Working with communities
Diverse Communities
Equality and Diversity
As a councillor, you represent many diverse people. You will want to treat everyone with respect, so an understanding of equalities and diversity is essential. The Code of Conduct requires you to promote equality and to treat others with respect and consideration.
Equality is about ensuring that all people are treated equally. This does not mean treating everyone the same, but recognising the differences in their situations, cultures and experience and ensuring that there is equality of opportunity for all.
Representing your community
For you to represent the diverse people in your ward, you need to understand their position and know what they need. Do you understand for example the needs of different genders, of people from different socio-economic backgrounds? What about young people, older people, transgender people, gay men, lesbians, Disabled people, people from different faith or religious organisations, Black, Asian, or people from other different minority ethnic groups. Despite often being categorised according to these characteristics, all people of the same characteristic will not necessarily need the same things. The best way to find out what people need is to ask them!
Useful links
Neurodivergence Wales
As many of your constituents will be neurodivergent or have neurodivergent relatives, it’s good practice to have an understanding of neurodivergence (ND) and the associated codes of practice.
Local Authorities across Wales follow the Social Model of Disability – this means that better awareness and understanding of differences helps remove barriers for neurodivergent people. You can find more information about the Social Model of Disability here and definitions of Neurodiversity here.
Neurodivergence Wales
NeurodivergenceWales.org: On this site you will find information about neurodivergent conditions, including autism, ADHD & Tourettes. There is also information about what services and training opportunities are available online, and a wide range of free, downloadable, bilingual resources that have been developed with neurodivergent people, parents/ carers and professionals from across Wales.
E-learning modules
There is a range of e-learning modules on the website, including Understanding Autism; Effective Communication & Autism; Assessment & Autism; Understanding ADHD; and Understanding Tourette Syndrome.
Our Understanding and Accepting Scheme encourages organisations across Wales to increase their understanding and acceptance of neurodivergence.
Code of Practice
A Code of Practice on the Delivery of Autism Services (the Code) has been developed and implemented in response to feedback from autistic people and their families and/or carers, seeking clarity on the services they should expect to be available in Wales.
The ND Code of Practice is currently in development.