Collection of Equalities Data & Results
Collection of Data
Our staff will be collecting equality data in line with our new equality data collection procedures. You should note that these procedures are regulated by our data protection processes.
This means that we:
- only collect equality data if we are entitled to do so;
- process data securely and confidentially, as appropriate;
- restrict access to equality data*;
- only collect data if we have clear reasons or purposes for doing so;
- update information in ways agreed with you; and;
- destroy such data in line with our data retention schedule.
* Only staff who need to know this information in support of their employed function within AHA will have access to your information.
New equality data collection forms
We have also developed a new equality data collection form that tenants, governing body members and staff will be asked to complete. Although you only need to complete this form if you want to, it is stressed that information that we gather is used to promote your interests. Examples of this are given below.
Example 1: Knowing whether or not you are a disabled person. By letting us know if you are a disabled person and advising us of your needs, we can adjust our services to address your particular requirements. In law, this is known as making reasonable adjustments; failure to make such adjustments can constitute unlawful discrimination.
Example 2: Knowing your ethnicity. By telling us about your ethnicity and related needs, we can ensure providing you with appropriate services, for example, arranging interpreters for Polish tenants who do not speak English.
Example 3: Knowing your belief or religion. By letting us know your beliefs and needs, we can ensure that we do not discriminate in service provision. For instance, we would avoid holding meetings with you on dates notified to us as religious holidays.
Equalities Results
AHA began collecting equality data from our tenants in September 2022 so far to the 31st March 2023 we have collected 392 Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Survey Forms.
Please click on the links below to see the results for Ethnicity, Age, Religion, Disability & Sexual Orientation
If you have not already done so you can complete our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Survey by visiting our download page or if you would prefer to complete a paper survey please contact our Customer Service Team on 03451 772244 and they will post out a form with a return envelope. Alternatively you can call into any of our offices to pick up a form.
Implications for tenants
By participating in this equality data collection process, you will be supporting us to develop a data base that might assist AHA with choices for service provision, when meetings might be held etc. This data base will support us, not only to provide services tailored to your needs, but also to promote the Public Sector Equality Duty. As well as promoting equality objectives, the Duty requires us, when providing services, to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act.
Summary
Our new equality strategy has been developed to ensure that equality law and guidance is incorporated throughout all organisational services. An important aspect of the strategy is to collect equality data from tenants. We will use this information, not simply to ensure compliance with law and regulatory provisions, but to tailor housing services to the needs of tenants, where this is relevant and/or practical.
