Equality, diversity and inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion at ESNEFT

Equality Diversity and Inclusion is rooted in the Human Rights Act (1998) and the Equality Act (2010). The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Agenda ensures that the Trust fulfils its Statutory and Public Equality Duty, that all staff and patients are treated in a fair and equitable manner, with dignity and respect, have equal opportunity to resources and representation under the Equality Act (2010).

Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do in our everyday activities here at ESNEFT. It is reflected in the People Strategy, and underpinned by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

As a Trust we are committed to safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of all our staff members as well as our patients, under the 9 protected characteristics and of those who do not share it (Equality Act, 2010). We are committed to ensure that no person is subject to any form of discrimination, harassment and other treatments that would have a detriment on the individual.

Prioritising as well as promoting the EDI agenda will further fulfil the Trust’s commitment to being a Model Employer.

Together we can achieve in ensuring that as a Trust we look after each other, promote inclusive and compassionate leadership and provide high standards of quality service. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the EDI agenda, we all consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into action for a better ESNEFT.

We want our employment and service provision to meet everyone’s needs therefore we are constantly thinking of new ways to engage with our diverse workforce and the local population. We believe this is more than just a legal requirement under the Equality Act 2010:

We want to make it easy for people to access our services
We want to recruit and retain our staff from all communities
We want our staff and those who use our services to be valued and respected as individuals
We want to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and honestly.

We are fully committed to our obligations under the Equality Act and equality reporting standards therein:

Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES)

The WRES Action Plan 2024 provides the Trust with assurance of compliance with the mandatory WRES reporting regulations set out by NHS England.

The main purpose of the WRES is to:

a. help local, and national, NHS organisations (and other organisations providing NHS services) to review their data against the nine WRES indicators;
b. produce action plans to close the gaps in workplace experience between white and BAME staff; and
c. improve BAME representation at the Board level of the organisation.

The report provides the annual data and sets out the key actions to be taken by the Trust to address the gaps in experience between ethnic minority staff in comparison to their white counterparts based on our WRES data submission. This action plan details how ESNEFT will achieve an improvement on the experiences of ethnic minority staff working co-productively with our ethnic minority staff network, EMBrace, to eliminate any inequalities and promote an inclusive culture.

ESNEFT Workforce Race Equality Standard Reports (WRES)

ESNEFT Workforce race equality standard (WRES) – ESNEFT Document library (esneftdoclibrary.org.uk)

Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES)

The WDES Action Plan 2024 provides the Trust with assurance of compliance with the mandatory WDES reporting regulations set out by NHS England.

The action plan also aligns with our Disability Confident Employer commitment to:

Ensure our recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible
Offer an interview to disabled people
Anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as required
Support any existing employee who acquires a disability or long-term health conditions, enabling them to stay in work.

ESNEFT Workforce Disability Equality Standard Reports (WDES)

ESNEFT workforce disability equality standard (WDES) – ESNEFT Document library (esneftdoclibrary.org.uk)

ESNEFT disability confident employer certificate – ESNEFT Document library (esneftdoclibrary.org.uk)

The Gender Pay Gap

The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties and Public Authorities) Regulations 2017, introduced gender pay reporting legislation, which requires employers with 250 or more employees to publish statutory calculations every year identifying the pay gap between male and female employees. We are required to publish results on 6 indicators and this information, which has been checked and authorised by our Board members, is available below.

This year we have reported a slight increase in gender pay gap and details of proposed actions to help address this:

The Trust’s commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, that gives equal opportunities to all employees irrespective of gender.
Supporting career progression among staff to ensure that all employees, irrespective of gender are provided equal and where possible, equitable opportunities to reach their full potential in terms of skills, experience and development needs.
Promote our inclusive and compassionate leadership ethos to potential applicants, which may attract a wider pool of talented people for vacancies, helping the Trust to recruit the best possible candidates.