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One Step Counselling and Therapies C.I.C.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy

 

Last Updated: October 1, 2025

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One Step Counselling and Therapies C.I.C is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work. This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, contractors, trustees, service users, and anyone who interacts with our organisation.

We believe that everyone deserves equal access to mental health support and therapeutic services, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances. Our commitment to equality underpins our mission to help people take that "One Step" toward a more positive future.

 

One Step Counselling and Therapies C.I.C is committed to:

  • Eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment, and victimisation

  • Advancing equality of opportunity for all

  • Fostering good relations between people from different groups

  • Creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected

  • Ensuring our services are accessible and culturally sensitive

  • Promoting diversity in our workforce, volunteer base, and service delivery

 

This policy is underpinned by:

  • Equality Act 2010

  • Human Rights Act 1998

  • Welsh Language Act 1993 (Welsh Language Standards)

  • Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014

  • Relevant professional standards (BACP, NCPS)

 

We are committed to equality in relation to all protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010:

  • Age

  • Disability (including mental health conditions, learning disabilities, physical disabilities)

  • Gender reassignment

  • Marriage and civil partnership

  • Pregnancy and maternity

  • Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin)

  • Religion or belief (including lack of religion or belief)

  • Sex

  • Sexual orientation

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We also recognise and support equality in relation to:

  • Social and economic background

  • Welsh language speakers

  • Care experience

  • Neurodiversity

  • Military veterans

 

5.1 Accessible Services

We ensure our services are accessible by:

  • Offering sliding scale fees and free services for those in financial need

  • Providing wheelchair accessible premises at our Neath community hub

  • Offering services in multiple formats (individual, group, online, outdoor)

  • Supporting Welsh language communication where possible

  • Making reasonable adjustments for service users with disabilities

  • Providing culturally sensitive therapeutic approaches

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5.2 Inclusive Practice

Our therapeutic approach is:

  • Non-judgmental and respectful of all service users

  • Culturally competent and sensitive to diverse backgrounds

  • Trauma-informed recognising the impact of discrimination and oppression

  • Person-centred focusing on individual needs and preferences

  • Strengths-based celebrating diversity as a source of resilience

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5.3 Community Engagement

We actively engage with diverse communities through:

  • Partnerships with local equality organisations

  • Culturally specific programming and outreach

  • Multi-language information materials where possible

  • Community consultation on service development

  • Representation of diverse voices in our governance

 

6.1 Recruitment and Selection

We ensure fair recruitment by:

  • Using inclusive job advertisements and volunteer opportunities

  • Recruiting through diverse networks and platforms

  • Using competency-based selection processes

  • Providing reasonable adjustments during recruitment

  • Monitoring diversity in our recruitment processes

  • Offering equal opportunities for career development

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6.2 Workplace Culture

We create an inclusive workplace by:

  • Providing equality and diversity training for all staff and volunteers

  • Celebrating diversity through awareness days and events

  • Supporting employee networks and affinity groups where appropriate

  • Ensuring flexible working arrangements where possible

  • Providing access to mental health support for our workforce

  • Implementing anti-bullying and harassment procedures

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6.3 Professional Development

We support inclusive professional development through:

  • Equal access to training and development opportunities

  • Mentoring and support programmes

  • Cultural competency training for therapeutic staff

  • Leadership development for underrepresented groups

  • Supervision that addresses diversity and inclusion issues

 

7.1 Data Collection

We collect and monitor equality data on:

  • Service user demographics and satisfaction

  • Staff and volunteer demographics

  • Complaints and compliments relating to equality

  • Accessibility of our services and premises

  • Outcomes by different demographic groups

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7.2 Regular Review

We review our equality performance through:

  • Annual equality monitoring reports

  • Service user feedback and consultation

  • Staff and volunteer surveys

  • Community engagement activities

  • External equality assessments where appropriate

 

8.1 Reporting Discrimination

Anyone who experiences or witnesses discrimination, harassment, or exclusion should:

  • Report incidents to the Managing Director or designated equality contact

  • Use our formal complaints procedure if appropriate

  • Seek support from relevant professional bodies or external organisations

  • Access confidential support through our employee assistance programmes

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8.2 Investigation Process

All reports of discrimination will be:

  • Taken seriously and investigated promptly

  • Handled confidentially and sensitively

  • Investigated by appropriately trained personnel

  • Resolved with appropriate remedial action

  • Used to improve our policies and practices

 

All staff, volunteers, and trustees will receive:

  • Induction training on equality, diversity, and inclusion

  • Regular refresher training on equality issues

  • Specific training relevant to their role (e.g., cultural competency for therapists)

  • Updates on legal changes and best practices

  • Support to attend equality-focused professional development

 

We promote equality through our partnerships by:

  • Selecting suppliers and partners who share our equality values

  • Including equality criteria in procurement processes

  • Supporting local, diverse, and social enterprises where possible

  • Collaborating with equality organisations and community groups

  • Advocating for equality in sector networks and partnerships

 

We communicate our commitment to equality by:

  • Publishing this policy on our website and in accessible formats

  • Including equality statements in our promotional materials

  • Using inclusive language and imagery in all communications

  • Providing information in multiple formats and languages where possible

  • Celebrating diversity in our social media and public communications

 

12.1 Leadership Responsibility

Our Board of Directors and senior leadership team are responsible for:

  • Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

  • Ensuring adequate resources for equality initiatives

  • Monitoring progress against equality objectives

  • Reporting on equality performance to stakeholders

  • Modelling inclusive leadership behaviours

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12.2 Equality Objectives

We will set specific, measurable equality objectives and review progress annually. These objectives will focus on:

  • Increasing diversity in our workforce and volunteer base

  • Improving accessibility of our services

  • Enhancing cultural competency in service delivery

  • Strengthening community partnerships with diverse groups

  • Measuring and improving satisfaction across all demographic groups

 

This policy will be reviewed annually or following:

  • Changes in relevant legislation

  • Significant equality incidents or complaints

  • Feedback from service users, staff, or stakeholders

  • Recommendations from equality monitoring

  • Changes in our services or organisational structure

 

For questions about this policy or to report equality concerns, contact:

Emma-Jane Lovell, Managing Director   One Step Counselling and Therapies C.I.C   Email: Hello@onestepcounselling.org   Phone: 07861210632

External Support:

This policy reflects our unwavering commitment to creating a society where everyone can access the mental health support they need, regardless of who they are or their circumstances. Together, we can take "One Step" toward a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

Document Approval:

  • Managing Director: Emma-Jane Lovell

  • Date of Approval: 1st October 2025

  • Next Review Date: 1st October 2026

    Document Control

  • Policy Title: Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy

  • Organisation: One Step Counselling and Therapies C.I.C

  • Policy Owner: Managing Director

  • Date of Issue: 1st October 2025

  • Review Date: 1st October 2026

  • Version: 1.0

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