Staff Forums and Networks

NHS Lincolnshire ICB Equality Forum

The new NHS Lincolnshire ICB Equality Forum is set up to support the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Equality Inclusion and Human Rights (EIHR) work within the ICB.

Objectives

The Equality Forum:-

  • Acts as an internal staff communication and consultation network to support and drive the EIHR agenda
  • Supports the development and implementation of actions to deliver the objectives of the ICB EIHR strategy and action plan
  • Reviews, monitors and reports on the outcomes of EIHR actions in line with the strategy, and action plan and EDS outcomes
  • Supports and monitors HR related work around WRES, WDES, and GPG reporting and setting actions
  • Encourages the mainstreaming of EIHR initiatives into different service areas and activities of the ICB
  • Provides guidance around engagement related EIHR work
  • Enables cascading and communication of information to ICB teams, their providers, stakeholders and diverse communities.

Membership

  • Senior managers/staff representation
  • Staff responsible for EIHR, Comms and Engagement and Human Resources
  • Provider organisation representatives including ULHT, LPFT and LCHS

Frequency of meetings and duration

The meetings will take place on a bi-monthly basis, with the option to have additional meetings to discuss and agree urgent priorities as they may arise.

  • Equality Forum Terms of Reference

    AIM

    The NHS Lincolnshire ICB (LICB) Equality Forum is set up to support the development, implementation, monitoring and review of Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights (EIHR) work within the ICB and support Lincolnshire system providers with the development and delivery of initiatives to ensure compliance with equality legislation and national frameworks.

    OBJECTIVES

    The Equality Forum: -

    • Acts as an internal staff communication and consultation network to support and drive the EIHR agenda
    • Provides advice to leaders on embedding EIHR into ICB strategic and operational activities 
    • Supports the development and implementation of actions to deliver EIHR initiatives within the ICB
    • Reviews, monitors and reports on the outcomes of EIHR actions in line with the LICB objectives, strategy and action plan
    • Supports and monitors HR related work around WRES, WDES, and GPG reporting, setting actions and implementation
    • Encourages the mainstreaming of EIHR initiatives into different service areas and activities of LICB
    • Provides guidance around engagement related EIHR work e.g., the promotion health campaigns to diverse staff/communities
    • Offers a platform for providers to share information and data, raise issues and concerns around risks related to their achievement of standards and discuss joint initiatives
    • Enables cascading and communication of information to ICB teams, its providers, stakeholders and diverse communities.

    FORMAT OF MEETINGS

    LICB business: ICB staff have an opportunity to share updates, provide feedback on action plan initiatives and monitor EIHR work and compliance with standards.

    System Providers: Providers are invited to attend and present key information/data on priority issues and discuss collaborative areas of work. This allows opportunity for dialogue to be created with Providers to enable ICB staff to support priority areas of work and review compliance on standards.

    EQUALITY FORUM MEMBERSHIP AND ROLES

    EF Role

    Who

    Description

    ICB Equality Champion:

    Director of Nursing and Quality

    Lead officer for Equalities and Human Rights.

    Non-executive lead

    TBC

    Provide challenge to the forum to ensure appropriate progress and direction around equalities issues.

    Chair

    Associate Director of Nursing or Deputy Chief Nurse

    Senior manager responsible for overseeing progress in relation to actions and initiatives.

    Ensuring compliance with equality standards.

    Deputy Chair

    EIHR Lead/ICB senior manager

    Responsible for overseeing progress in relation to actions and initiatives in the absence of the Chair.

    Ensuring compliance with equality standards.

    Secretary

    Quality Administrator

    Provide administrative duties to the Forum.

    Advisers

    EIHR leads

    Act as advisers to the ICB and support the development and implementation of the equality actions and initiatives.

    Provide updates and ongoing advice on workforce related issues.

    LICB Staff membership

    HR

    Quality

    Comms and Engagement

    Clinical Lead

    Provide updates and ongoing advice on comms and engagement related issues, health campaigns and staff/patient surveys and questionnaires.

    External membership

    Lincolnshire Health Providers

    Share information and data, raise issues and concerns around risks related to their achievement of standards and discuss/work on joint initiatives.

    FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS AND DURATION

    The two-hour meetings take place on a bi-monthly basis, with the option to have additional meetings to discuss and agree urgent priorities as they may arise.  

    SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT MEETING OUTCOMES/ACTIONS ACHIEVED

    Following each meeting a highlight report will be written for SMODG (Senior Management Operational Group) and regular updates will be given in the ICB staff bulletin and any submission requiring executive sign off will go to the ICB Executive meeting.

    CODE OF CONDUCT

    Members are expected to adhere to the following behaviours: -

    • Listen to each other
    • Be open – within respectful boundaries
    • Share, issues and concerns
    • Be supportive
    • Be on time
    • Contribute thoughts and ideas
    • Adhere to confidentially

    Members are expected to abide by the principles of Fairness, Respect, Equality, Dignity and Autonomy (FREDA principles) when conducting their work and making decisions on behalf of the ICB through the Equality Forum. 

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