Governance and diversity: Providing

strategic leadership on EDI

Sandra Fawcett, Executive Director – Operations

Swan Housing Association

Swan

11,000 homes – East London and Essex

Diverse communities and geographic spread

Commitment to excellent services and on-going

improvement

Regeneration, growth and community

development

Innovation is key

Care and Support Services

What should boards be

doing to provide strategic

leadership on EDI?

What support do they

require from others?

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Needs

Strategic approach

Commitment from the top

Passion and commitment

to lead

To be embedded throughout

the organisation

Board, Committees

and Executive Team Must

Have knowledge, awareness and understanding of EDI

Recruitment

Induction/ training

Skills assessment/ appraisal

Ensure EDI is central to all that we do

Communicate commitment through Corporate Strategy

and Values

Monitor progress through defined reporting structure

Review progress and delivery against key milestones

What did we do at Swan?

Governance Review

Recruitment of Board and Committees

Clear Leadership commitment

Board and Executive Team training

Refreshed Equality Scheme

Committed to Housing Diversity Network

accreditation process

Signed the CIH’s Leading Diversity by

2020 Challenge

Swan’s EDI Structure

Equ

alit

y an

d D

iver

sity

Board

Strategic leadership

Committee

Executive

Senior Team

Diversity Action Forum

Customers

Diversity Network Accreditation

How did we prepare? Prepare evidence documents: 3 strands

(Business, Customer and Community impact)

and list of key documents

Plan site visit – Who?

Board and Executive, Managers, range of

employees – location, team, level, length of time

with organisation, residents

Prepare for site visit – Briefings: key message

– Be open and honest and enjoy it!

Diversity Network Accreditation

Distinctions for good practice:

Diverse Leadership

Proactive and successful at diversifying

Board membership

Inclusive and positive culture

Diversity Days

Community Development approach

Diversity Day 2016

Biggest and best yet – 100 participants

Varying themes each year

The Day: No Place for Hate

HIV: Living Well, Ending Stigma

Sexual Orientation

Gender Identity

Diversity Lunch

Rethinking Mental Illness

Film ‘The Stranger

on the Bridge’

What support do Board

and Executive Teams need

from others?

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Organisational culture – EDI is the role of

everyone

Action not just words

Access to expertise and training

Co-ordination of work in a structured way

Clear and regular reporting

Increasing profile of EDI through trade

bodies

External assessment also useful

• The real test – what do employees,

residents, customers and partners think?

Make sure to celebrate

commitment to EDI!

Show your residents your

commitment to EDI

And show your communities

your commitment to EDI

The Basildon Echo:

Thank you for

listening

Questions?