LGBT+ Network
A group of staff who promote better equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (+ other sexual orientations and gender identities) members of staff and service users.
Aims of the LGBT+ Network:- Provide a safe and supportive space for LGBT+ staff
- Raise awareness, knowledge and understanding of LGBT+ issues across the organisation
- Improve the inclusiveness of policy and practice at the County Council
- Improve the inclusiveness of the delivery of services by the County Council to the public
Disability Network
The Disability Network promotes inclusion and equality of opportunity for disabled colleagues and service users.
Aims of the Disability Network:- Develop an organisation that is inclusive for all disabled people
- Provide a forum for staff with visible and invisible disabilities, including neurodiverse, mental health and long-term medical conditions
- Provide learning opportunities, relating to disability, for the workforce
- Advise colleagues on making products, services and processes accessible and inclusive
- Signpost employees and managers to disability support and advice
- Work in partnership with other disabled people’s networks and organisations
- The Network also links with the Neurodiverse and the Auto-Immune staff support groups
Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Network
The focus of the BME Staff Network is to support and empower our members, influence the organisation and work with other networks to effectively promote equality, diversity and inclusion to improve racial outcomes for staff and Hampshire’s communities.
The BME Staff Network aims to:- Ensure that BME matters are considered for staff of black, Asian and ethnic minority heritage
- Drive forward racial equality within the County Council, as an employer and service provider
- Ensure that BME colleagues and service users are listened to and that sufficient weight is given to members’ diverse views and experiences
- Provide opportunities for staff to learn and educate themselves on BME and racial issues
- Support BME colleagues to seek further training and development
- Opportunities to help them to progress in their roles within the County Council
Carers/ Working Parents Staff Network
Aims of the Carers/Working Parents Network
To provide:- A safe & supportive space to gather together to share views, experiences, and concerns
- Access to a Yammer Group and fortnightly drop-ins where colleagues can ask for help and offer advice within a safe and inclusive environment
- Quarterly meetings and one-off meetings to discuss specific issues
- Educational opportunities for all staff to expand their understanding of matters affecting carers/working parents
- Opportunity to influence and improve policy, practice, and service design within HCC
Women's Network
The aims of the Women’s Network, which welcomes all staff of any gender, are to:
- Improve gender equality at all levels of the organisation, including women in leadership
- Work in partnership with the organisation to ensure that issues affecting women are given the prominence they warrant and advise on policies and practice at the County Council
- Signpost to support and advice about women’s health issues such as, but not exclusive to, perimenopause, menopause, periods, and endometriosis. The network links in with a Menopause Matters staff support group
- Work in partnership with the other Staff Networks
- Continually identify areas where support or advice is needed and facilitate a safe space for colleagues to connect and support one another
