Human Resources

Diversity and equal opportunity

We have continued with our programme of managing diversity and valuing inclusion training for managers, and recently piloted an all-staff e-learning diversity package.

New guidance booklets on cultural diversity and a leaflet about new laws on religion and sexual orientation have been provided to all staff.

We continued our programme of outreach work, running a workshop for those involved in recruitment with contributions from the Commission for Racial Equality and the Cabinet Office. We have worked with recruitment advertising agencies to target our job adverts at a more diverse range of applicants.

Our first network for disabled staff was established as part of the European Year of Disabled People and the network is contributing to a programme of disability proofing across our policies and procedures.

We remain active in extending childcare provision across the network. We have seven on-site nurseries, covering 10 local offices, with plans under way to open workplace nurseries in Plymouth and Leicester. We have also expanded our existing nursery at Coventry. This commitment helps us to recruit and retain high-quality staff.