The trust is committed to achieving the highest standards in equality, diversity, and inclusion, promoting the health and well-being of all our communities, as well as supporting people with compassion and kindness. Please refer to our Health and Wellbeing page for further information on Health and Wellbeing resources available.

We recognise that everyone is different, and we strive to respect and value those differences through inclusion.

We will treat people with dignity and respect regardless of age, sex, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage, civil partnership, race, culture, religion, belief, lack of religion, or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity, and any other minority characteristics.

Staff networks

Join one of our 10 staff networks and have the opportunity to make a positive impact in transforming Dorset HealthCare to become more inclusive. Our current networks include:

Admin Support Network

The Admin Support Network runs monthly meetings to discuss any extra support needed and speakers are invited to give wellbeing demonstrations and talks.

Multicultural Network

A safe space where staff can come together to find mutual support, discuss issues, and share experiences. This includes our international recruits group.

Carers Network (CAMEO – Carers All Meet Each Other)

A confidential, non-judgemental club that provides the chance to take time out to meet other carers, make new friendships, support each other, and not feel alone.

Faith and Spirituality Network

Provides support and a platform to connect for staff sharing an interest in spirituality, faith, and religion. It offers meetings with speakers and opportunities to catch up.

Hidden Abilities

A staff network that supports staff with a disability or disabilities. Rather than focusing on what people can’t do, it’s about recognising the unique skills and abilities that staff with a disability bring.

LGBT+

A network that supports staff and shares useful information as well as influencing Trust services, practices, and culture by removing inequalities to make the trust more inclusive for LGBT+ staff.

Parents’ Network

A network to support all staff who have parenting roles. Led by two parents working at the Trust who are passionate about parenting and supporting each other.

Women’s Network

A network to support women and promote initiatives about women’s health, wellbeing, equality, and career aspirations.

Menopause Peer Support Network

A network to support colleagues experiencing menopause and encourage conversations and education around this very important topic.

Healthcare Support Worker Network

Where healthcare support workers come together to find mutual support and share experiences.

Disability

This trust is a Disability Confident employer. As a Disability Confident employer, we have demonstrated the following:

• Actively attracting and recruiting disabled people to help fill our opportunities (including jobs, apprenticeships, internships, work experience)
• Providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process
• Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
• Being flexible when assessing people so disabled job applicants have the best opportunity to demonstrate that they can do the job
• Proactively offer and make reasonable adjustments as required
• Encouraging our suppliers and partner firms to be Disability Confident
• Ensuring employees have appropriate disability equality awareness

By being a Disability Confident employer, we are continuing our ongoing commitment to think differently about disability inclusion and taking action to improve how we recruit, retain, and develop disabled people.