Equality and Diversity

Probation in Lancashire aims to treat all people fairly, respecting and upholding human rights and equality.

We know that discrimination can occur in many forms and we are committed to its elimination, adopting policies of positive action where that is permitted.

Our aim is to ensure that in our Service nobody should suffer discrimination as a result of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, age, relationship status, disability, sexual orientation, religious or political belief or any other ground that cannot be shown to be justified.

Our focus on equality and diversity applies to all aspects of our work in providing services to offenders and in our staff recruitment and employment procedures.

• Race Equality. We work to our area Race Equality Action Plan and we review this regularly. We have a Black and Asian Staff Network Group enabling members of staff to contribute to improving policies and procedures for people from minority ethnic backgrounds.
• Disability. In our recruitment and selection, we encourge applications from disabled people. We hold the 'Positive about disabled people' employer benchmark.
• Gender and sexual orientation. We hold the Navajo Gay Friendly Charter Mark. A directory of services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people is available to staff in all our probation offices. A Lesbian and Gay Advisory Group addresses issues of sexual orientation relating to how we deliver our services.

Promoting Equality and Diversity

We work closely with local community groups to increase awareness and to encourage recruitment from groups within the community who are under-represented within our workforce. We take part in careers fairs and youth conferences and visit schools, colleges and universities.