Job summary The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion lead, will provide strategic vision and direction for a comprehensive employee facing strategy designed to engage employees in advancing the principles and impact of equity for all in the workplace. The post holder will be a thought leader in this space, ensuring that current best practice approaches are adopted and applied across the Trust and will develop and deliver an inclusion strategy that reflects the needs and current level of Trust maturity. The strategy will align to the overarching People Plan but where appropriate, influenced regionally and nationally through recognised NHS programmes and emerging guidance (e.g. NHS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Improvement plan and associated 6 high impact actions). The lead will deliver against all regulatory requirements under the Public Sector Equality Duty and will develop action plans to address any areas of disparity in the Trust that arise out of data As a member of the senior management team, this role provides specialist guidance and support to managers and colleagues on EDI projects that align with the Trust's overarching strategy. Main duties of the job o Ensure the Trust is complaint and fulfils its obligations in respect of: o CQC o Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) o Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES) o Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) o Equality Delivery Standard (EDS) o Gender pay gap reporting (plus any subsequent asks for ethnicity and disability pay gap) o Trust annual report and Equality and Human Rights Report o NHS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Improvement plan (and associated 6 high impact actions). o Modern Slavery statement o Freedom of Information requests To forge effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders Present complex and potentially contentious information to senior groups of staff and other key stakeholders professionally To engage external organisations and institutions, ensuring the Trust is presented as a progressive employer in respect of inclusion within the workplace To manage and support Staff Network Leads About us Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community services for East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). Our services include planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care, child health, maternity, and intermediate care across Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford. Through our community arm, Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, we deliver extensive services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With 500 beds and around 5,500 staff, we are one of the area's largest employers. Since the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust has become a key partner in Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester and in two provider collaboratives, aligning our strategic goals with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System. As part of the national New Hospital Programme, we're reimagining Leighton Hospital to create a new health and care neighbourhood, transforming healthcare delivery for a Healthier Future. Learn more on our Healthier Futures website. At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest. Date posted 13 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £53,755 to £60,504 a year Per Annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working Reference number 412-CORP-7050487 Job locations Infinity House Mallard Way Crewe CW1 6ZQ Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached job description Ensure the Trust is complaint and fulfils its obligations in respect of Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached job description Ensure the Trust is complaint and fulfils its obligations in respect of Person Specification Qualifications Essential Masters Degree or equivalent Experience Skills Essential Excellent written and verbal communication skills, dealing with individuals and groups Knowledge Essential Expert & Up to date knowledge of equalities legistation Person Specification Qualifications Essential Masters Degree or equivalent Experience Skills Essential Excellent written and verbal communication skills, dealing with individuals and groups Knowledge Essential Expert & Up to date knowledge of equalities legistation Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Infinity House Mallard Way Crewe CW1 6ZQ Employer's website https://www.mcht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)