Equality, diversity and inclusion committee (EDIC) and networks
The trust’s equality, diversity and inclusion committee is responsible for the development and delivery of the trust’s equality, diversity & inclusion agenda. The committee is accountable to the trust board, via the executive team.
The role of the EDIC is to promote inclusion, equality and the
understanding of diversity. This applies to both in terms of
the trust as an employer and as a service provider.
The EDIC monitors key areas of the trust's performance (such as
staff recruitment, retention and progression and staff survey
results) in relation to equality indicators, drawing relevant
issues to the attention of the executive team.
The EDIC ensures that the trust acts in accordance with its
statutory duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance
equality of opportunity and foster good relations between persons
who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share
it.
The trust has established a number of diversity networks.
The functions and purposes of employee networks are:
- To help the trust better understand its staff and by doing so
to increase staff engagement and help the organisation to perform
better.
- To support the trust to deliver its strategies, goals and
objectives
- To support policy development and review
- To inform and improve the delivery of services for staff and
patients
- To provide feedback to trust management about perceived
workplace barriers and obstacles impacting on employees.
- To build links and relationships with different groups within
communities
- To provide a network/support system and positive forum for
leadership development, information sharing, networking, peer
support and education for participants
- To celebrate and increase awareness of diversity to enable
staff and patients to explore particular issues in relation to
their employment or care at the trust. The current networks
include:
-
- Disability network
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans network
- Black and minority ethnic network
- Gender equality network
- Dignity and respect action group
- Learning disabilities network
- Audiology users group
The trust has created a policy on network groups which is
designed to encourage and support the formation of new groups to
represent the interests of staff and patients.
The networks report to the diversity committee and make a
valuable contribution in the trust's work on equality and
diversity. Please see below for the various groups' terms of
reference.