Our Policies

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION (EDI) POLICY

1. Purpose

Lord Crewe’s Charity is committed to promoting equality, embracing diversity, and ensuring inclusion across all aspects of its work. This policy sets out how the Charity will uphold its responsibilities to beneficiaries, tenants, staff, trustees, volunteers, partners, and the wider community.

The Charity recognises that fostering an inclusive culture strengthens its mission, improves decision-making, and ensures fair access to its grants and services.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • Trustees
  • Employees
  • Volunteers
  • Delivery Partners and Property Managers
  • All tenants, applicants and beneficiaries of the Charity’s grants and programmes

3. Our Commitment to EDI

Lord Crewe’s Charity commits to:

  • Equality — ensuring fair treatment, opportunities, and access for all.
  • Diversity — valuing and respecting differences in background, identity, and experience.
  • Inclusion — creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and able to participate fully.

The Charity will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or victimisation in any form.

4. Legal Framework

The Charity operates in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, which protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of:

  • Age
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Marriage and civil partnership
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Race
  • Religion or belief
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation

5. Responsibilities

5.1 Trustees

Trustees are responsible for ensuring that:

  • EDI principles are embedded in governance and strategic decisions.
  • The Charity complies with all relevant legislation.
  • Progress on EDI is monitored and reviewed.

5.2 Representatives of the Charity 2

All representatives of the Charity must:

  • Treat colleagues, beneficiaries, and partners with dignity and respect.
  • Challenge discriminatory behaviour when safe to do so.
  • Participate in EDI training and development when made available.

5.3 Delivery Partners including Property Managers

Delivery Partners must:

  • Ensure recruitment, selection, and promotion processes are fair and transparent.
  • Make reasonable adjustments for disabled staff, volunteers, tenants and beneficiaries.
  • Ensure processes are accessible and inclusive.

6. Grant-Making

Lord Crewe’s Charity will:

  • Ensure grant criteria and application processes are accessible and free from bias.
  • Provide reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities.
  • Use inclusive language and accessible formats in all communications.

7. Property Management

  • Ensure all applicants and tenants are treated equitably throughout the tenancy lifecycle
  • Manage physical environments that support safety, dignity and independence for all tenants
  • Embed EDI awareness across all staff, contractors and partners

8. Recruitment and Employment

The Charity will:

  • Advertise roles widely to reach diverse audiences.
  • Use inclusive job descriptions and person specifications.
  • Ensure shortlisting and interviews are conducted fairly and consistently.
  • Offer flexible working arrangements where possible.
  • Provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

9. Training and Development

The Charity will provide:

  • EDI training for trustees, staff, and volunteers.
  • Opportunities for staff and volunteers to raise concerns or suggest improvements.

10. Reporting and Addressing Concerns

The Charity encourages anyone who experiences or witnesses discrimination, harassment, or exclusion to report it promptly in accordance with the Charity’s Complaints Procedure.

Reports will be:

  • Taken seriously
  • Investigated fairly and confidentially
  • Addressed with appropriate action

11. Monitoring and Review 3

The Charity will:

  • Collect and analyse anonymised EDI data where appropriate
  • Review this policy every three years (or sooner if legislation changes)
  • Publish key findings and actions to improve transparency

12. Policy Approval

This policy was approved by the Board of Lord Crewe’s Charity on: 31 July 2026

Next review due: 2029