Diversity and equality
Organisational values
The Insolvency Service (The Service) has three organisational values that underpin everything we do. Our values and their associated behaviours need to be lived and demonstrated every day in the actions of Insolvency Service employees at all levels, both individually and collectively.
Our values are:
PEOPLE
We value and appreciate all our colleagues and customers, treating them with dignity and respect, and we act towards others in a way that is fair, considerate and appropriate to their needs and circumstances.
PRIDE
We take pride in our work, taking responsibility for our actions and behaving with integrity in everything we do.
PROFESSIONALISM
We operate to the highest professional, ethical and personal standards; seeking opportunities for improvement in everything we do and adapt to meet changing needs.
These values underpin The Service’s diversity and equality work. They signal the commitment of The Service to treating everyone with dignity and respect; that we are inclusive and confident; and that we are committed to improving our services for all.
Our staff diversity and equal opportunities policy:
The Service is committed to supporting, developing and promoting diversity and equality in all of its employment practices and activities. The aim of our Diversity and Equal Opportunities policy (DOC, 56 Kb) is to build a fully inclusive organisation.
Our customer charter:
Our customer-focused approach is recognised by the Customer Service Excellence (CSE formerly Charter Mark) accreditation, which we have held continuously since 1998. We aim to provide a professional, fair,efficient, courteous and helpful service to all our users, whether they are creditors, redundant employees, bankrupts, directors, insolvency practitioners or anyone else with whom we have dealings. We value and respect the diversity of our users, and are committed to ensuring that our services are accessible to all, irrespective of age, gender, sexuality, religion, race, cultural beliefs, or any disability. A copy of our Charter can be accessed here (DOC, 2.3 Mb)
Our business case for diversity and equality:
We have a business case for diversity and equality within The Insolvency Service, which aims to articulate the costs and benefits of The Service’s commitment to diversity and equality. This business case stands alongside The Service’s view that a commitment to diversity and equality is a moral imperative. Further, as a public sector body and an employer, The Service is subject to various statutory equality duties.
Business Case for Diversity & Equality in The Insolvency Service (2010) (DOC, 1.0 Mb)
Our diversity and equality strategy:
We currently have a diversity and equality strategy, and supporting delivery plan in place for 2012-2015. We review our progress and update our delivery plan each year.
This strategy and delivery plan builds upon our progress achieved under our previous strategy.
Staff equality analysis:
Each year, The Service analyses the diversity of its overall staff and related employment processes. The analysis is carried out to monitor the effectiveness of The Service’s equal opportunities and associated policies, and to meet with statutory reporting requirements. It should be noted that this monitoring exercise is not an end in itself, but is a useful tool in helping to identify barriers, and thus inform action to ensure progress towards full equality of opportunity for all in The Service.
We also participate in the Civil Service annual staff survey, and analyse the results by protected characteristics, to both inform and for use in future planning and/or policy reviews.
Additionally, we undertake ad hoc surveys of our staff to better understand barriers that staff may face.
Customer equality analysis:
Each year, The Service analyses available customer equality data. This data is used to assist The Service in assessing the equality impact of proposed customer-related changes.
Customer Equality Data Report as at 31 March 2012 (DOC, 946 Kb)
Customer Equality Data Report as at 31 March 2011 (DOC, 896 Kb)
Customer Equality Data Report as at 31 March 2010 (DOC, 346 Kb)
If you have any questions regarding The Service's diversity and equality work, please email diversity.matters@insolvency.gsi.gov.uk
