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 equality@cntw.nhs.uk

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.

We currently have five staff networks:

• Cultural Diversity Network
• Disabled Staff Network
• Mind, Health and Wellbeing Staff Network
• LGBT+ Staff Network
• Armed Forces and Veterans Staff Network

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. The networks are open to all staff who are members of the diverse groups or who would like to join as allies. The networks provide access to leadership and development opportunities to create an environment where staff feel safe to speak up.

The networks 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 Network 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 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.

For more information regarding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please contact equality@cntw.nhs.uk