Equality, diversity and inclusion

Ensuring equality diversity and inclusion (EDI) are crucial to the delivery of our services. With a diverse community of staff and populations we serve, it is important we are open and inclusive.

Public bodies subject to the specific duties must publish information to show their compliance with the Equality Duty. As a Trust we must show consideration for how we:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Act
• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
• Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it

We do this through the publication of an Equality and Diversity Strategy and annual reporting of outcomes towards that strategy. To find out more about this or any other of our equality objectives please email [email protected]

To ensure that we are working towards these goals, we regularly engage in benchmarking our work against the NHS Equality Delivery System and the Workforce Race and Disability Equality Standards. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and take part annually in their Workplace Equality Index. We have also been recognised as a Disability Confident and Mindful Employer.

Staff Networks

We recognise that the people who work for us are our greatest asset, and when they feel supported and happy in work this positivity reaches those very people we are here for – our service users. We are committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive organisation and ensuring that we harness the talents of all our staff fully.

One of the ways we support this is through the development of specific staff networks that contribute to addressing and solving problems for all under-represented and disadvantaged groups and individuals within our organisation.

Our networks are:

• Cultural Diversity Staff Network
• Disabled Staff Network
• LGBT+ Staff Network

We also have a number of staff support groups which are open for staff to attend:

• Mind, Health and Wellbeing Community
• Armed Forces and Veterans Staff Association

Each of the networks are engaged with staff across all levels of the Trust, so have a real voice in the organisation, and they continue to grow. They are open to all staff who are members of the diverse groups or who would like to join as allies. They provide access to leadership and development opportunities to create an environment where staff feel safe to speak up.

Our groups work in conjunction with the Trust to promote equality, diversity and inclusion through events such as those organised for LGBT, Black and Disability History Month, the Mind Health and Wellbeing Community organises regular Mindfulness and Meditation sessions and contributes to the Trust’s marking of World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Awareness Week. Members of the networks and groups are also involved in the Trust’s Inclusive Mentoring programme, where our Trust Board are mentored by our Staff Network members. A number of members of the Cultural Diversity Network have been trained by the Royal College of Nursing to become Cultural Ambassadors.

Pledge to support people with visible differences

We’re supporting the Pledge to be seen campaign which is calling on organisations to represent more people with visible differences like scarring, birthmarks and skin conditions.

Research by Changing Faces found that more than half of people said those with visible differences were regularly ignored by brands.

Their research also suggests hostility towards people with a visible difference is increasing. In 2019, only 34% said they have experienced hostile behaviour, such as staring and bullying, because of their visible difference. This figure increased to 49% in 2023.

In 2023, 49% of people with a visible difference said they have experienced hostile behaviour, such as staring and bullying, because of their visible difference .

The Pledge To Be Seen campaign aims to change this.

By signing the pledge, CNTW is committing to representing more people with a visible difference in the Trust’s communications materials.

The Trust has already started improving representation by ensuring images of staff with visible differences are used in CNTW’s social media job adverts.

For more information regarding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please contact [email protected]