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Job overview
Cultural Inclusion Agents CIAs) (formerly known as Cultural Ambassadors)
The East of England Ambulance Service is about to embark on training 30 new Cultural Inclusion Agents (CIAs). The change in name from Cultural Ambassador to Cultural Inclusion Agents (CIAs) is due to the broadening of the remit from race and religion to all 9 protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. We also chose Cultural Inclusion Agent, because the removal of the word ambassador will reduce any confusion with FTSU ambassadors. It also includes the word Inclusion, which is our aim and doesn’t lose the original Culture element in the title.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN), Cultural Ambassador programme was originally embarked upon by EEAST in November 2020, with the training of 15 Cultural Ambassadors and formally launched in January 2022. It is an award-winning initiative targeting inequality in recruitment and employee relations systems and processes.
The new Cultural Inclusion Agents will provide the Trust with an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to staff with any of the 9 protected characteristics.
The case for Change:
We recognise that if we are to make a difference then we must challenge unconscious bias and discrimination at its core and put in place mechanisms that can ensure that our processes are fairly and consistently applied to meet the needs of the diverse staff who deliver our services.
In the recent weeks, 3 Equality surveys (BME, LGBT+ and Disability) have taken place and the reports have been shared.
From all three the Equality surveys, there are 4 key themes emerging.
1. Inappropriate language being used
2. A lack of cultural awareness, ignorance pertaining to cultural differences
3. Inappropriate leadership behaviours by line managers
4. Possible direct and/or indirect discrimination in some of our policies
Feedback from our staff was the request for more Cultural Ambassadors and for their remit to expanded to all 9 protected characteristics.
Main duties of the job
The Cultural Inclusion Agent Role:
The Cultural Inclusion Agents (CIAs) role is a voluntary role within the Trust. They will provide independent support and guidance to investigating teams and disciplinary, grievance or interview panels, when they are investigating or considering allegations for staff who come under any of the 9 protected characteristics. The CIA will be a full member of the team involved in any of the above. The role of a CIA will be to identify and challenge any issues of less favorably treatment, discrimination and unconscious or conscious bias, which are observed during these formal processes, and ensure that they were taken into consideration in the decision-making process.
Working for our organisation
Benefits:
5. Build trust with our colleagues.
6. Issues of a cultural or Inclusion nature will be identified and challenged during the formal process.
7. Any acts of bias will be identified and challenged during the formal process.
8. The training and support of the CIA will equip them to carry out their role.
9. CIAs will be included and regarded as part of the investigation teams and grievance / disciplinary hearing and interview panels.
10. CIAs will experience the value of their role in influencing fairer outcomes for our staff.
11. Recruit and retain more staff.
12. Enhance the reputation of the Trust
What is on offer to you as a Cultural Inclusion Agent:
13. 4 half days virtual trainings with one of the days dedicated to role play in July and September 2023.
14. Bi-monthly meetings with local leads
15. Bi-monthly action learning sets with Cultural Inclusion Agents
16. Full evaluation
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Skills required by a Cultural Inclusion Agent:
17. Effective communication skills and able to influence and challenge in a diplomatic, or appreciative enquiry manner that is supportive of peers and colleagues
18. Be able to influence the promoting of good working practice and influence others
19. Strong analytical skills to review variety of data and develop range of options
20. A basic understanding of Equality and Human Rights legislation
21. Assertive, self-confident and self-motivated
22. To be solution focus in order to support peers and colleagues find satisfactory outcomes
23. Ability to provide accurate reports and keep confidential records
24. A working knowledge and understanding of the following policies: Bullying and HarassmentGrievance and Disciplinary policy and procedureEquality of Opportunity in EmploymentThe undertaking of Equality Analysis
Who can become a Cultural Inclusion Agent ?
Anyone who has a good understanding of equality, inclusion and cultural issues from an NHS or EEAST perspective.
Abstraction:
Before a decision is made to volunteer to train as a CIA, permission must be sought from the employee’s line manager. The total abstraction required for the training courses is 4 days. A CIA is required to be extremely flexible, as case assignments may be at short notice.
Employees interested in becoming a Cultural Inclusion Agent are required to complete an expression of interest form, which needs to be filled in by the employee and endorsed and signed by their manager. This will be provided separately once you have submitted your application via this advert.
References and Employment History: All references from current and previous employers, will be sought via their Human Resources Department and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and email address of the Human Resources Department and indicate your current/previous line manager and their departmental details.
All appointments will be subject to currently having a clean disciplinary record.
Please be advised that a No Smoking Policy is in operation throughout the Trust.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme - Under the Trust's commitment 'Positive about Disabled People', if you consider yourself as having a disability and you meet the minimum selection criteria for any post, you will get an automatic interview. By minimum selection criteria we mean that you must provide us with evidence in your application form which demonstrates the essential requirements as set out in the person specification and advertisement for a post.
We aim to represent and value the diversity of our local communities through our workforce and service provision. We therefore positively encourage applications, regardless of age, race, religion & belief, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity or disability.