As an organisation we embrace the diversity of people from all groups in society, regardless of their age, race,ethnicity, cultural background, religion, belief, disability, gender or sexual orientation. Our Single Equality Scheme provides a framework for this.

We are also committed to improving the health, safety, welfare and security of our staff. All staff have access to occupational health services provided by University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. We actively promote an open and supportive management culture, ensuring that staff are able to seek help and support when needed. Staff are encouraged to take personal responsibility for identifying issues relating to health, safety, welfare and security and to take action to prevent or inimise those issues. This year we held healthy working events at each of our sites to promote the available support and to listen to staff views of their working lives.

Our statement on Health and Safety sets out the general policy with respect to health and safety at work. We have a mandatory training programme for all employees which incorporates all aspects of health and safety and equality and diversity. There is additional mandatory training for all line managers covering employment workshops, internal dispute resolution and maintaining a harmonised workforce.

This year we have introduced a new source of support for staff. Nine staff members have been trained as Contact Officers in response to the 2008 staff survey and feedback from Equality and Diversity training sessions. Contact officers offer impartial advice and guidance to employees who are experiencing harassment or bullying and act as a referral point for specialist advice to ensure employees feel supported.

The SHA has established a Social Partnership Forum to provide a focus for debate and constructive partnership with the trade unions on matters of strategy. The Forum works to improve the quality of the dialogue between the SHA and trade unions. The principle focus has been on Investing for Health, the NHS Next Stage Review and matters arising from the national Social Partnership Forum.Staff are encouraged to join a trade union or other staff organisation and the SHA recognises a wide range of these organisations. The SHA meets regularly with staff representatives to discuss matters of common interest.
 

We encourage staff participation in shaping working practices through consultation on policy development, access to electronic discussion forums and by holding regular lunchtime open learning sessions on key activities. Core skills training programmes are in place, including appraisal, health and safety, performance management and IT training, with an emphasis on workplace learning.

This year we have launched a Corporate Induction Programme with induction sessions for new starters. The NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) is used by the SHA for staff development, using personal development plans as the basis of a development review process. This is an ongoing cycle of review, planning, development and evaluation for linking organisational and individual development needs and is a commitment to the development of everyone who works in the NHS Development, needs and opportunities are identified and agreed between staff and their line managers.

Electronic KSF management has been introduced to make using KSF easier for all staff. Staff have Personal Development Portfolios to enable the recording of skills, experience and achievements in a way that demonstrates
how their attributes match against competencies required for both their current and future roles.

 NHS West Midlands are certified as committed to employing disabled people.