SYFR EQUALITY ANALYSIS TEMPLATE

PART A
Directorate / Emergency Response / Department / Thorne Fire Station
Title of policy / project / change etc being analysed / Thorne Boxing Club / Lead Manager / Officer / SM Shayne Tottie
Is this policy / project / change etc / New Project / Date of assessment / 12/08/13
PART B
  1. Give a brief summary of the policy / project / change etc.
The project is to use Thorne Fire Station as a base for the local Thorne and Moorends boxing club. The club is still in its infancy and engages young persons from 7 to 13 years of age in its junior section and from 13 upwards in the senior section. The club has a regular attendance of young people each week and running the club from Thorne Fire Station will increase our positive interaction with them. The club is supported by the amateur boxing federation and is open to increasing its members and the number of days they can train.
Whilst scoping the project I was made aware of the high number of attendances from the travelling community, which historically has always been a group we have found difficult to access.
The introduction of Boxing will support the local community through fitness discipline and positive engagement.
2. Who are main stakeholders in relation to the policy / project / change etc? E.g. who is intended to benefit?
SYFR – provision of premises and safe storage of equipment/ volunteers and inductions development of fire service personnel coaching boxing/ promotion of the club through media team. Thorne and Moorends boxing club - provision of volunteer coaches/ provision of training programme/ maintenance of specific equipment.
Doncaster Council- support club and to sign post others in positive engagement.
Potential for SYP to assist and provide support .
3. Data collection and consultation
What data have you used to develop the policy, procedure etc? What groups have you consulted with? Examples: Equalities profile of employees/community, data sources, research and consultation carried out, internal/external communications.
Consultation has been carried out through a community consultation carried out by Doncaster Council December 2012. Further discussion and consultation with Operational Crews at Thorne Fire station.
Discussion and advice through Northumberland Fire and Rescue that have a similar project running.
DCLG Moving On where transient groups and individuals find it hard to access key services.
ASB incidents in the area also targeted around the travelling communities and the involvement of other agencies
4. What are the impacts for employees/community members? E.g. one or more groups are disadvantaged (Adverse Impact) or there is an opportunity to foster good relations or promote equality of opportunity between protected groups (Positive Impact) / No Impact / Adverse
Impact / Positive Impact
Race or Ethnicity:
SYFR takes into account any considerations that are identified by parents/guardians or the referral agency. Direct liaison with the East Area VPA for advice and also the Equality & Inclusion Adviser may provide help and assistance if required. The club allows all to attend subject to numbers and has already a diverse membership.
Action to mitigate/remove adverse impact:Monitor over the trial period
Sex:
The club and its resources allow for both sexes to participate through the purchase of specific youth engagement equipment supplied by the club. Temporary arrangements would need to be considered for a dedicated toilet on station. Whilst further developments are proposed and carried out on station ie separate DDA compliant toilet.
Action to mitigate/remove adverse impact: Provide a single use dedicated toilet for the club to use whilst on site / Develop the DDA compliant toilet on station
Pregnancy & Maternity:
Due to nature of activities carried out on the course, potential young female participants who are either pregnant or are believed to be pregnant cannot attend the sessions. Liaisons with partner agency to ensure participants are identified as suitable to participate prior to commencement of course.
Action to mitigate/remove adverse impact: Due to health and safety this will potentially remain adverse.
Disability:
Due to the nature of the club and the physical activities, it can limit the attendance of those with disabilities. An individual assessment would need to be carried out and discussed with the trained ABA boxing coach and the parent guardian. Also at this moment in time Thorne station is not DDA compliant and remedial works have been discussed and works are ongoing to improve this i.e a DDA compliant toilet and access ramp to the rear.Currently the club does have mambers with disablilities who attend and particpiate under the guidance of their guardian .
Action to mitigate/remove adverse impact: Provision of DDA compliant toilet and access ramp
Sexual Orientation:
Although SYFR do not ask this question directly, if at any stage the team are approached for advice or support, instructors can get support/guidance through the local Equality & Inclusion Adviser and young person’s could be signposted through the partners staff/instructors.
Action to mitigate/remove adverse impact: Monitor during the trial period, where possible provision of literature for young people to access
Religion or belief:
As this is a boxing club it may for safety reasons require the provision of head guards which may have an impact on certain religions, this would have to be assessed and the level of participation/ activity could be amended. Our support for this club is the provision of a space to train and where possible Firefighters to assist.
Action to mitigate/remove adverse impact: Monitor and for club coaches to amend session to suit
Age:
The course is only aimed at those aged between 7 years and upwards and those primarily living in the Thorne and Moorends area. The group is split juniors from 7 to 11 and seniors from 11 upwards. The group is also split as per ABA guidance and rules
Action to mitigate/remove adverse impact: For health and safety reasons anyone younger cannot attend
Gender Reassignment:
The club and its resources allow for all genders to participate. SYFR nor the club ask questions about this directly but if at any stage the team are approached for advice or support instructors can get support/guidance through the local Equality & Inclusion Advisor and young person’s could be signposted through the partners staff/instructors
Action to mitigate/remove adverse impact: Provision of support through our staff groups, consideration for literature to be available
5. Cohesion – Community / Workforce
Other socially excluded communities or groups
The club was developed after consultation carried out by Doncaster Council and was designed to target and work with the young people of Thorne and Moorends. These can be from any background, belief, orientation or lifestyle. The course is designed to reduce the ASB incidents within the area, to improve fitness and confidence of the young people who attended and to also provide a positive role model through hard work and dedication.
Action to mitigate/remove adverse impact: Provision of a trial at Thorne Station giving the club a permenant base to work from and to give the club sustainability
Relationships between or within communities
The course will help to foster better relationships within communities through the reduction of anti social behaviour and the development of positive attitudes in the young people attending. By linking the club to Thorne Fire Station we look to improve ASB incidents within the area, provide a soft approach to community safety intervention work and to also access the hard to reach Gypsy and Travellers communities.
Action to mitigate/remove adverse impact: Monitor during the trial
6. Summary: Please provide an overall summary of findings and actions.
The EA has identified that it may not be accessible to all groups for health and Safety reasons, due to the physical nature of boxing, as the club is affiliated with the ABA amateur boxing association further help may assist in the provision of a specific and tailored session where required. Further advice could be provided through our Occupational Health teams and Community Safety Advocates or Equality & Inclusion Advisors.
Also pregnancy has been identified as adverse due to the physical nature of boxing, attendance and participation would need to be assessed and certian training elements could be still carried out but under the strict advice of their doctor and through advice of the ABA.
Another area of adverse impact is that the initiative is only aimed at those 7 years and older and is not available to the younger age groups for Health and Safety reasons
Currently the Station is not DDA compliant but proposed works have started and when further funding is available then this can be rectified and access as well as toilet facilities will be available. the clubs current members can easily access the areas provided for training including a designated toilet.
Additional information: This model of boxing clubs teaming up with local fire stations is not unique and there are a couple of other brigades who are successfully engaging with young people through boxing.
7. Action Plan: Please list each of the above as actions and identify a lead and timescale
Actions:
Development of Thorne station and to look at ways of making it DDA compliant.
Discuss highlighted areas with the representative from the amateur boxing association.
Provision of a trial at Thorne Fire Station to see if this initiative can be supported by SYFR
Look at other brigades and their EA and feedback and action best practice / Lead:
SM Tottie / Timescales:
3 to 6 months funding dependant
PART C
Completing Manager: Shayne Tottie / Date:12/08/13

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