In this statement, we set out publicly our commitment and priorities for action on equality, diversity and inclusion. We define equality, diversity and inclusion in its broadest sense, to include all protected characteristics, social class and carer status.
To succeed at making a positive difference to the lives of all adult and parent carers in Leeds, we know that Carers Leeds must become a more equal, diverse and inclusive employer and service provider. Carers Leeds is committed to being an organisation that is representative of the communities we serve and the city in which we are based. Carers Leeds is committed to real cultural change, and we strongly believe that by putting ED&I at the heart of everything we do, we will deliver impactful services.
Our commitment to change is set out in our organisational strategy, ED&I annual action plan and ED&I policy. We acknowledge that although we have made progress towards our commitment to ED&I, we also need to do more. Our staff and volunteer workforce does not currently represent the diverse community we serve. We are not reaching some parts of the diverse adult and parent carer population of Leeds. We know we need to keep taking steps to ensure that ED&I stays central to all areas of our work.
We know that change means having honest, sometimes difficult, conversations about our own culture and practice. It means turning these conversations into action. We will be humble. We will listen and learn from the experiences of others. We will be open, and we will invite challenge.
Our Organisational Strategy and ED&I annual action plan sets out our priorities for action. These actions are underpinned by the following:
- Be consistent with our values and behaviours
- Listen and learn from the lived experience of staff, volunteers, carers and wider community
- Wide staff and volunteer engagement including an ED&I working group and champions
- Be data driven – collect and use data from staff, volunteers and carers to inform our actions
- Strong leadership at Board, CEO and Senior Management level
Carer Confident Level 3: Ambassador
The Carer Confident benchmarking scheme assists employers to build a supportive and inclusive workplace for staff who are, or will become, carers and to make the most of the talents that carers can bring to the workplace.
Carers Leeds are proud to be Level 3: Ambassador for carer support both internally and externally.
What’s it for?
Assessing and evaluating our support for our internal working carers.
Why we use it
We use the award partially as a benchmark against the best employers and also as a toolkit to ensure that we are doing as much as possible to support our own working carers.
Excellence for Carers
Excellence for Carers is the Carers Trust organisational standard for best practice in delivering services, information, and advice to unpaid carers.
What’s it for?
A standard for encouraging best practice in the operations of charities.
Why we use it
It helps us to benchmark ourselves against the best so that we can continually enhance the service we provide.
Mindful Employer
Mindful Employer is a national initiative supporting employers to take a positive approach towards mental health at work.
What’s it for?
Recognising that we support the health and wellbeing of our workforce
Why we use it
We use the logo to promote our employer brand as a caring organisation. This supports our recruitment and retention as well as being in line with our values. Membership allows us to interact with other employers to share good practice.
Living Wage Employer
Every member of staff working for Carers Leeds earns a real Living Wage.
The real Living Wage is higher than the government’s minimum, or National Living Wage, and is an independently calculated hourly rate of pay that is based on the actual cost of living. It is calculated each year and is announced by the Living Wage Foundation as part of Living Wage Week.
You can find out more about the Living Wage by visiting www.livingwage.org.uk.
Investing in Volunteers
Investing in Volunteers is the UK quality standard for good practice in volunteer management.
What’s it for?
Recognising the support and effective relations with volunteers at Carers Leeds.
Why we use it
We use it as a toolkit to make sure we are offering the best support to our volunteers so that they are effective in their roles.
West Yorkshire Fair Work Charter
The West Yorkshire Fair Work Charter is an initiative to support and celebrate the great employers across the region and aims to promote and recognise the positive impact of fair work on businesses and their people. It is led by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and is one of Tracy Brabin’s, Mayor of West Yorkshire, 10 Mayoral Pledges.
What’s it for?
Recognising employers in West Yorkshire who are good employers in relation to their workforce.
Why we use it
We use this as a way of enhancing the relationship with our workforce through exchanging good practice with like minded employers in the region.