Diversity strategy
The Children's Society's definition of Diversity
The Children's Society's Christian, social justice, child centred mission requires us to be an inclusive organisation. Our commitment to inclusion means that we positively embrace the diverse identities, histories, spiritual beliefs, abilities and lifestyles of the children and young people with whom we work, of our employees and volunteers, supporters, and the audiences to whom we speak. It means that we value the richness that each unique person brings to our work. Our success in being inclusive will result in The Children's Society being an organisation characterised by the diversity, and the sense of belonging, of the people who contribute to our mission.
Aims of the Diversity strategy
- To ensure that Diversity is encompassed in all areas of our work.
- To ensure that Diversity is reflected at all levels of our work, from Trustees to volunteers and supporters.
- To raise the profile of The Children's Society as a champion of Diversity.
- To create a leadership in The Children's Society that reflects and manages Diversity.
- To compliment both Church Partnership and Participation strategies.
- To ensure that all Children's Society staff, volunteers, supporters, children and young people understand and value.
- Diversity and responsibly put it into practice.
- To reinforce the business case and other practical benefits of Diversity within The Children's Society and to those outside.
Participation
This is key to the identity of The Children's Society, is itself an expression of diversity in terms of age. The children and young people with whom we work derive from a wide variety of backgrounds, ethnicity and cultural and religious heritage. In order to enable the participation strategy to be effective the organisation needs to reflect and to be able to embrace the diverse identities, histories, spiritual beliefs, abilities and lifestyles of the children and young people with whom we work and to provide forums, procedures and processes that are accessible to them.
Protecting the Minority
The Children's Society recognises that whilst Diversity is about valuing the many sorts of differences that exist between people, there are also some groups who are particularly marginalised, socially excluded and denied equal rights. Therefore the strategy will be sensitive to age, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, faith and disability whilst seeking to create an environment where all differences are respected and cherished, as this brings benefits for everyone in the organisation.
