Champions Network Meeting, 30th September 2005
Present
Eileen Dinning (Chair)
Robert Anderson
Shazia Ashraf
Valerie Beattie
Vicky Cairns (minutes)
Naira Dar
John Docherty
Sharon Hutchins
Val Marshall
Irene Shields
Jenny Smythe
Gamiel Yafai
Apologies
Phillip Coghill
Geoff Earl
Zaffir Hakim
Lorraine Hall
Les McQueen
Alastair Pringle
Elaine Rae
Kenny Small
1) Welcome
Eileen Dinning welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the members of the Champions Network.
2) Diversity Task Force - Leadership Challenge
2.1 Naira Dar spoke about the role of the Diversity Task Force (DTF) and her responsibility of delivering diversity through effective leadership. Naira is in the process of visiting HR Directors/Chief Executives of each of the boards to see how this area of work can be developed, with the hope that a number of Chief Executives will take ownership of then various strands of equalities work. This Lleadership Programme will work in parallel with the Champions Network and ensure commitment is received from the top.
ACTION 1: It was decided that Naira would provide a more in-depth update on her work at the next meeting.
2.2 John Docherty spoke about his involvement in both equalities issues and patient issues and the lack of commitment to the Equality and Diversity agenda within management. For the Champions Network to work, John felt it was vitally important to have "muscle to support the threat" i.e. commitment from the top as well as commitment from the Cchampions..
2.3 Gamiel Yafai reported that from his experience of Diversity issues within the workplace, the biggest obstacle is time and the allocation of time. The way to overcome this was thought to be through leadership, which must make equality issues a priority.
3) STUC 'One Workplace Project'
3.1 Eileen Dinning spoke about the STUC's 'One Workplace Project' and the work that was being done. The project team have produced campaign materials to aid the promotion of the project, which focuses on promoting the Scottish Executive's One Scotland Many Cultures Campaign at workplace level, and aims to tackle discrimination with the help of individual trade unions. The project team have developed training focused on discrimination and have a support network in place for Trade Union Reps. There is real scope to work together when developing the Champions Network asnd well as bring resources together.
ACTION 2: Shazia to circulate 'One Workplace Equal Rights' presentation - any questions/comments to be directed to Zaffir Hakim.
4) NHS Diversity Champions Network
4.1 Shazia Ashraf spoke about the possible format of the Champions Network and how she envisages a network of frontline Champions who will be active in their approach to tackling negative attitudes to diversity. The impact of the Champions role will be felt at the 'coal-face' and as a result deliver change within the organisation; it will hopefully also enable members of staff to feel that their employers are doing something positive towards promoting and embracing equality and diversity.
4.2 Shazia also mentioned that research had been commissioned on the 'We Know' poster campaign. Some of the research findings provided evidence of discrimination within the workplace and in the majority of cases a colleague was cited as the person involved in the discriminating. Shazia also spoke about the National Staff Governance Report (2003-2004) which states there is evidence that in systems where bullying and harassment has been given a higher profile this has led to an increase in reporting.
ACTION 3: Shazia will be providing progress reports to the HRF regarding the status of the Champions Network.
4.3 Gamiel raised the question as to why restrict the network to comprising mainly of trade unions and professional bodies. It was revealed that the network was more likely to comprise of these people but at the moment, it was not a closed book as to who would be involved. Gamiel stated that there are lots of very passionate people who want to make a difference within Equality and Diversity in hospitals and in other areas of the NHS. Valerie Beattie added that it was vital to ensure that the right people were selected as some may be keen to take on the role but they may not have the necessary skills, and it was universally agreed that those who are chosen to be Champions should be chosen as they have commitment to the cause. Gamiel also raised the important point that the Champions Network must be careful to identify between the boards equality lead and the Diversity Champion.
4.4 Gamiel referred to the Co-op, which has many different Champions at each level of management. Each Champion focuses on a particular aspect of diversity; i.e.therefore there is one for race, one for gender etc. Shazia stated that although this has worked for the Co-op, it would be too costly, time-consuming and messy for the NHS. Champions are only required to listen and point employees in the right direction. They are not required to become specialists in a particular field.
5) Terms of Reference
5.1 At this point Eileen asked that it was minuted that the group acknowledged the volume of work Shazia has done to get this project to the stage it is at. The group all agreed that she had done an excellent job so far.
5.2 It was agreed Eileen, Shazia, Philip, Zaffir and Naira will draft out a Terms of Reference for the group which will be finalised at the next meeting. It was also agreed the next meeting take the format of a full day which would allow the group to draw out what the framework of the model will look like.
5.32 Naira suggested that at the next meeting methods of recruitment and selection should be discussed as should the number of people who will be involved in the pilot.
5.43 There was some discussion around awareness raising of the work of the short life working group and also of the Champions once in place. John Docherty brought up the idea of road-shows or a formal launch event which could increase awareness of the Network and the work that is being done by the group. Shazia mentioned recently seeing a notice stating there was a 'Cleanliness Champion on the premises'. The idea of small notices, stating that there were diversity champions in the workplace, which could be displayed in staff communal areas, was discussed as a possible method of increasing awareness.
ACTION 4: Shazia Ashraf and Eileen Dinning would draw up a draft version of the Terms of Reference for the next meeting.
6) Time Plan
6.1 The time-plan for the implementation of the Champions Network was thought to be a roll-out by March / April 2006.
6.2 Shazia reported that there has been a very good response to the Champions Network and no-one that she has spoken to has stated that it is unnecessary.
6.3 It was decided that the next meeting, which will be a full day event, will take place in Edinburgh on 9th November, venue TBC , with the following meeting occurring a month later in Edinburgh on 9th December, venue TBC .
7) Any Other Business
ACTION 5: A contact list containing details of each of the members of the Working Group will be circulated
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