1. Policy Intent

People Speak Up (PSU) is committed to being a welcoming, inclusive and accessible organisation. We recognise the vital role assistance dogs play in supporting disabled people and those with long-term health conditions. Service users, staff, volunteers and visitors who rely on assistance dogs must not suffer any form of discrimination. This policy ensures compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and reflects PSU’s values of inclusivity, compassion and respect.

2. The Law

• Under the Equality Act 2010 (and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland), disabled people have the right to access services with their assistance dog.
• The legal rights belong to the disabled person, not the dog. Assistance dogs are recognised as an auxiliary aid (for example, like a wheelchair or white cane) rather than as a pet dog.
• It is unlawful to refuse services, or offer lesser services, because a person is accompanied by an assistance dog.
• As an employer we will make reasonable adjustments to enable a disabled employee with an assistance dog to attend the workplace and carry out their job (for example, making space for the dog and its bed and accommodating short comfort breaks for the dog).

3. Access Rights

• Assistance dog users have the right to access all public areas of PSU’s premises, including activity spaces, bathrooms and refreshment areas.
• Employees with assistance dogs have the right to access all areas of PSU’s premises.
• Allergies, cultural objections, or fears of dogs are not valid reasons to refuse access. Staff will make reasonable adjustments if required.

4. Definition of Terms

Assistance dogs

Highly trained to support a disabled person by carrying out tasks, providing alerts, or enabling independence.

Training providers

Dogs may be trained by Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) members, other recognised providers, or by their owner.

5. Emotional Support Dogs

• An emotional support dog offers comfort and companionship by being present and requires no specialist training.
• Emotional support dogs are not referenced in law. PSU is not legally obliged to allow access to someone with an emotional support dog in the same way as a disabled person with a highly trained assistance dog.
• PSU welcomes well-behaved emotional support dogs that adhere to the same Expectations in this policy as assistance dogs.

6. Types of Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs may support people with:

• Visual impairments (Guide Dogs)
• Hearing impairments (Hearing Dogs)
• Physical disabilities (mobility assistance)
• Autism
• Epilepsy, diabetes or other medical conditions (medical alert dogs)
• Mental health conditions (psychiatric assistance dogs)

7. Identification of Assistance Dogs

• Although many assistance dogs are recognisable by a jacket, harness, lead slip or bandana, there is no legal requirement for them to wear an item.
• Some may wear branded equipment from training organisations and/or carry specific ID, but others may not; there is no legal requirement to do so.
• PSU staff will take a position of trust, guided by the expected behaviour of a trained assistance dog.

8. Expectations

• Assistance dogs must be under control, usually on a lead or harness.
• Users should clean up after their dog where possible.
• Dogs should not present aggressive, disruptive, or unhygienic behaviour. PSU reserves the right to ask the handler to remove a dog if it is not under control.

9. Assistance Dogs in Training

PSU welcomes assistance dogs in training where safe and appropriate, recognising the importance of exposure to different environments. Trainers should ensure dogs in training are under control at all times.

10. Toileting Requirements

PSU will provide safe access to outdoor areas (including our Community Garden) for assistance dogs to toilet, and will signpost users to the nearest suitable facilities.

11. Expectations for Staff and Volunteers

• All staff and volunteers must be familiar with this policy.
• Assistance dog users should be treated respectfully, without intrusive questions about their disability.
• Staff should provide reasonable adjustments where required.
• If there are concerns about a dog’s training or behaviour, these must be raised sensitively and respectfully.

12. Training and Awareness

• PSU will provide staff and volunteer training on this policy.
• Posters from Assistance Dogs UK identifying assistance dogs will be displayed in our hubs to raise awareness.

For further information about welcoming visitors with assistance dogs see www.assistancedogs.org.uk.

13. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by PSU’s Board of Trustees and updated as required.

This policy has been created using the information and policy creation guidelines provided by Assistance Dogs UK www.assistancedogs.org.uk.