Cultural Inclusion Agents

CIA

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 new Cultural Inclusion Agents will provide the Trust with an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to staff with any of the 9 protected characteristics.

The case for Change:

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.

  • Inappropriate language being used
  • A lack of cultural awareness, ignorance pertaining to cultural differences
  • Inappropriate leadership behaviours by line managers
  • Possible direct and/or indirect discrimination in some of our policies

Feedback from our staff was the request for more Cultural Ambassadors and for their remit to expanded to all 9 protected characteristics.

The Cultural Inclusion Agent Role:

The Cultural Inclusion Agents (CIAs) role is a voluntary role within the Trust.  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.

Benefits:

  • Build trust with our colleagues.
  • Issues of a cultural or Inclusion nature will be identified and challenged during the formal process.
  • Any acts of bias will be identified and challenged during the formal process.
  • The training and support of the CIA will equip them to carry out their role.
  • CIAs will be included and regarded as part of the investigation teams and grievance / disciplinary hearing and interview panels.
  • CIAs will experience the value of their role in influencing fairer outcomes for our staff.
  • Recruit and retain more staff.
  • Enhance the reputation of the Trust.

What is on offer to you as a Cultural Inclusion Agent:

  • 4 half days virtual trainings with one of the days dedicated to role play in July and September 2023.
  • Bi-monthly meetings with local leads
  • Bi-monthly action learning sets with Cultural Inclusion Agents
  • Full evaluation

First cohort of 15 staff in July 2023:

  • 11th July 09.00 – 12.30
  • 12th July 09.00 – 12.30
  • 13th July 09.00 – 12.30
  • 14th July 09.00 – 12.30

Second cohort of 15 staff in September 2023:

  • 26th Sept 09.00 – 12.30
  • 27th Sept 09.00 – 12.30
  • 28th Sept 09.00 – 12.30
  • 29th Sept 09.00 – 12.30

Skills required by a Cultural Inclusion Agent:

  • Effective communication skills and able to influence and challenge in a diplomatic, or appreciative enquiry manner that is supportive of peers and colleagues
  • Be able to influence the promoting of good working practice and influence others
  • Strong analytical skills to review variety of data and develop range of options
  • A basic understanding of Equality and Human Rights legislation
  • Assertive, self-confident and self-motivated
  • To be solution focus in order to support peers and colleagues find satisfactory outcomes
  • Ability to provide accurate reports and keep confidential records
  • A working knowledge and understanding of the following policies:
    • Bullying and Harassment
    • Grievance and Disciplinary policy and procedure
    • Equality of Opportunity in Employment
    • The undertaking of Equality Analysis

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 26th May 2023