Draft Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We at Team Doncaster believe people and the organisation works best when equalities, diversity and inclusion is valued and promoted within the culture and leadership. We value the strength that comes with difference and the positive contribution that diversity brings to our community.

We commit to:

1. UNDERSTAND

   • Appreciate the diverse needs of people to make our information, services and products more accessible and inclusive

   • Identify specific barriers that may exist and take action to minimise them where possible

2. LISTEN

   • Identify unrepresented group and encourage participation

   • Make evidenced based decisions and champion diversity

   • Ensure consultations are fully accessible and appropriate

3. REPRESENT

   • Review the diversity of our workforce in order to identify areas of improvement and set ourselves equality targets

   • Ensure that equal opportunities are integral to our recruitment process

4. REACT

   • Focus on key areas identified as part of ‘Doncaster Talks’ consultation – health, jobs and skills, feeling part of the community

   • Zero Tolerance on racial discrimination

5. EDUCATE

   • Deliver training on Cultural Competence and Unconscious Bias

These commitments are in addition to and complement the legal requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty and organisation specific legislation.

About the Inclusion & Fairness Forum

Our purpose is to increase understanding of the challenges related to inclusion and fairness of local people, from all walks of life, whilst shaping and promoting the work of the council and its partnership boards.

We will:

• Support the delivery of change within services;

• Advise and signpost communities and individuals;

• Undertake the role of ‘critical friend’ to help partners shape and deliver the 5 commitments;

• Assist partners in reaching and engaging with communities, especially unrepresented and/or hard to reach groups.