Human Resources Equality and Diversity Steering Group

Terms of Reference

1. Aims

The aim of the Human Resources Equality and Diversity Steering Group is to provide a forum to ensure:

That the Trust addresses the needs of the diverse community that it serves as an employer.
That Trust Employmentpolicies and procedures incorporate equality and diversity issues.
The Trust complies with the employment duties laid out in the Equality legislation.

2. Objectives

The Group will:

Take the lead in reviewing, developing, promoting, training and monitoring the department’s approach to the management of the Equality & Diversityemployment agenda.
Identify and manage potential E & D risks in relation to employment.
Monitor and review overall progress onHR E & D Work Programme/Action Plan.
Respond toand provide assurance of compliance with Care Quality Commission and NHSLA.
Work within Equality and Human Rights Commission guidelines and statutory codes of practice.
Ensure all proposed plans are discussed with wider stakeholders e.g. staff networks and trade unions.
ConsiderEquality & Diversityrecommendations from staff networks and other working groups as appropriate.

3. Membership

The core membership will be individuals representing the range of Human Resources Directorate’s activities. The group will be chaired by the Associate Director of HRand can co-opt members for limited periods for specific issues.

The core membership will be:

Associate Director of HR (Chair)

Head of Operational HR (Vice Chair)

Equality and Diversity Manager

Head of Organisational Development & Training

Head of Recruitment & Workforce Planning

Head of Medical Staffing

Head of Occupational Health

Head of HR Project Development

Other member(s) of HR Directorate as and when required.

4. Frequency

The group will meet monthly.

5. Governance

The group will report to theHuman ResourcesCommittee and Equality Implementation Group on a bi-monthly basis.

6.Roles of the Membership

To regularly attend all meetings of the group.
To contribute fully thus enabling the group to comply with the Terms of Reference.
To support staff in their own departments to undertake duties assigned by the group.
To act as advocates of the group and the broader equality and diversity agenda within the Trust.
To ensure that employment aspects of the equality and diversity agenda and outputs of the group are communicated widely, through existing forums and communication channels.
To contribute to the group their specialist knowledge, make an assessment of the impact of the E & D agenda in their specialist area and provide informed opinions to progress the agenda.

7. Review

These Terms of Reference will be reviewed on an annual basis.

01/08/2012