Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item 9

Human Resources Committee Meeting

15/03/200516 June 2006

Fairness and Dignity Forum Error! Bookmark not defined.

Report by the Chief Officer

Contact: Dave Curry Tel : 023 80 626 832 Email : [email protected]

1

Summary

1.1

This report summarises the content and the discussion held in the Fairness and Dignity Forum held at Hightown Fire Station on Thursday 18 May 2006.

2

RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined.(s)

a

That the Human Resources Committee note the contents of the Report.

b

That the Human Resources Committee notes the date and venue of the next meeting which is Wednesday 26 July 2006 commencing at 1000 hours at Basingstoke Fire Station.

3

Introduction Error! Bookmark not defined.and Background

3.1

Dave Curry welcomed the guest speaker Philip Udall from Solent MIND, a mental health Charity and Tony Ackland from AIM Higher who offer educational opportunities, who had been invited to Chair the debate.

4

Guest Speaker

4.1

Mr Udall advised that MIND offer a range of mental health services across Hampshire, supporting people in the home. In addition, they offer vocational services to integrate people into the working environment utilising Access to Work funding through central Government. He explained that 1 in 4 people in Britain is suffering a mental illness but people do recover and return to work. Stress in the workplace was discussed and Mr Udall advised that early recognition by managers and colleagues and intervention were imperative.

4.2

Debate

The first question posed to the floor to debate was :-

"Will the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act have a positive impact on the recruitment and retention on firefighters?"

There was healthy discussion on where the line could be drawn for someone to successfully undertake the role of a firefighter and what reasonable adjustments could be made. The possibility of splitting roles and recruiting specifically for these was discussed. The affect of the new national Firefighter selection tests and the effect these will have on recruitment were also discussed. It was felt that there should be more flexibility in the Service however, the main concern was that standards should not be reduced.

4.3

The second question was :-

How far should the Fire Service go in carrying out reasonable adjustments to appliances and equipment to widen access for employment opportunities for people with a disability?

It was agreed that this was desirable as many adjustments benefit both able bodied as well as disabled people and that advancing technology was assisting to increase time in employment.

4.4

The final question was :-

Should the Service make its buildings more accessible to people with disabilities?

It was felt that this should be the case. The Service currently undertake Equality Impact Assessments on all new development in the Service which takes disability into account.

4.5

Mr Ackland then closed the debate and congratulated the floor on their openness during the forum.

5

Update of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Equality and Diversity Progress

5.1

Andy Kettle advised that as a Local Authority, the Service were required to produce a Disability Discrimination Scheme and an Advisory Group had been established to assist with this. The Service will be setting targets for representation of people with disabilities in the workforce and the Action Plan will include positive initiatives to increase the number of people with disabilities in the Service to reach these targets. The Service was also looking at issues of engagement with disabled vulnerable people in the community.

5.2

Age discrimination legislation comes into force in October 2006 and this applies equally to both old and young people.

5.3

The Service are also required to produce a Gender Equality Scheme by April 2007 and the Equalities Team will be looking at promoting better gender equality in Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

5.4

The Outreach Workers have now been in place for approximately six months, working directly to the Equalities Team but providing a service to the entire organisation. Their work is focussed on improving relationships with minority ethnic groups and the Service is already reaping the rewards, both in Community Fire Safety and employment. In addition, cultural awareness sessions are being rolled out to all the Stations.

6

Close of Meeting

6.1

Andy Kettle thanked Philip Udall and Tony Ackland and all the participants for attendance and contribution to the discussion.

7

Contribution to Corporate Aims and Objectives

7.1

The Fairness and Dignity Forum, the discussion held and the issues that the Equality Team are progressing are providing a fundamental contribution to the achievement of the organisations aims and objectives and in particular IRMP objective MR9.

8

Risk Analysis

8.1

The Fairness and Dignity Forum provides an opportunity for Managers, Frontline Staff and Members to openly debate equalities issues and inform the Equalities Team of the feelings and concerns towards current initiatives and ideas. Engagement of staff is identified within the Corporate Risk register and the Fairness and Dignity Forum is seen as an important control measure in engaging staff in development of equalities and cultural change.

9

Resource Implications

9.1

There are no direct resource implications from the recommendations of the Report.

10

Equality Impact Assessment

10.1

Equality Impact Assessments are carried out on all new initiatives and ideas that maybe discussed at the Fairness and Dignity Forum. It was recognised however that there was still a need to widen the attendance to the Forum to include minority community representatives, which would develop the debate still further.

10.2

The proposals within this report are considered compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

11

Consultation

11.1

Consultation has not been required for the contents of this Report however, the Fairness and Dignity Forum serves as a useful method of consulting a wider audience over development in the areas of Equalities and Diversity.

Background Information (Section 100D of Local Government Act 1972)

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report:

"None"

Note: The list excludes: (1) published works; and (2) documents that disclose exempt or confidential information defined in the Act.