We are consulting on two key documents, our Draft Equality and Inclusion Strategy and Draft Workforce Profile.  We are hoping that you, our community, will review these documents and let us know your thoughts on them. 

Consultation on these two documents is open until the 2 March 2012.  Details of how to get in touch with us are shown below.

Draft Equality and Inclusion Strategy 2011 : 2013

The draft Equality and Inclusion Strategy details South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s (SYFR’s) approach to equality.  It identifies for each of the eight protected characteristics contained within the public sector duty, our equality objectives.  The Strategy also provides guidance on key employment and community thematic priorities for each of the eight protected characteristics, along with an indication of priority education work and work to meet Fire and Rescue Equality Framework at the excellent level.

The equality objectives and thematic priorities have been developed from workshops involving staff and managers, equality staff groups and frontline employees working with vulnerable communities.  It is intended that the draft Strategy will continue to be crafted and changed through extensive consultation.

Both the equality objectives and thematic priorities will guide departments across SYFR in a process to identify departmental actions for 2011/12 and then 2012/13 to implement the Strategy and achieve the equality objectives.  All actions will be captured within SYFR Departmental Business Plans and progress.

The strategy focuses on meeting the needs and bringing down risks to the diverse communities of South Yorkshire.  It also focuses on the continuing need to build an organisation which, in its workforce and leadership profile, is representation of our communities.

What do we want from you?

We would like you to look at the Draft Equality and Inclusion Strategy 2011 : 2013 above and let us have your thoughts on the following questions:-

Have we got our priorities right?

What is missing?

How do you want to work with us to promote equality?

Further information

We have produced a leaflet to explain the content of our equality and inclusion Strategy which you can access by clicking here.

Draft Workforce Profile 2011

SYFR’s Draft Annual Workforce Profile 2011 provides an initial picture of SYFR’s workforce composition across six protected characteristics, race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, religion and belief and age.  The Profile also identifies best practice around equality monitoring in relation to the remaining three protected characteristics and where necessary actions for improvement before the publication of the next annual Workforce Profile in April 2012.

Key issues identified within the Workforce Profile are:

·         The variable rates of disclosure across protected characteristics by the workforce in SYFR

·         A range of gender inequalities at SYFR

·         Under-representation of BME groups in SYFR’s workforce.

·         A higher level of unwillingness to disclose disability status in the workforce than would be expected.

·         An aging workforce with fewer young employees

·         Under-representation and some lack of disclosure in relation to sexual orientation within SYFR workforce.

·         Unwillingness within the workforce to disclose in relation to religion and belief.

What do we want from you?

We would like you to look at the Draft Workforce Profile 2011 and let us have your thoughts on the following question:-

What else can we do to promote diversity at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue?

Access

If anyone requires copies of these documents in an alternative format (ie Braille, audio tape or large print) or language, these can be provided upon request by contacting customercare@syfire.gov.uk or Tel: 0114 253 2209 or from Customer Care, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, 197 Eyre Street, Sheffield South Yorkshire S1 3FG.

How to respond

Any comments should be sent to edconsultation@syfire.gov.uk or in writing to Equality & Diversity, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, 197 Eyre Street, Sheffield South Yorkshire S1 3FG by the 2 March 2012.

These questions are also available as a consultation form which can be completed and sent to Equality & Diversity, South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, 197 Eyre Street, Sheffield South Yorkshire S1 3FG by 2 March 2012 or by email to edconsultation@syfire.gov.uk If you would like to request a word version of this consultation form please email us using the email address above.

Alternaively, please submit your responses via our online survey