Salford Equality Network Terms of Reference Purpose of the Network To promote the equality vision, celebrate the diversity of our communities and strive to improve equality and cohesion within Salford. Salford Equality Network will drive the delivery of the Equality Strategy for Salford, in accordance with the citywide action plan and development of an Equality Strategy for Salford. Description and relationship to Salford City Partnership Salford Equality Network is a voluntary body steering the delivery of the Equality Strategy for Salford and its associated action plan. This includes the development of an Equality Charter for Salford. The Network also acts as an advisory group / challenge board for equality and diversity issues as they arise across the city to help inform Salford City Partnership make informed decisions. Salford City Partnership (City Partner Group) has the overall responsibility for delivery of the strategy and development of an Equality Charter for Salford. The Network is also accessible to residents, workers and visitors to Salford and performance against the action plan will be made public on the Salford City Partnership website. Through the Network members, and the communities that they represent, will share information and intelligence; and where available share resources to ensure the best equality within the city. Principles of working (collaborative partnership approach) The Network is owned by all its members. It is a coalition of organisations and individuals from more than one sector who are free to work together for a common aim or set of compatible aims, and who share resources and responsibilities and agree to work together in a cooperative and mutually supportive fashion1

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RAISE “The Step by Step Guide to Successful Partnership Working”

We will achieve this through: 1: Development of a shared and clear purpose of and collective understanding of the purpose of the Network; 2: Building relationships between members; 3: Taking responsibility for representatives; 4: Having effective and productive meetings, performing effectively within clearly defined functions and roles; 5: Appropriate ownership of key objectives and collective ownership of the strategy; 6: Enabling equal influence and contribution and accountability. Our Equality Vision Salford is growing - with a bold ambition to become a modern global city. Our greatest asset is our people and the rich diversity of our communities. We are committed to equality; giving everyone equal chances and opportunities to live and fulfil their potential in a city where everyone feels safe and respected. Together we will celebrate our diversity which is the spirit of Salford. Functions / Objectives Salford Equality Network will progress the four objectives detailed within the strategy / citywide action plan:    

Removing barriers that prevent disadvantaged groups from playing a full and equal role in decision-making. Developing a better understanding of the diversity of our local communities, bringing people together and building a sense of belonging. Developing the capacity of local organisations to be more responsive to the diverse population. Connecting residents from Salford’s diverse communities to opportunities.

Chair Councillor Paul Dennett, Strategic Assistant Mayor for Humanegment and Workforce Reform. Membership Salford Equality Network is a voluntary arrangement and membership is by organisation or other body (eg, forum). The success of the partnership relies on the will and commitment of its members and includes representatives from the public, private and community, voluntary and social enterprise sectors (Appendix A). Members will include those organisations / agencies that provide equality services; are responsible for the delivery of services to communities across Salford; or can represent or have voice for a particular group or protected characteristic. Together we share good practice and provide insight into the needs of the nine protected characteristics:

        

Age Disability Gender reassignment Pregnancy or maternity Race, including ethnic or national origins, colour or nationality Religion or belief, including lack of belief Sex or gender Sexual orientation or identity Marital or civil partnership status

Furthermore, we also strive to ensure the Network takes into account the equality needs of the most marginalised groups within our community. This includes, for example, those with caring responsibilities and those in care, homeless, refugees and people seeking asylum, migrant workers, people in and coming out of the criminal justice system, people with substance misuse problems, deprivation and socio-economic status. Where appropriate the Network will link into the various thematic partnerships and safeguarding boards to ensure equality is coordinated across the city for issues such as safeguarding, skills and work, etc. How we work The Network operates through a range of formats including meetings, website, focussed work and other communications, including email. We will continue to investigate, and where able, adopt different methods of inclusion for the most marginalised groups and communities within the city. Whole Network meetings will be held three times per year in February, June and October. Venues for meetings will be agreed in advance and provided by a range of Network members. Members of the Network have equal responsibility for the delivery of the strategy and action plan. Work programmes will be jointly developed which will include milestones and target deadlines for the completion of tasks. The Chair ensures:     

that a shared culture and language, common purpose and trust are endorsed through a collaborative leadership style; all members have opportunity to have equal contribution; meetings are conducted in a fair and transparent business-like fashion; decisions are clear; and any required actions have a clearly identified lead organisation to take forward this action, and a timescale.

Members of the Network ensure:     

they make every effort to participate in Network activities - this includes attending and participating in meetings; they are able to capture the views of the group, organisation, partnership, and / or community that they represent and will ensure the Network business is reported back to their group, organisation, partnership or community as required; they are able to make informed recommendations on behalf of their group, organisation, partnership and / or community; they will take forward any actions that they have agreed to develop, and then report back any progress to the Network; and they endorse the collaborative approach and work to ensure its achievement.

‘Lead’ organisations will provide guidance and expertise based on their role or agency within Salford or their experience within the identified activity. Confidentiality All documents will be shared and made public (on the Salford City Partnership website) unless there is a specific legal or commercial reason not to do so. In such cases, Members of the Network will respect confidentiality in relation to any sensitive information that is shared. Support The Network is supported by Salford City Council’s Partnerships and Engagement Team, Strategy and Change, including servicing meetings, management of the Network page on the Salford City Partnership website and the performance management framework. Performance measures Salford Equality Network drives the work of the strategy and action plan. Performance indicators will be agreed by the Network and built into the Partnership’s performance management framework. Salford City Partnership has overall responsibility for the successful delivery of equality targets. The Partnership performance management framework will reflect the work of the city’s thematic partnerships and safeguarding boards and partners therein. This will be coordinated by Salford City Council’s Partnership and Engagement Team, Strategy and Change. The work of the Network will undergoing continual review, we will measure the impact of our work on the communities that we represent. We will recognise the excellent work already happening within Salford and celebrate successes and achievements as they arise.

Task and Finish Groups A number of task and finish groups were agreed at the launch of the Network on 29 June 2015. These concentrate on specific pieces of work within the citywide action plan. Each group will generate its own work programme that will include targets and milestones. The groups will report directly to the Network on progress. Objective 1:  

Equality Charter Group – to lead on the development of the Equality Charter for Salford by end December 2015. Consultation and Engagement Group – to provide advice on how best to ensure communities are included within the decision-making processes, learning and other activities within the city.

Objective 2: 

Community Cohesion Policy Group – to provide a steer on the refresh of the Community Cohesion Policy and associated action plan based on improved knowledge and involvement by communities themselves.

Objective 3:  

Equality Training Group – to coordinate the joint development of training materials and delivery of equality, diversity and cultural awareness training to workers and professionals across the city. Workforce Equality Group – to ensure good equality practices, policies and procedures are in place within the workforce and employees from underrepresented groups are supported.

Objective 4: 

Maximising Opportunities Group – to support under-represented communities into employment, training and other opportunities that will help them realise their aspirations and potential.

END 30 September 2015

Appendix A: Salford Equality Network Membership Membership to the Network is open to all constituted organisations from across the city. Current members include: Partnerships   

Salford City Partnership (City Partner Group) Thematic Partnerships Safeguarding Boards (Children / Adults)

Public Sector                     

Armed Forces Forest Bank Prison GMB Union GM Fire and Rescue Service GM Police GM West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Jobcentre Plus NHS GM Commissioning Support Unit NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group Salford City College Salford City Council (inc. Elected Members and Staff Equality Groups) Salford City Unison Salford Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust Schools Transport for Greater Manchester Trade Union Congress Unite the Union University of Manchester University of Salford Urban Vision

Private Sector   

GM Chamber of Commerce Media City / The Landing The Business Group

Community, Voluntary and Social Enterprise Sector                                 

Access 2 All Areas Age UK AFRUCA Celebrating Diversity Group City West Housing Trust Community Committees Europia Gaddums Centre Healthwatch Salford Integrated Engagement Board Interlink Foundation Out IN Salford Salford Carer’s Centre Salford Community Leisure Salford CVS Salford Forum for Refugees and People Seeking Asylum Salford Disability Forum Salford Foundation Salford Interfaith Network Salford Link Salford Sports Network Salford Unemployed Community Resource Centre Salford Women’s Centre Salix Homes Seedley and Langworthy Trust The Broughton Trust The Fed Third Sector Leadership Group Unlimited Potential Warm Hut Wai Yin Society Yemeni Community Association Youth Council