CENTRAL MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

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LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER STAFF NETWORK

TERMS OF REFERENCE

1.CONSTITUTION

1.1The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Staff Network is a self-determining, voluntary staff group addressing LGBT issues feeding into the Trust’s Equality and Diversity agenda.

  1. MEMBERSHIP

2.1A confidential list of members will be maintained by the honorary officers of the group. Invitation to join the LGBT Staff Network will be extended to all Trust staff on a frequent basis, via recognised staff communication mechanisms.

2.2Core members

The membership of the group is open to all permanent and temporary staff who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender.

Elected honorary officers 2013/2014
Chair / James Swinburne
Vice Chair / Mike Neal
Secretary / Jessica Nichols

2.3 Additional members

There may be representation from Trust departments as and when required and for the purpose of presentation of Trust policy, procedure or proposals or to respond to concerns raised by the Network.

Co-opted Equality and Diversity Representatives 2013/2014
HR Equality and Diversity / Akhtar Zaman
Service Equality Team / TBC (David Codner to confirm)

2.4The required minimum quorum to attend Network meetings should be at least five LGBT staff, including the Chair or Vice Chair.

3.ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

3.1There will be an open invitation to LGBT Staff Network members, which will be extended by the honorary officers. Honorary officers are expected to attend meetings where possible. Co-opted members should ensure representation from their department upon request.

4.FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS

4.1The meetings will normally be held bi-monthly and will last up to an hour. Dates of meetings will be arranged a year in advance. Additional meetings may be held in exceptional circumstances following agreement with the Core members.

5.PURPOSE AND AIMS

5.1The aims and objectives of the LGBT Staff Network are to provide a forum to:

  • Support LGBT staff
  • Enable LGBT staff to feel that they are part of and have a vital role to play in the trust
  • Discuss issues affecting LGBT staff with key decision makers within the Trust
  • Assist in formulating new and reviewing existing policies and procedures.
  • Contribute in reviewing the Trust’s progress in its statutory obligations regarding its duty under the Equality Act 2010
  • Advise on the provision of courses to meet training needs and on the content of courses with equality and diversity implications as they relate to LGBT staff
  • Provide an arena for staff to raise their concerns, in a safe and confidential environment.
  • Provide an opportunity for staff to update each other on local and national policy and development.
  • Consider the views of LGBT service users and make recommendations for service improvements.
  • Work with the Trust to encourage improvement with monitoring of staff and service users’ sexual orientation, challenging cultural and systematic barriers to obtaining this information.
  • Encourage and support the Trust to mark and support significant LGBT events throughout the year
  • Act as a campaigning voice on LGBT issues within the Trust.
  • Make local and national affiliations with other likeminded staff groups.

6.SCOPE AND DUTIES

6.1To represent the views of LGBT staff to the highest level within the Trust.

6.2To suggest improvements to service with the experience of LGBT service users in mind.

7.AUTHORITY

7.1The LGBT Staff Network is empowered to examine and investigate any activity within the Trust surrounding LGBT staff and service equality issues.

8.REPORTING

1.1Recognition that issues can be reported to the HR Equality and Diversity Group and the Equality Implementation Group (EIG). Minutes will be taken each meeting.

  1. KPIs FOR THE GROUP
  • Annual report
  • Attendance and participation at EIG
  • To draw up and implement a work plan
  • Identified actions derived from the work plan delivered within agreed timescales
  • To canvas opinion of LGBT staff within the Trust.
  • To canvas opinion of LGBT service users of the Trust
  • To represent the views of LGBT service users and staff to the highest level within the Trust.
  1. REVIEW

10.1 These Terms of Reference will be reviewed annually alongside the election of the honorary officers

March 2013