Equalities Officer

Introduction
Local authorities employ equality officers also known as advisers, to look after the needs of people of different protected characteristics covered by the Equality Act 2010 such as; race, sex, disability, age, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity.

Work Environment
A lot of the work is office based although equality officers will need to be able to travel to all workplaces and parts of the community to carry out elements of their jobs. Travelling to mid-Wales may be a requirement of the post to attend All Wales Equality Network meetings such as those held by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Daily Activities
The work of equality officers is wide ranging and can include all or some of the activities listed below:

  • identifying equality issues in the work place with the aim of ensuring that no one is discriminated against on grounds of race, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, age or religious belief in either employment or access to services;
  • supporting the integration of equal and diversity initiatives into the provision of all services by liaising with other departments and corporate services;
  • introducing (and reviewing) policies and practices to ensure that the local authority works toward achieving a more balanced workforce;
  • encouraging equality and diversity projects within the community, working with all kinds of groups and organisations including women's groups, disabled people's groups, older people and younger people's groups, faith councils, Black Minority Ethnic groups, organisations such as Stonewall and the LGBT Centre for Excellence Wales, transgender networks, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission etc.;
  • promoting local, national and international equality and diversity initiatives and events such as international women's week;
  • advising on issues of recruitment, staff development and other internal policies and procedures;
  • providing or organising equality awareness training to officers covering equality legislation, the responsibilities of the organisation and of individuals as employees;
  • providing or organising specific training to officers on undertaking equality impact assessments (EIAs), the law, the assessment process and looking at EIA examples. 

Local authorities however adopt a wide range of equal and diversity programmes and no one job is typical. Equality officers have contact with people ranging from chief executives to voluntary workers and members of the general public.  They assess community needs and examine responses to, for example, racial attacks or the lack of facilities for ethnic minority groups/disabled people/women/transgender people/people of different religion and beliefs, etc.

Skills & Interests
Much of the work is in very sensitive areas where a high degree of negotiation, communication and understanding is called for. The success of equal and diversity programmes depends on good teamwork and on successful promotion of the important issues.  Equality officers therefore must be able to prioritise and have a dedicated interest in the job and equality matters generally.

They also must be prepared to be 'an agent for change' (ie, assess where change is needed and develop strategies to ensure that this occurs).

The role can be taxing and highly stressful at times.  To cope with this, it is useful if equality officers can demonstrate a level of detachment.

Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry qualifications needed to be an equalities officer, although many are members of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Employers are often more interested in relevant background and commitment, although work in Human Resource departments, professional training in social work or youth and community is often an advantage.  A sound knowledge of equality and diversity issues and legislation and good communication skills are all relevant to the job. Self motivation and administrative abilities are also required.

Future Prospects & Opportunities
Opportunities exist in established units, particularly in larger councils, although changes to council structures in recent times has led to a reduction in specialist posts. More equalities officers are now based in various departments where they take responsibility for the integration of equalities into the work of the services.  While promotion to senior post is possible, equality and diversity units are small and career advancement may involve moving to another councils or to a different post in the same council.

Further Information & Services
Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development www.cipd.co.uk
Equality and Human Rights Commission www.equalityhumanrights.com
Government Equalities Office http://homeoffice.gov.uk/equalities/

You may find further information about this area of work through Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or in your local library, careers office or school careers library.

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