Equality and Diversity Recruitment
Equality, diversity and inclusion at Yorkshire Ambulance Service
Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) prides itself not only on the diverse range of services that it offers as a regional healthcare provider, but also on the diverse range of people within YAS who provide patient care and support the organisation. We are proud of our ability to harness the different experiences, backgrounds and personalities of the people working here in order to create a workplace culture that we all value, and that leads us to providing the best possible care to the people we serve.
We are passionate about ensuring our services and employment practices are accessible and inclusive for the diverse communities we serve and the people we employ. This commitment is reflected in the Trust’s vision and values with equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of these.
We strive to become an employer of choice for individuals regardless of their age, disability, gender identity/gender transition phase, sexual orientation, religion and belief, race, maternal or and pregnancy status, marriage/civil partnership status, social economic background or any other distinction. Our inclusive workforce will support our delivery of high quality services and provision of compassionate care to all our patients and service users. Therefore, our approach to equality, diversity and inclusion needs to go beyond legal compliance and be central to the Trust’s core business.
One of the Trust’s strategic aims is to “attract, develop and retain a highly skilled, engaged and diverse workforce”. This area is being implemented through the Trust’s People Strategy where through effective leadership we aim to: develop a positive and inclusive culture; celebrate and support difference in our workforce and embrace diversity and promote inclusivity to be an inclusive organisation and representative of the communities we serve.
Join us
Diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our culture and values and we strive to make them visible in everything we do.
- We aim to attract, select and retain a diverse range of talented people to work at the Trust and value the contribution made by everyone.
- We embrace the diversity of all our staff, patients, service users, visitors and everyone associated with the Trust to create a harmonious environment where people are comfortable being themselves and are able to realise their full potential.
- We challenge inequality in all its forms and promote dignity, respect and understanding within the Trust and the wider community.
We are currently recruiting for a Head of Diversity and Inclusion, to lead our equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.
Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Yorkshire Ambulance Service
As the Head of Diversity and Inclusion, you will be a key member of the Workforce and OD Directorate’s Senior Leadership Team with specific responsibility for leading the diversity and inclusion agenda for the whole of YAS. You will lead a number of areas within the Trust’s People Strategy under the strategic aim of culture and leadership.
Supported by a Diversity and Inclusion Advisor and with the full support of the Trust Board and Executive Team, your first year in post will involve collaborating with stakeholders on the following priorities:
- Ensuring the Trust’s decision making forums are representative of our workforce and the community we serve, which includes supporting the launch of our BAME Non-Executive Director Development Programme
- Developing plans to create a working environment free from bullying, harassment and abuse against staff to create a culture of civility and respect
- Ensuring that the Trust’s recruitment and selection practices are inclusive for staff and prospective applicants
- Ensuring that staff from diverse backgrounds have a voice regarding issues they face in order to improve their working experience
- That all staff are able to bring their true selves to work and any differences are celebrated and supported
- Ensure that managers are conscious of EDI issues and challenges and enable all our staff to flourish at work.
This is an important and integral agenda for YAS and you will join us at an exciting time to take forward this work to ensure YAS is diverse, inclusive and has a culture where everyone can bring their true selves to work.
To be successful in being appointed to this role, you will be able to demonstrate:
- Significant management and equality, diversity and inclusion experience at a senior level, with practical application in engagement and successful implementation of initiatives
- Demonstrable in-depth knowledge across the whole diversity and inclusion spectrum, rather than just specialism in a few specific areas
- A proven track record of engagement and involvement, including with ‘yet to reach’ communities and stakeholders
- A high level of people management skills, with the ability to manage priorities and deliver against challenging deadlines, coupled with sound credibility with senior leaders
- Education to a Masters Level or have equivalent experience.
If this, sounds like you, and you believe you have the necessary skills and experience for the role, then we would be delighted to hear from you.
Further information
For further information about equality, diversity and inclusion at YAS please visit https://www.yas.nhs.uk/join-our-team/diversity-at-yas/
Staff networks at YAS
A number of staff networks exist across the organisation. Click here to find out more about our staff networks.
Statement from the Disability Network Chair, Tom Heywood
We are very proud of our Disability Support Network at YAS. In the last two years, with support from our senior team and funding for network and branding development, we are now one of the most developed disability networks in the ambulance sector.
We have been supporting our staff through the heights of COVID-19, developing new reasonable adjustment guidance and processes alongside supporting the delivery of the Workforce Equality Disability Standard action plan. As one of the most developed ambulance sector networks, we are also helping to create a National Ambulance Disability Group and the exciting opportunities that this brings.
We have a clear vision and look forward to welcoming a Diversity and Inclusion Lead who can support us in making YAS the best place to work for staff with a disability, long-term condition and impairment.
Statement from BME Network Chair, Tasnim Ali
Our network is here to do primarily three things; support our staff, our patients and our Trust.
We are keen for the Head of Diversity and Inclusion to support us to deliver this.
Within YAS we are so lucky that we have our Board signed up to help us with tackle race inequalities, not only through the WRES but also through other initiatives as well. Our Board sponsors include our Chief, Chairman, Director of Workforce and OD and Director of Operations. Our network is growing in size, especially since the pandemic. We continue to support people in a number of ways. We are keen to really make a difference.
Statement from Pride@YAS (LGBT+) Chair, Ella Rotherham-Brown
Our network provides support and advice for staff and patients within the LGBT+ community and our allies. We also offer signposting to other services, for example crisis lines for people in need of guidance. We plan events such as our attendance of York Pride every year and work on campaigns in collaboration with other networks. We are currently focusing on supporting the organisation to achieve LGBT+ Friendly status and are hosting the National Ambulance LGBT+ Network Conference in Yorkshire in 2021.
The Head of Diversity and Inclusion is a crucial role for PRIDE@YAS Network, as it provides significant leadership, advice and guidance for our network to be as successful as possible.
