This Action Plan sits alongside the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy 2023 to 2026. We have set three equality objectives for this period.

The Action Plan splits up the actions we will take per each equality objective. This Action Plan also shows if the action is related to: our corporate work, our directorate-level work, about our workforce, about contracts and commissioning or about our work with partners.

We will refresh the actions annually building on the progress of the last year, under each objective.

Please note that this Action Plan is not an exhaustive list of all work the Council is doing to tackle inequalities and promote diversity and inclusion.  All services are expected to incorporate equality considerations into their service planning.

Equality objective 1: We will work with our partners to reduce inequalities between people and places in the borough, and champion equality

1.1 Improve our positive communications about our values in equalities, diversity and inclusion and our communities via our website, magazine and newsletters i.e. pictures and stories that talk about and reflect all residents in the borough.

1.2 Tell others about and get them involved in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work - including the voluntary sector and community and business partners, and across commissioned services, encouraging good practice across Bexley.

1.3 Raise the profile, impact and learning from the council’s internal Equality and Inclusion Steering Group which provides oversight and scrutiny of equality work across the Council, identifying gaps, engaging with staff networks and promoting equalities work.

1.4 Continue to work with voluntary sector and community partners to support Bexley residents through cost-of-living pressures.

1.5 Achieve the ambitions and actions of the forthcoming refreshed 2023 Health and Wellbeing Strategy, to reduce health inequalities in Bexley.

1.6 Deliver targeted funding for community events that celebrate diversity and foster good relations between groups.

1.7 Provide training and guidance for councillors to support them to champion equalities.

Equality objective 2: We will commission and deliver effective and inclusive services that meet the needs of all residents

2.1 Make and encourage best use of our Data Hub, which is our publicly accessible and transparent evidence base, providing data for all protected characteristics.

2.2 Update and improve our Equality Impact Assessment processes and guidance, including in service planning documents, and provide training to staff.

2.3 Develop and embed a policy on consistent collection of equalities data, when appropriate, on the people our services support.

2.4 Scope and consider plans for an online residents panel to provide insight and feedback into the experiences and views of people living, studying and working in Bexley.

2.5 Develop and publish a page on the Council website with information about protected characteristic groups in Bexley and signposting to relevant services.

2.6 Scope a project around digital enablement (skills and access) to understand the needs of Bexley residents and what the Council could do to support residents to be digitally confident.

2.7 Build equalities reviews into our annual Service Delivery Plan process, ensuring directorates make annual commitments in their service areas.

Equality Objective 3: We will recruit, develop and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects our population

3.1 Develop and embed a series of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Toolkits for Managers.

3.2 Deliver an effective communications campaign encouraging staff to provide their equalities information onto our HR systems.

3.3 Continue to provide support to our staff networks, and encourage all staff to attend learning and development events that are co-ordinated by the networks.

3.4 Embed a process for the Equalities and Inclusion Steering Group to report quarterly to CLT on feedback and requests from the staff networks, including process for consideration of staff network requests.

3.5 Increase impact of the CLT Equality Champions programme.

3.6 Deliver and analyse an all-staff survey focused on equality and inclusion, with results broken down by all protected characteristics where possible.

3.7 Continue to promote our zero-tolerance statement to staff and residents, spreading the message that discriminatory and abusive behaviour is unacceptable and ensure staff know what to do if they experience discrimination.

3.8 Establish an equalities hub on the intranet which pulls together guidance on the Equality Impact Assessment process, equalities guidance and policies, good practice resources, an awareness dates, information about the staff networks and the CLT Champions.

3.9 Review processes and practices in HR and services to understand what is needed to gain Disability Employer Level 3 Accreditation.

3.10 Roll out new Workforce Strategy to drive forward our equalities, inclusion and diversity goals for our workforce, specifically recruitment and retention.