Judges’ view

Outstanding passion and leadership, fantastic metrics showing the level of organisational support and commitment the team had behind them. The level of system leadership was particularly impressive with great outcomes. The Trust are leading from the front.

North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare have worked  hard to create a culture of race inclusion, where all groups can flourish, actively led and championed by our diverse senior team. In response to the worsening scores in the Workforce Racical Equality Standard, the Board requested the use of Listening into Action (LiA) approach specically to address improving BAME workforce experience. The BAME LiA event led personally by the CEO, was attended by a cross-section of the BAME workforce who set out the challenges they faced.

Key points:

• Board members powerful conversations catalyst for major culture change on race inclusion across the Trust
• Four core BAME inclusion projects set up
• Overseen by a newly created Inclusion Council, to deliver on a renewed commitment to creating greater diversity, chaired by the CEO, and deputised by the People Director

WRES recruitment and reporting of racist incidents improved in 2 consecutive years, 11 BAME colleagues trained and supporting recruitment, 6 new BAME Freedom to Speak Up Champions appointed, trained and active.

Labelled ‘just meeting minimum legal requirement’ was the impetus for ‘Towards Inclusion 2016-2021’. Fast forward to 2021: progress has been at such pace that the Trust is number one in the ‘Inclusive Companies Top 50 Employers’ and the only NHS Trust shortlisted for ‘Diverse Company’ in National Diversity Awards.Having set a bold ambition, the Board own the strategy and inclusive leadership drives their understanding of the reality of experience for different groups, which helps shift Trust culture.

Judges’view

Impressive entry with wide learning and lots of passion from all involved. The support they gave to BAME staff to build their career pathway was remarkable.

HR and organisational development teams created a base camp for the organisation to start to explore what it could look like as a truly diverse and inclusive organisation. They are providing support and challenge alongside many practical routes into Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for all staff, through  allyship programme and staff networks. Other initiatives are a review of recruitment processes, Rising up programme for BAME staff and strengthening the Zero Tolerance to Racism policy.

Judges’view

The panel loved this entry, particularly that the team felt that they had created a social movement that couldn’t be stopped. Strong leadership and sustainable for the future.