Our single shared view of quality expects services to be equitable to all and focus on improving quality. It will make sure that the quality of care does not vary because of the characteristics of people using services, their families, and carers. Wherever people use care, it will be high quality.

In addition to our legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 and eliminating discrimination against the 7 protected groups (age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion or belief, and sex & sexual orientation), we have a zero-tolerance approach to racism and any form of prejudicial behaviour whether the abuse is in person, in writing, virtual or over the phone. The zero-tolerance approach is set out in our memorandum of understanding (MOU).

We are also in the process of socialising an LGBTQ+ learning framework that provides tools to develop our knowledge, skills and values in working affirmatively with LGBTQ+ people later in life, and how we could apply it to working with a range of people from seldom heard groups who draw on our services.

Also, the ASC Equalities Plan is in development and sets out to help us achieve our aims to explore our role in challenging inequality and keeping inclusivity at the heart of service development and strengthening engagement with communities.

The Quality Assurance Framework (see above in the green bar) is designed to ensure quality is considered through the lens of equalities and intersectionality.