VISION
London Youth Opera is committed to creating a culture in which diversity, equality and inclusion are embedded and in which discrimination is not tolerated. London Youth Opera recognises the need for a diverse community of audiences and participants representative of the diversity across London, and to this end is working towards building and maintaining an environment which values diversity and welcomes and includes all.
POLICY STATEMENT
London Youth Opera believes in principles of social justice, acknowledges that discrimination can affect people adversely, and is committed to challenge all forms of inequality. To meet this objective, London Youth Opera aims to ensure that:
- Individuals are treated fairly, with dignity and respect regardless of their age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, religion, belief or lack of belief, or because someone is married or in a civil partnership. These are known as “protected characteristics”.
- It promotes an inclusive and supportive environment for participants and visitors
- It recognises the various contributions to the achievement of London Youth Opera’s mission made by individuals from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of lived experiences
London Youth Opera is committed to monitoring the impact and effectiveness of this Policy to assess whether any discrimination is occurring and, if appropriate, act to ensure it is eliminated.
DEFINITIONS
i) Users/participants = those using, or seeking to use, London Youth Opera’s services/facilities, including, but not limited to, individuals attending rehearsals, workshops and external events; community participants; parents and young people; visitors to London Youth Opera’s premises, including audience members, and potential employees (job applicants).
AIMS OF THE POLICY AND UNDERPINNING PRINCIPLES
Through its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and associated Codes of Practice, the organisation aims:
- To foster and maintain an organisational culture and practice which embraces diversity, respects cultural difference and actively seeks to eliminate any form of discrimination on grounds of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, religion, belief or lack of belief, or because someone is married or in a civil partnership
- To make certain that no organisational policy or practice leads to unfavourable treatment of staff or other stakeholders on the grounds of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, religion, belief or lack of belief, or because someone is married or in a civil partnership
- To raise awareness amongst staff of equality issues and their obligations in the implementation of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy;
- To promote programmes of work addressing diversity and equality issues, and to monitor and evaluate their success.
The policy is guided by the following principles, that:
- all visitors should enjoy a safe environment free from discrimination and harassment/bullying
- all should have equal access to services that are available at London Youth Opera
- initiatives continue to be used to redress inequalities and discriminatory practice
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY
Implementation of this policy will be led by the Trustees of London Youth Opera and be undertaken by all London Youth Opera staff and collaborators.
RESPONSIBILITIES
London Youth Opera and it’s staff and collaborators are responsible for:
- supporting and implementing the aims of this policy
- promoting equality of opportunity
- contributing to an environment free of fear and intimidation and which celebrates diversity
- ensuring that their behaviour and actions do not amount to discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation in any way
This policy is supported by an Equal Opportunities Policy & Procedures for staff, which is appended to this document. The EO Policy outlines London Youth Opera’s commitment to creating a work environment free of harassment and bullying, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
COMMUNICATION OF POLICY
London Youth Opera will provide an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statement in publications and is committed to using non-discriminatory language in all internal and external communications both written and verbal. The organisation will provide documents in different formats if requested by disabled applicants.
BREACH OF THE POLICY
London Youth Opera will take seriously any instances of infringement of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy by staff, collaborators or users/participants. Any instances of infringement will be investigated and where appropriate will be considered under the relevant complaints/grievance and disciplinary policy. In the case of any breach of the policy by users/participants, the Trustees will take appropriate action depending on the nature of the incident.
MONITORING AND REVIEW
London Youth Opera will seek to assess the impact of its policies users to ensure real improvements are being made in tackling discrimination and promoting diversity.
LAW RELATING TO THIS DOCUMENT
Equality Act 2010
Equality Act 2010 (Disability) Regulations 2010 (SI 2010/2128)
This policy will be regularly monitored by the Trustees of London Youth Opera and will be subject to annual review.
Date: Reviewed 4 April 2025