EDI Charter

Our commitment to Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Citizens Advice Halton recognises the positive value of diversity. We are committed to the provision of a supportive culture for our staff and volunteers, our stakeholders and everyone who needs our service.

We will:

• Promote Equity – We will promote fairness and equity across all aspects of our organisation and services. We recognise that people have different circumstances, experiences and barriers, and that treating everyone fairly may require different approaches and reasonable adjustments. We will consider accessibility and individual needs when designing and delivering our services, policies and practices.
• Encourage Belonging – We will foster a culture where everyone feels welcome, valued, respected and able to be themselves. We will encourage open communication, mutual respect and positive relationships across our organisation. Everyone should feel that they have a place within Citizens Advice Halton and that their contributions matter.
• Celebrate Diversity – We recognise respect and celebrate the different backgrounds, identities, cultures, perspectives, abilities and experiences that make up our organisation and community. We believe diversity strengthens our organisation and helps us better understand and respond to the needs of the people we support.
• Embed Inclusion – Equality, diversity and inclusion will be embedded throughout the way we operate, rather than treated as a standalone initiative. We will consider EDI in our decision-making, recruitment, volunteering, training, service delivery, communications, partnerships and governance. We will provide opportunities for staff and volunteers to develop their understanding of EDI and encourage everyone to take responsibility for creating an inclusive culture.
• Challenge Discrimination – We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, victimisation or other forms of unfair treatment, either within our own organisation or in the wider community. We will challenge discriminatory behaviour and practices when we encounter them and provide appropriate support to anyone who experiences discrimination.

Our Trusted Partners

We will ensure that our trusted partners:

• Have a shared commitment to EDI and that this is built into how we design services and how we work together.
• Will hold us to account if we fail to meet out EDI commitments.
• Will use our partnership to help create a fairer, more inclusion Halton.

Our Staff and Volunteers

Our staff and volunteers will support our commitments by:

• Treating with respect and dignity every client, colleague or stakeholder. We will create an environment were everyone feels welcome and able to be themselves.
• Recognising that people have different needs and experiences. Our staff and volunteers will work to remove barriers, make adjustments and provide an appropriate level of support.
• Speaking up, challenging and learning when we encounter discrimination, prejudice or unfairness.

Our Trustees

The Trustee Board will support these commitments by:

• Attracting and recruiting from a diverse group of candidates to become trustees, removing barriers to participation, and providing them with an inclusive induction and ongoing support.
• Ensuring all trustees have equality of opportunity to contribute to decision making and maintaining inclusive behaviours in how it conducts all of its business.
• Assessing the board’s own performance in supporting Citizens Advice Halton’s EDI commitments and acting to remedy any gaps in its understanding or practice.