Equal Opportunities for All

Everyone has a basic right to be treated equally.

At Connexions Surrey we believe that being treated equal is essential if young people are going to reach their full potential.

We have an Equal Opportunities Policy that states that every young person should be treated fairly regardless of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, religious belief, disability, sexuality, background and age.
This includes the rights to:

> Be treated equally.
> Be listened to.
> An equal quality of help and support.
> Confidentiality.
> Make comments, suggestions and complaints in confidence, and have these acted upon.
> Make your own informed choices and decisions.

There are many differences between people; these include differences of race, sex, sexuality and disability. These differences should not result in anyone being treated unfairly. Unfortunately, some people may hold unfavourable attitudes to certain groups of people based on uninformed generalisations. This is called prejudice. Prejudiced views can result in people being treated differently and unfairly because of the group they belong to, without regard to the qualities and identity of the individual - this is discrimination.

There are many different areas where young people may suffer discrimination but the three which are covered by law are sex, race and disability. This discrimination may occur at work or while seeking work, in education, in training or in a range of other situations.

If you feel someone is not treating you as an equal for some reason, if you feel that others are getting different or better treatment than you, you have a right to complain.

You can get help and support from agencies that are set up especially to eliminate discrimination or to support young people. Connexions Surrey will be able to help you contact these agencies and will give support with any questions regarding equal opportunities. If you have a Connexions Personal Adviser, talk to him/her, otherwise you can contact your nearest Connexions Centre.

You can contact the following organisations for information and help.

Disability Rights Commission
DRC Helpline
Freepost Mid 02164
Stratford-upon Avon
CV37 9HY
Tel: 08457 622 633
Email: ddahelp@stra.sitel.co.uk
Website: www.drc-gb.org

Equal Opportunities Commission
Arndale House
Arndale Centre
Manchester
M4 3EQ
Tel: 0845 601 5901
Email: info@eoc.org.uk
Website: www.eoc.org.uk

Racial Equality Council
Wel-Care House
53-55 Canbury Park Road
Kingston upon Thames
Surrey
KT2 6LQ
Phone: 0208 547 2332
E-mail:enquiries@kingstonrec.org
Racial Harassment Helpline:0208 296 9461

Commission for Racial Equality
St Dunstan's House
201-211 Borough High Street
London SE1 1GZ
Tel: 020 7939 0000
Email: info@cre.gov.uk
Website: www.cre.gov.uk

Useful websites
www.employers-forum.co.uk
Employers’ Forum on Disability - The national employers’ organisation focused on disability in the UK making it easier to recruit and retain disabled employees and to serve disabled customers.

LAGER General Enquiries: 020 7704 2205
Lesbian and Gay Employment Rights (LAGER) - a voluntary organisation to help lesbians and gay men who are experiencing problems at work or whilst looking for work.

www.stonewall.org.uk
Stonewall - A campaigning organisation for lesbian and gay equality.

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