Promoting Equality and Diversity

The Fostering Service is committed to delivering care and providing services that are inclusive and non-discriminatory. This includes (but is not limited to) not discriminating (directly or indirectly) on the basis of a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010:

• Age;
• Disability;
• Gender;
• Marriage and civil partnership;
• Pregnancy and maternity;
• Race;
• Religion or belief;
• Sex;
• Sexual orientation.

Crimes committed against someone because of their disability, transgender-identity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation are hate crimes and should be reported to the police. If you need advice regarding this please speak to the Fostering Service.

Hate crimes can include:

• Threatening behaviour;
• Assault;
• Robbery;
• Damage to property;
• Inciting others to commit hate crimes;
• Harassment;
• Online abuse.

If you are concerned that the child in your care may have committed a hate crime, please discuss this worry with the Fostering Service.

In addition:

1. We encourage children to develop respect for themselves and for others;
2. We deliver services that recognise and build on the strengths of children and young people from all cultures, religions, gender, age, sexual orientation, ability and backgrounds; in ways that meet their needs and help them to achieve their full potential;
3. Foster carers should ensure every effort is made to ensure that homes are welcoming to all children and young people and others significant in their care and wellbeing. In addition to this, resources used to develop work with children and young people are chosen for their suitability, positive image and anti-oppressive nature;
4. Children and young people are offered opportunities to try out new experiences, which are not restricted by traditional gender options;
5. Foster carers are expected to safely challenge attitudes, behaviour and language that are non-inclusive and discriminatory, in a positive way. This includes bullying, homophobic behaviour, racism, sexism, radicalisation and any other forms of discrimination (direct or indirect);
6. Children are supported and helped to treat others in a non-discriminatory way.

Please remember that some children have come from households where they have been exposed to unacceptable and inappropriate views and beliefs. The children in your care will need understanding, guidance and support to understand why we need to respect themselves and others.

1. All children/young people are given the opportunity to be cared for and educated. Where possible this is alongside their peers in order to develop each child to reach their full potential;
2. Children/young people are encouraged and supported to understand their rights and be well-informed about ways of challenging discrimination;
3. Foster carers are expected to identify local community resources that contribute to meeting the needs of children/young people - these are highlighted and promoted and where they do not meet required needs alternatives are sought and suitably identified regardless of geographical location;
4. Additional support accessed through supervision and training will be offered to foster carers who are finding difficulty in understanding diverse or complex situations for children.

Please see: Brent Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2024-2028