Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 18 May 2024 at 13:36
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 Cultural Inclusion Agents (CIAs) role is a voluntary role within the Trust. It is a role for staff from all backgrounds. 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.
The Cultural Inclusion Agent Role: apply now
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.
Feedback from our staff was the request for more Cultural Ambassadors and for their remit to expanded to all 9 protected characteristics.
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 in either July or September this year. 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 here which needs to be filled in by the employee and endorsed and signed by their manager.
Published 20th July 2023