Hampshire County Council Positive Action Statement of intent

Hampshire County Council aims for people in Hampshire to live safe, healthy and independent lives; enjoy a rich and diverse environment; be part of thriving, inclusive communities, and benefit from strong and sustainable economic growth and prosperity. To support this, we strive to remain a diverse and inclusive employer, recruiting the very best people to work for us – from a wide and diverse pool of talent.


As one of the largest employers in Hampshire, we are committed to playing our part in reversing discrimination and helping under-represented groups to access opportunity. We do this by:

  • supporting inclusive recruitment practices and removing discrimination against any employee or applicant in their access to employment, training, working conditions, promotion or dismissal;
  • seeking to build a workforce which reflects the diversity of Hampshire’s communities – being regarded as an employer of choice by, and for, those we serve;
  • taking practical steps to address disadvantage and encourage equality of opportunity. This has included, for example, supporting Armed Forces Service Leavers to transition into public sector employment, hosting work placements for Looked After Children, and becoming a Disability Confident employer;
  • promoting apprenticeship opportunities for under-represented groups – particularly for roles not typically sought, or filled, by women;
  • working to implement best practice in all ongoing and future work, in close collaboration with a range of active staff networks.

What is Positive Action?

If an organisation can show its workforce is underrepresented within particular groups, under the Equality Act 2010 it can carry out ‘positive action’ to encourage applications from people in those groups.

For example, targeting our communications to underrepresented groups to help remove disadvantage.  This includes encouraging people to apply for employment; helping with skills development; offering support to complete application forms; and developing interview techniques. 

Our recruitment will always be open and accessible to everyone - recruiting Managers will be disability aware, applying reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process as appropriate. All who apply will be assessed against consistent standards.

All County Council employees are appointed solely on individual merit - their skills, competencies and values. This means that our staff are always the very best candidates available.