Reference:
Request detail:
I am making the following request under the Freedom of Information Act;
1. Within your organisation, what policies exist to support staff members who identify as transgender and are transitioning?
2. With respect to the question above, could you please provide a copy of the policies to support staff who identify as transgender?
3. Do you have any information publications or presentations available to staff regarding LGBTQ+ and Transgender, if so please could you provide details and copies of the information.
4. How many persons who identify as transgender are employed or volunteer with your organisation, and at what grade or position are they employed?
5. What advice and information do you supply to managers and staff regarding Transgender? Do you provide any specialist training in dealing with colleagues or clients who identify as transgender?
If so, please provide copies of the relevant policies and material.
6. Does your organisation have any connections with Stonewall or similar organisations to support employees from the LGBTQ+ and Transgender community, and if so, please could you provide further details and copies of any documents or policies?
7. Do you have any specific policies to support staff members transitioning/transgender in where they are deployed or employed in the organisation and in dealing with members of the public, if so please could you provide further information?
8. Do you have a specific lead or individual(s) who deal with LGBTQ+ issues or liaison within the organisation? If so, please could you provide details?
9. Do you have specific policies regarding keeping female, LGBTQ+ and transgender staff safe? If so, could you please provide details and copies of any relevant policies?
Response detail:
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request. Please refer below for the information requested.
1. Within your organisation, what policies exist to support staff members who identify as transgender and are transitioning? NFCC guidance document
2. With respect to the question above, could you please provide a copy of the policies to support staff who identify as transgender?NFCC guidance document https://nfcc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Draft-NFCC-Equality-of-Ac...
3. Do you have any information publications or presentations available to staff regarding LGBTQ+ and Transgender, if so please could you provide details and copies of the information.Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) have a general slide that is incorporated into our EDI induction training. Copy slide attached.
4. How many persons who identify as transgender are employed or volunteer with your organisation, and at what grade or position are they employed? Not recorded
5. What advice and information do you supply to managers and staff regarding Transgender? Do you provide any specialist training in dealing with colleagues or clients who identify as transgender? If so, please provide copies of the relevant policies and material.
During the EDI induction SFRS discuss gender reassignment (slide attached Question 3). EDI and HR will provide specific advice/support if requested by an employee or manager. Employees may be sent on specific training as identified.
6. Does your organisation have any connections with Stonewall or similar organisations to support employees from the LGBTQ+ and Transgender community, and if so, please could you provide further details and copies of any documents or policies?
Fire Service FirePride network, SAND safe and ageing no discrimination and Rainbow film festival
7. Do you have any specific policies to support staff members transitioning/transgender in where they are deployed or employed in the organisation and in dealing with members of the public, if so please could you provide further information?
NFCC provide LGBT+ guidance (see question 2)
8. Do you have a specific lead or individual(s) who deal with LGBTQ+ issues or liaison within the organisation? If so, please could you provide details? EDI Officer, HR Managers, Voices LGBT+ reps to be the voice of employees.
9. Do you have specific policies regarding keeping female, LGBTQ+ and transgender staff safe? If so, could you please provide details and copies of any relevant policies? General policies for all employees. See attached Grievance Procedure and Disciplinary Policy and Procedures Policies.
If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been handled, you can complain or request an internal review of the decision. This must be done within 40 working days of receiving this response. You can do this by writing to the Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, St. Michael’s Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 2HJ or email: enquiries@shropshirefire.gov.uk.
If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request or complaint, you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Website: www.ico.org.uk
