Council pays £15,000 to settle a discrimination case with Traveller parents denied assistance with birth registration.
The Equality Commission assisted with the case. They are now working with the council to improve. The council will review policies and staff training. The parents needed help completing the form.
They had limited formal education. Reading and writing were difficult for them. Noel also has dyslexia. A deputy registrar allegedly refused assistance. The parents felt the employee’s attitude changed after hearing their accents.
They felt rushed and left the office. Staff at reception wanted to help them. A deputy registrar told them not to. The parents left very upset. Noel had left his phone behind.
They returned to retrieve it. A manager asked about the incident. The parents said they were treated badly for being Travellers. The manager completed a complaint form. The council contacted them the next day and offered a new appointment at a different council office.
An advocate accompanied Caroline and Noel. Their daughter’s birth was registered easily this time. The council upheld their complaint. They acknowledged the service failure and the staff member’s poor treatment. However, they didn’t admit unlawful discrimination. Caroline felt awful about their treatment.
She felt like a second-class citizen. Mary Kitson works for the Equality Commission. She said registering a birth is crucial and parents should receive necessary help. Employers must prevent racial discrimination.
Kitson says prejudice must face challenges. All discrimination requires thorough investigations, and action must prevent recurrences. The council affirms its commitment to equality and also regrets the distress caused to them. The case settled without admitting liability.