1. Changing Faces, Registered Charity 1011222, www.changingfaces.org.uk Face Equality at Work Introducing Changing Faces And Face Equality

2. Changing Faces, Registered Charity 1011222, www.changingfaces.org.uk This presentation  What is disfigurement?  What is Changing Faces?  The impact of disfigurement  Evidence of bias  Face Equality at Work  Some examples of best practice

3. Changing Faces, Registered Charity 1011222, www.changingfaces.org.uk What is a disfigurement? A ‘disfigurement’ is a generic term for the aesthetic effect or visual impact of a scar, burn, mark, asymmetric or unusually shaped feature or texture of the skin on the face, hands or body. 1.3 million – face, hands or body (one in 45) 540,000 people – significant facial disfigurement (one in 111)  Burns and Scarring360,000  Birthmarks142,000  Acne and Eczema125,000  Skin cancer 75,000  Stroke60,000  Cleft lip/palate45,000 Despite surgical advances, a disfigurement can rarely be removed. Its psychological and social impact can be very serious

4. Changing Faces, Registered Charity 1011222, www.changingfaces.org.uk What is Changing Faces  Changing Faces is the leading UK charity that supports and represents thousands of children, young people and adults with disfigurements  Changing Faces is about enabling everyone to face disfigurement with confidence, whether or not they have a disfiguring condition  Changing Faces was set up in 1992 by Dr James Partridge OBE, who is a burns survivor  Because of other people’s reactions, living successfully with a disfigurement isn’t easy it requires confidence, courage and skill – and a lot of support.

5. Changing Faces, Registered Charity 1011222, www.changingfaces.org.uk The impact of disfigurement  Individuals may experience different issues, at different stages in their lives; some factors include:  Physical  Complex treatment decisions  Pain and/or medication  Visible difference  Psychological  Low level of self confidence  Feeling of shame, grief, loss  Anxiety, depression  Social  Negative/inappropriate reactions from others  Difficult social interactions  Low expectations, school, work  Exclusion and fear  Based on case study evidence

6. Changing Faces, Registered Charity 1011222, www.changingfaces.org.uk More evidence…  A public attitude survey of 1,000 people conducted in 2008 showed that 9 out of 10 members of the general public find it hard to apply positive qualities to people with disfigurements, being seen as:  Less socially skilled  Less likely to succeed  These unintentional, but deeply rooted, biases hold huge implications for employers and service providers

7. Changing Faces, Registered Charity 1011222, www.changingfaces.org.uk Face Equality at Work Changing Faces launched the Face Equality at Work Campaign in July 2008 to support organisations in raising awareness of:  Personal bias  How bias can be reduced  How to promote equal opportunities  Barclays Bank hosted the launch event, with John Varley (CEO) making a personal commitment to raise awareness, consider disfigurement within policies and practices and embed Face Equality  Interest and commitment has since grown, including organisations such as Shell, Tesco, BT, Marks and Spencer, KPMG (to name a few)

8. Changing Faces, Registered Charity 1011222, www.changingfaces.org.uk ACE! Members commit to working across three broad areas  Awareness (of employees raised)  Commitment (to promote equality in policy/practice)  Embedding (of positive attitudes and behaviour)

9. Changing Faces, Registered Charity 1011222, www.changingfaces.org.uk Examples of best practice by members Awareness:  Displaying posters in lifts, toilet cubicles, well used areas  Held awareness raising celebrations as part of the joining event  Placed stands in public places distributing information  Linked their own websites or intranets to Changing Faces’ website and added information to their own websites/intranets  Encouraged staff to take the Implicit Attitudes Test on Changing Faces’ website  Wrote articles (sometimes in conjunction with Changing Faces) to appear in their own magazines or journals  Dedicated areas for resources and information  Changing Faces’ staff gave briefings to particular groups or departments

10. Changing Faces, Registered Charity 1011222, www.changingfaces.org.uk Examples of best practice by members Commitment:  Review and update of equality and diversity policies to include disfigurement  Included disfigurement in their Single Equality Scheme  Ensured HR staff are aware of the value of recruiting and retaining people with disfigurements  Developed procedures to support line managers in retaining and developing people with disfigurements  Added Face Equality to customer care guidelines and charters

11. Changing Faces, Registered Charity 1011222, www.changingfaces.org.uk Examples of best practice by members Embedding:  Added positive pictures of people with disfigurements to their image banks  Provided top tips for facing disfigurement with confidence in the form of a bookmark  HR staff were trained in effective methods of recruiting, selecting and interviewing people with disfigurements  Changing Faces delivered generic disfigurement awareness training sessions  Took advantage of their annual two free places at Changing Faces’ Face Equality at Work workshops  Included disfigurement in their induction training

12. Changing Faces, Registered Charity 1011222, www.changingfaces.org.uk Your membership By joining the Face Equality at Work membership scheme this organisation has demonstrated its commitment to helping to promote equality for people who have disfigurements  As members you benefit from the support of Changing Faces in:  Support in drawing up an action plan to embed Face Equality  20 percent discount on consultancy services  E-mail support from a consultant  Further consultation after 6 months  Access to training and resources Information packs:  A joining pack giving practical advice and information on recruitment, retention and customer service and top tips  Unlimited access to the Face Equality networking forum!

13. Changing Faces, Registered Charity 1011222, www.changingfaces.org.uk Face Equality at Work The actions shown are not exhaustive – use your imagination to spread awareness and encourage others to develop positive feelings and behaviours towards people with disfigurements. Remember to see the person and don’t concentrate on their disfigurement – they are the same as the rest of us. Any questions????

14. Changing Faces, Registered Charity 1011222, www.changingfaces.org.uk How to contact Changing Faces Changing Faces The Squire Centre 33-37 University Street London WC1E 6JN Tel: 0845 4500 275 Fax: 0845 4500 276 Email: info@changingfaces.org.uk Website: www.changingfaces.org.uk We rely entirely on voluntary donations and gifts…