Independent Review Service
 for the Social Fund
  Race Equality Scheme   
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Race Equality Scheme for the Independent Review Service
The Independent Review Service provides the independent grievance process, by means of a review, for applicants who are dissatisfied with Jobcentre Plus' decisions on their applications to the discretionary Social Fund.

This Race Equality Scheme sets out how the Independent Review Service plans to continue meeting its duty under section 71(1) of the Race Relations Act 1976 (as amended) to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups.

IRS Business Values
Our business values, which we set out below, guide our staff and are the foundation of our approach to work:
  • provide an open and accessible service to all customers;
  • treat all customers, users and colleagues with respect and courtesy;
  • take all necessary steps to protect and keep secure information and data provided for our work;
  • respect and accept the differences of others and work together as an organisation to build a diverse workforce;
  • work to improve standards for all customers of the Social Fund;
  • promote easy access for customers and potential customers of the fund;
  • be open to learning in our work and use this to make improvements to the service we give;
  • provide a value for money service seeking improvements in the efficiency of our work;
  • deliver the best service for the customer and balance fairly the needs of our staff.
These core values help us to meet our duties under race equality legislation.

IRS Practices
The Independent Review Service:
  • Conducts regular customer surveys, and has conducted focus groups.
  • Meets with a wide variety of individuals and organisations which have an interest in the Social Fund and its independent review.
  • Monitors the ethnicity of customers on a regular basis.
  • Has an External Panel which gives independent scrutiny to our handling of complaints.
  • Has put in place a number of initiatives to improve access to our services (fuller details supplied in the "Access to Our Services" section, below.)
  • Has policies on diversity and equal opportunities and has delivered relevant training to staff.
  • Conducts regular staff surveys, and monitors the ethnicity of members of staff and job applicants.
Relevant Functions, Policies, and Proposed Policies
We have considered our functions, policies, and proposed policies and have set out in Appendix A those we consider relevant to our performance of the duty under section 71(1) of the Act.

Assessing and Consulting on the Likely Impact of Proposed Policies on the Promotion of Race Equality
When developing new policies, members of staff will consider the likely impact of proposed policies on the promotion of race equality. Assessment and consultation on the likely impact of proposed policies will be proportionate and will depend upon the nature of the policy, the relevance, if any, to the promotion of race equality and upon the nature and extent of any previous assessment or consultation relevant to the particular policy.

Assessments may include use of historical data, existing surveys, or new mechanisms.

Consultations may include members of staff, the staff council (including trade unions), individual users of the review service, individuals with relevant expertise and relevant organisations, local and national.

Monitoring the Impact of Policies on the Promotion of Race Equality
We will monitor the impact of our policies on the promotion of race equality. The means of monitoring will be tailored to the nature of the policy or policies concerned. Our monitoring processes will include:
  • Surveys of customers, customers' representatives, and staff.
  • Ethnic monitoring of customers and staff.
  • Monitoring of complaints.
  • Monitoring of the use of our language line and translation services.
Publishing the Results of Assessments, Consultations and Monitoring
The results of the assessments, consultations, and monitoring, referred to above, will be published annually on the IRS website, as they become available.

Public Access to Information and Services
We aim to make our information and services accessible to all. The following services are in place:
  • A translation service into different languages, including Braille, for our written communications.
  • Translation of oral communications through Language Line.
  • Translations of our leaflets into other languages on request.
  • A website providing information about the services provided by the Independent Review Service and about Social Fund law and procedures.
  • Communication by text-phone and telephone on a freephone number and by letter, facsimile, e-mail and large print.
  • Our leaflets have been quality assured by the Plain English Campaign, and members of staff have received plain English training.
Staff Training in connection with the Duties Imposed by the Act
We provide training in equal opportunities, diversity and relevant legislation for members of staff. This training will continue to be delivered and will be evaluated to ensure it remains effective.

Action Plan
The IRS Unified Diversity and Race Equality Action Plan sets out in detail our plans for fulfilling our duties under the Act. The action plan sets out key tasks, responsibilities and internal accountability processes. The IRS will account to the public for progress in the implementation of the plan on an annual basis, on our website and where appropriate in the Annual Report.

Comments on the Scheme
We welcome comments on our Race Equality Scheme from service users, members of staff and other interested parties. The Scheme will be reviewed in the light of any comments received. Comments may be directed to:

The Office Manager
Independent Review Service
4th Floor Centre City Podium
5 Hill Street
Birmingham
B5 4UB


Facsimile: 0121 606 2180
e-mail: Pauline.Adey@irs-review.org.uk

Appendix A: Functions/Policies/Proposed Policies Assessed as being relevant to the Independent Review Service's Duty under Section 71(1) of the Act

Function/Policy/Proposed Policy Priority
The Delivery and Administration of the Review High
The Handling of Complaints High
The Employment of Staff High
Public Information and Relations Medium

 
 
 
Please see our IRS Privacy Policy page for details on how we collect your information in connection with the Inspector's Review and how this information is used.