PSO 2800 - Inside Time

PSO 2800 Annexes – Page 8The Race Equality OfficerGovernors must appoint a Race Equality Officer (REO) to take the lead role in the programme ofwork on race equality.3.16. The Race Equality Officer‟s main role is to support the Governor and the Race EqualityAction Team in taking forward the programme of work to achieve compliance with this orderand the RR(A)A 2000. In addition the Race Equality Officer provides a central point ofcontact for staff and prisoners seeking information on legislation, policy and practicerelating to race equality.3.17 Whilst the Race Equality Officer takes the lead on the programme of work, it is not theresponsibility of the Race Equality Officer to undertake all the work. This should beallocated to relevant managers and staff. For example, impact assessments shouldgenerally be conducted by a group of staff managed by the relevant functional head,advised by the Race Equality Officer. The Race Equality Officer must not be given leadresponsibility for them or be required to conduct them alone.3.18 A model job description and core competencies for the role of Race Equality Officer isattached at annex 2. In most establishments it is likely to be a full time role. Where this isnot considered to be necessary the Governor must agree alternative arrangements with theArea Manager. REAG will retain a record of such decisions.3.19 The Race Equality Officer must be appointed by the Governor in accordance with the equalopportunities (PSO8010) and filling vacancies (PSO8110) policies. In order to ensure theappointment of an individual with the specialist skills required for the post, considerationshould be given to recruitment from outside of the Prison Service. If it is decided to useexternal recruitment, establishments must comply with the relevant policy (PSO8100 – theRecruitment website). It may be appropriate to involve an external person, such as thevoluntary and community sector representative on the REAT in the selection process.Alternatively, a manager from elsewhere in the Prison Service, such as a member of stafffrom REAG, the Area Diversity Manager / Advisor, or an experienced Race Equality Officerfrom another establishment, could be involved in the selection process.3.20. In establishments that have appointed Diversity Managers, it should be clear whether or notthis individual is also the Race Equality Officer. Where the two roles are combined,Governors must ensure that there is sufficient support in place for the post holder for all ofthe duties of both roles to be completed. Where the two roles are distinct, the respectiveduties of each post should be made clear.Appropriate support must be provided for the Race Equality Officer.3.21. Where elements of the race equality work require specific skills, such as the statisticalanalysis of monitoring data, or are more suitably undertaken by administrative staff ratherthan a manager, appropriate support for the Race Equality Officer should be put in place.For example this may involve some tasks being taken on by the audit, secretariat orpsychology department. Where this is the case, these duties should be reflected in thebusiness plans of the relevant departments and the Staff Performance and DevelopmentRecords (SPDRs) of the individuals concerned.3.22. It is good practice, particularly in larger establishments, to appoint Assistant Race EqualityOfficers on each wing or house block to act as a link between prisoners and the RaceEquality Officer. Assistant Race Equality Officers should be appointed by the leader of theREAT. Their duties should be agreed between the leader of the REAT and their linemanagers and included in their SPDRs. Appropriate time should be made available forthem to complete these duties.Issue No. 264 issue date 25/09/06