Go Back

Help us develop our new Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Policy - Phase 1

Share Help us develop our new Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Policy - Phase 1 on Facebook Share Help us develop our new Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Policy - Phase 1 on Twitter Share Help us develop our new Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Policy - Phase 1 on Linkedin Email Help us develop our new Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Policy - Phase 1 link

This workshops have now been completed and we are using the findings to inform our draft EDI Policy.


Background

We want to involve a wide range of residents, communities and partners to help us develop and co-produce our new Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Policy for Barnet.  

With people of many cultural backgrounds, faiths and life experiences living side by side, one of Barnet’s biggest strengths is its richness of diversity. We want to create a place where people feel they belong, are respected, and accepted. Where we have fun together, share our cultures and build an understanding amongst one another.

Our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion is integral to everything we do as a council in how


Background

We want to involve a wide range of residents, communities and partners to help us develop and co-produce our new Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Policy for Barnet.  

With people of many cultural backgrounds, faiths and life experiences living side by side, one of Barnet’s biggest strengths is its richness of diversity. We want to create a place where people feel they belong, are respected, and accepted. Where we have fun together, share our cultures and build an understanding amongst one another.

Our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion is integral to everything we do as a council in how we work with our residents and communities and in the services we provide. Our commitment goes beyond complying with our statutory duties as laid out in the Equality Act 2010. We know that not everyone’s experience is equal. Recognising that it is easier for some to access services and to take advantage of opportunities we know there is more we need to do to ensure that we care for people according to their individual needs and circumstances to address inequalities within our communities.

Our new Corporate Plan 2023 – 2026 will set out our priorities and ambitions for a borough where all residents can fulfil their potential and access the services they need in Barnet. Our aim is to tackle inequalities by proactively listening to and considering different perspectives in decision-making. We want to create a place where people feel they belong and where they are respected. As part of delivering this ambition we are refreshing our Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Policy which was last updated in 2021.


How we plan to involve you 

We need your input as we now begin to develop our new Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy for Barnet. Our engagement and consultation programme will be spilt into two phases:

  • Phase 1: An extensive engagement programme to help inform and co-produce our EDI policy for Barnet. The first phase will include a series of residents' workshops. Council officers will also be going out to talk to various community interest groups who support our residents and service users and also speaking to our partners.
  • Phase 2: Once we have heard all your views and feedback, we will use what you have told us to help develop our draft Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Policy which we will then seek your views on.


Closed: How to register for our residents' workshops

Our residents' workshops will take place between 28 February and 2 March 2023. This is your opportunity for you to tell us your ideas about what the council needs to focus on in terms of equalities, diversity and inclusion in Barnet. As an appreciation of your time and participation we are also offering residents who attend the workshops a £50 online shopping voucher.

Please take the time to register your interest by completing our registration form:

  • registration for the workshops will be open until 22 February 2023
  • we will use the information submitted through this registration form to ensure that a cross section of our residents are represented at the workshops
  • If you get allocated a place, we will contact you by 23 February 2023 and provide you with further details of the workshops
  • if we are oversubscribed for the workshops and you don’t get a place on this occasion, we will keep your details on file and aim to ensure you are invited to future events.

This workshops have now been completed and we are using the findings to inform our draft EDI Policy.

  • We asked, you said, we did

    Share We asked, you said, we did on Facebook Share We asked, you said, we did on Twitter Share We asked, you said, we did on Linkedin Email We asked, you said, we did link

    We asked

    We asked residents, community groups and wider partners to help us develop and co-produce our new Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy for Barnet. Topics covered included format of the new policy, inclusive language, experiences of exclusion, EDI priorities and vision for Barnet.

    You said

    Between February – August 2023, we delivered a series of workshops and community outreach activities. Over 200 people shared their views on how we can create a place where people feel they belong and are respected. Here are the key themes of what people said they want to see:

    • ensure everyone can access services and prioritise supporting those most in need
    • use inclusive language, reflect Barnet’s diversity and promote EDI work
    • more community events and initiatives that foster community togetherness
    • education and training on EDI matters and ways to get involved
    • protection against discrimination.

    We did

    We analysed the insights gathered and produced an EDI policy engagement (phase 1) report which included the following recommendations:

    • keep the new EDI Policy simple, visual and accessible
    • publish an EDI action plan and implement robust processes to monitor progress
    • adopt an evidence-based approach to identify and support those most in need
    • raise awareness of EDI work and consistently involve residents (living the Community Participation Strategy)
    • work closely with voluntary and community sector organisations, businesses, schools, police, NHS and other partners to improve EDI in the borough.

    We launched the EDI policy engagement (phase 2) in September 2023 to gather views on the emerging EDI priorities, vision, action planning and to further explore inclusive language. This builds on the insights gathered from Phase 1 and reinforces our commitment to co-producing our new EDI policy.