Best Employer for Diversity and Inclusion

Cygnet Group
Staff Networks

" The health, well-being and career development of our staff are essential to outstanding service provision. With over 10,000 staff consisting of over 110 nationalities we faced challenges in establishing a unified voice. Cygnet celebrates diversity and inclusion by welcoming everyone from all backgrounds and experiences. Our purpose and inspiring outcomes motivate people to work with us from different backgrounds and experiences, from all corners of the country and indeed from across the world. We are proud to have five staff networks which help us celebrate diversity and equality, Multicultural Network, Womens Network, Carers Network, LGBTQ+ Network and DISAbility Network."

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
RISE(Resilience Intelligence Strength and Excellence)The customised BME Talent programme

" The RISE programme was designed to address ethnic health inequalities and improve Global Majority staff experiences within our Trust, evidenced by Workforce Race Equality Standards (WRES). We implemented expert coaching, mentoring, and leadership training, focusing on patient safety projects and allyship. Challenges included overcoming systemic biases and self-imposed barriers among participants. The programme led to significant improvements in WRES scores, career advancements, and enhanced personal and clinical practice impacts. Participants reported high satisfaction, with many achieving role promotions and increased confidence. The programme's success has been shared across NHS Trusts, fostering widespread adoption and sustained improvement in diversity and inclusion."

King's College Hospital NHS Trust
Cultural Intelligence Programme at King's

"Currently, numerous disparities exist in diversity and inclusion, particularly concerning areas such as disciplinary actions, experiences of discrimination, access to career advancement opportunities, and instances of bullying and harassment. In order to address challenges in relation to disciplinary, discrimination, career advancement opportunities and bullying/harassment, King’s has embarked on a Cultural Intelligence (CQ) programme. We have now delivered the programme to over 150 people across the Trust, and received overwhelmingly positive feedback. CQ has brought a sense of togetherness and fostered a culture of inclusivity. "

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Towards Race Equity- Leading through engagement masterclass

"During the pandemic, the spotlight on racial issues within the NHS intensified, and Leeds Teaching Hospitals faced significant challenges such as having alarmingly high Race Disparity Ratio in Nursing & Midwifery Teams at 15.07, compared to the national average of 3.7. In response, we implemented proactive measures, including the impactful Towards Race Equity Masterclass (TREM) program for middle managers. Despite initial challenges in encouraging open discussions about race, we succeeded, as evidenced by positive feedback from participants and increased numbers of Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) staff progressing into senior positions."

The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
Celebrating Cultural Awareness with the BAME staff network

"At the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, we are focused on the promotion of diversity and inclusion within our workforce providing consistent support for BAME colleagues. To deliver this, we created the BAME directory to facilitate mentorship and representation and organised cultural celebration events to highlight the diverse cultures within our team. Through these efforts, we inspired a more inclusive environment, increased cultural awareness, and recognised the contributions of our internationally educated colleagues. Since its launch, the directory has become a valuable resource for mentorship and support, and the cultural events and celebrations of staff have strengthened our community bonds. "

University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust
Multi Professional Shared Decision Making Anti-Racism Toolkit

"The Anti-Racism Shared Decision-Making (SDM) Council at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire adapted the nationally endorsed document ""Combatting Racial Discrimination"" to create an anti-racism toolkit. This council, comprising ethnic minority staff and allies, analysed the national framework and tailored it to meet the unique needs of our organisation. The project was justified by Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) data and staff survey results, highlighting the necessity. Our innovative methodology used shared decision-making to shape the toolkit effectively. The toolkit is designed to enable and empower staff across the Trust to embrace inclusivity and adhere to Trust values and professional codes. "

University Hospitals Sussex
Collaborative approach to HCSW recruitment with Department of Work and Pensions

" In 2022, University Hospitals Sussex (UHSx) NHS tackled a 24.8% vacancy rate and increased demand for healthcare assistants due to new hospital construction. We launched an inclusive recruitment initiative in Brighton, we actively encouraged neurodiverse individuals, refugees, and the long-term unemployed. By emphasizing cultural fit and supporting candidates’ health conditions and personal circumstances, we transformed our recruitment process, creating a diverse workforce. This initiative has enhanced equality, diversity, and inclusion within our nursing and midwifery staff, ensuring equal treatment and opportunities. Our efforts reflect our commitment to eliminating discrimination and fostering a workforce that mirrors the communities we serve."