What are protected characteristics?
Protected characteristics are specific attributes defined under the Equality Act 2010 that safeguard individuals from discrimination. In housing, these characteristics ensure fair treatment for tenants and applicants, promoting equality and preventing bias in service delivery.
Benefits of recognising protected characteristics
- Legal compliance: Ensures adherence to the Equality Act and anti-discrimination laws.
- Inclusive services: Promotes fairness and equal access to housing services.
- Improved trust: Builds confidence among tenants and stakeholders through equitable practices.
Use cases
- Policy development: Creating housing policies that respect protected characteristics.
- Complaint handling: Addressing discrimination claims effectively and lawfully.
- Staff training: Educating teams on equality and diversity obligations.
Key components
- Equality monitoring: Collect and analyse data to ensure compliance with equality standards.
- Accessible systems: Design processes that accommodate diverse needs.
- Audit trails: Maintain records for transparency and accountability.
- Integrated workflows: Link equality considerations with tenancy and service management.
The BRIK Housing platform supports equality and compliance by centralising data, automating workflows and providing reporting tools to monitor diversity and inclusion. Built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform, it helps housing providers uphold legal obligations and deliver fair, transparent services to all tenants.
