08 October 2012
The Commission will today intervene in the Judicial Review of R (South West Care Homes and others) v Devon County Council where we will outline the responsibilities of public authorities to show due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination and to advance equality of opportunity.
The Review has been called for in response to a number of care homes who have raised concerns of a lack of funding for older and disabled people allocated to them by Devon County Council.
John Wadham, Group Director Legal at the Commission, said:
'We hope that this case will highlight the importance of local authorities considering all service user needs under the Equality Act 2010. If local authorities identify any potential adverse effects on 'protected groups' such as older and disabled care home residents, they need to be able to show these have been considered before putting plans into action.'
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The Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006, which took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission. It is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain. It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights. The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status, and encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act. It also gives advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.
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