Our training helped to embed equality, diversity and inclusion principles into key decision-making processes including policy development, procurement and change.

Background

Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) aimed to improve the experiences of their staff and patients across Kent and Medway via Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) plans. As part of this they commissioned us to develop and deliver a new EDI educational offer to be available to all staff.

The initial focus of the training was on two areas:

• A workshop on embedding equality diversity and inclusion in procurement processes and practice
• A workshop on conducting Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs).

The procurement workshop was aimed at commissioners, procurement officers, contract managers and people involved in the procurement process. It aimed to enable those responsible for procurement to embed EDI principles into procurement processes and practice.

The EIAs workshop was for staff who have responsibility for completing EIAs at the ICB. This included those responsible for policy, service development or delivery and any change projects. The workshop aimed to give participants an understanding of what EIAs are, exploring how they can be used as tools to support inclusive decision making and to ensure that the needs of diverse groups are met. 

Action

The procurement workshop provided participants with practical guidance and advice. It explored why EDI in procurement is important including within emerging protocols and related regulations. We also offered learning methods and tools to help participants consider EDI implications in the procurement processes.

Some of the key themes covered as part of the workshop were:

• Legal framework
• Assessing impact
• Writing the specification
• Writing the qualification and technical questions
• Attracting bidders
• Evaluating bidder responses to the questions.

For the EIA programme we organised online sessions on how to complete an effective EIA and the process for continual equality review.  We designed a workshop programme which included a pack with EIA template guidance and exemplar on how to complete an effective EIA.

Key themes covered as part of this training were:

• Equality legislation
• Protected characteristic and inclusion health groups
• Types of discrimination
• EIA theory and ‘how to’ guide
• EIA practice and scenarios.

Impact

In total we delivered nine sessions to approximately 135 people altogether. Attendees gained a greater understanding of embedding EDI in procurement processes and practice, and of EIAs. In both programmes they were provided with training packs for future reference.

Feedback for procurement workshop:  

Group feedback showed a satisfaction score of 4.3 (out of 5), and respondents outlined the following aspects from the content as most useful:

• “Excellent presenters, enjoyed the group work being one group typing answers in and discussing, it felt much more interactive than being in a breakout group where others do not participate”
• “Writing the specification”
• “The description of the example questions for the procurement process where helpful to explain how these areas could be addressed”
• “The importance of EDI in procurement”
• “Good overview and high-level introduction”
• “I think it gave great food for thought for what to include when we approach our next procurement and make sure we include EDI – useful tips and examples that I saved and could use as a place to start to ensure I include EDI even if it is just a small part”
• “Practical session has helped with beginning to apply relevant learning to task”
• “Explained the purpose and approaches and considerations regarding EDI”.

Feedback for the EIA Workshop:  

Group feedback showed a satisfaction score of 4.0 (out of 5) and respondents outlined the following aspects from the content as most useful:

• “Understanding the complexity of EIA”
• “Raising awareness of the requirements for the EIA “
• “Clarity regarding the legislation”
• “The process of an EIA and the discussion about completing our ICB EIA”
• “Exploring the practical example. The theory was useful and understanding Intersectionality”
• “Thought provoking discussions from the breakout group, considering what data is required when completing the task in hand”
• “Scenario – discussion of EIA content. Breakout rooms useful and then discussion in the larger groups”
• “It gave me a good basis in EIA in theory with a practical application and helped me rethink my own bias”
• “Seeing a worked example and understanding everything that needs to be considered”
• “Good videos and group discussion and learning about intersectionality”.

As a consequence of the success of these two programmes the Organisation Development Business Partner at the ICB responsible for training and development wished to explore needs and options for the coming year.