Our approach, values and DDP

ACE acknowledges the significant impact of adoption on children, young people, adoptive parents, birth parents and adopted adults. We want ACE to be a place where everyone who has contact with the service feels valued, included, safe and supported. We will do this by taking time to listen and understand each person’s experiences, recognising the strengths in their differences, so that we can respond sensitively to their unique siltation.

You can find our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement below. 

Our Anti-Racism Statement is found on the next page. 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Equality, diversity and inclusion concerns every member of our staff group and the communities within which they belong and serve.

At Adoption Central England it is expected that everyone contributes to ensuring that ACE is a safe, welcoming and productive environment, where there is equality of opportunity, fostered in an environment of dignity and mutual respect. We want ACE to be a place where everyone feels valued, included, safe and supported. ACE is a DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) certified organisation and the characteristics of playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy form the foundation of all relationships and connections both within ACE and outwardly.   

Equality means ensuring individuals or groups of individuals are treated fairly and equally. The Equality Act provides protection from discrimination on the nine protected characteristics, namely age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and/or sexual orientation. ACE has a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment and victimisation and seeks to advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not e.g. removing barriers to participation and promoting engagement and understanding between people from different groups and communities. This includes striving to understand the lived experience of applicants and staff with disabilities.  

Diversity represents our aim to recognise, respect and value people’s differences and contributions and support them to realise their full potential by promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive. ACE acknowledges that we are part of a sector and a country where racism is prolific and embedded within society; our Anti-Racism Statement addresses this issue specifically. ACE is a professional member of New Family Social an LGBTQ+ network, and staff have access to staff network groups including Global Ethnic Minority, LGBT+, women’s and cultural networks. We recognise that the different life experiences of individuals may have resulted in them experiencing inequalities. Through our relationships we will value and respect each other’s lived experiences to understand differences and their impact. We will explore opportunities to be open with each other so that individuals can feel heard, respected, valued, and safe.

For ACE, inclusion is about engaging and embracing the uniqueness, beliefs, backgrounds and capabilities of all individuals in achieving the common goal of creating a feeling of belonging. We recognise that having conversations about diversity and inclusion are essential to us being able to reflect and develop our working practices and adapt our approach to be innovative and progressive, helping us to better connect with and serve our communities. We will stay curious, show interest and celebrate difference in each other, striving to build, improve and repair where necessary relationships in order to remain connected with each other and those who we work with and for.

ACE aims to provide an inclusive and accessible service for children and young people and their families that feels safe and promotes all aspects of their identity and culture. To achieve this, we will ensure that staff are trained to deliver services that are culturally sensitive and challenge prejudice. We accept that there will be challenges and learning on this journey and remain committed to listening to and learning from the children and families who use our services in order to be the best that we can be.