 (294KB)
- International Womens Day 2013 A5 flyer (411KB)
- International Womens Day 2013 flyer (302KB)
- International Womens Day 2013 (27KB)