St Helens leading on equality for all in new strategy

Article date: 7 October 2022

Cabinet approved the new strategy which aims to make the council a more inclusive and diverse place for people to work, work with partners to remove barriers for under-represented groups and working across the Liverpool City Region to demonstrate the work being done in the borough to improve inclusivity.

The final strategy comes after consultation with groups and residents showed that the council is taking a lead in this area of equality and continues to show its commitment to supporting everyone in the community, while recognising that to move forward communicating the strategy aims will be key.

The strategy includes aims to achieve a number of quality marks including the Navajo LGBTIQA+ Charter Mark and the Disability Confident Employer Quality Mark which will show the measures being taken by the council as an employer to support its workforce. Work to support this includes training for all staff and working to make sure the workforce characteristics reflect the community it works for.

Councillor Jeanie Bell, Cabinet Member for Safer, Stronger Communities and Equality champion, said: "We want people to feel at home in our borough and happy. As a council we have consistently shown leadership in the borough on equality, diversity and inclusion, not just as an employer but also as a place leader. This strategy focuses on the dual role we play and will build on the commitments we have already made to our staff and residents.

"As an employer we have supported staff through the creation of a BAME staff group and an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Network to support the creation and delivery of this new strategy. We also signed the Race Equality Declaration of Intent last year to show our stand again racism in the workplace and out in our communities and Disability Awareness Pledge to support people with disability. And as a community leader we have supported the establishment of St Helens Pride which returned with huge success this year

"It's fitting that this strategy has come to cabinet in October, which is Black History Month, as it once again gives us the chance to show we are acting on supporting every community in our workforce and community and thinking about their needs, and continue our journey of development. We need to get it right for all people and this challenge will continue to drive the delivery of our strategy."

To see the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy visit the link: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy