Diversity in decision making: “I value having a voice at the table”
Our Trust is made up of more than 2,500 staff with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. We know that diverse teams make better decisions, and by encouraging views from our colleagues we bring rich and different perspectives to decision making.
Two years ago we launched our Diversity in Decision Making programme with the aim of increasing diversity on our senior committees to ensure that all of our staff groups have influence over decisions that affect them – this is particularly important for our black, Asian, ethnic minority, Deaf and disabled colleagues.
A group of seven staff with protected characteristics were appointed to various Trust Board or senior level committees and were invited to be part of our Executive Advisory Group that advises our Chief Executive and Executive Directors about future decision making for the Trust.
Nisha Proietti, Deputy Senior Employment Advisor at Sutton Talking Therapies, Jeremy Coutinho, Recovery College Manager, and Ijeoma Ndubuisi, Learning Disability and Autism Lead Nurse, all signed up to be Diversity in Decision Making (DiDM) representatives.
Asked what he enjoys most about the role, Jeremy said: “The best bit is trying to think differently about what they [the committee] are doing and asking questions to enable them to see things from a different perspective. I was involved in the People Committee (HR and organisational development), and I was impressed by their openness and honesty and willingness to listen and rethink, particularly from the top of HR!”
For Nisha, the most rewarding part of the role has been having her voice heard and learning more about how decisions are made:
I value the transparency during each meeting and having not only a seat but a voice at the table which is heard. It’s improved my confidence. It’s also helped me to understand how decisions are made and given me an opportunity to see the dedicated work that goes on behind the scenes to develop and improve our services.
As part of our Executive Advisory Group, Ijeoma has also enjoyed seeing first-hand how decisions are made: “It’s been great observing inclusivity in action during the meetings. The huge effort that goes into the various reports and proposals submitted is evident, and I have been really impressed by the grace and professionalism with which the authors and sponsors of the reports respond to scrutiny. Contributions and comments from everyone are duly and respectfully considered which has made me feel confident and comfortable to participate.”
Ijeoma continued: “I chose to take part in the programme to ensure that matters relating to intellectual learning disabilities and autism are being considered. I also wanted to broaden my knowledge and understanding of what we do as a Trust, how we do it and who does what. Being a part of the DiDM programme has definitely given me a sense of belonging at the Trust.”
Nisha’s advice to anyone considering taking part in the programme is to ‘go for it!’. “It really is a great opportunity to be involved in something different. The role will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of how decisions are made in the Trust. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle and you get to see all the pieces come together.”
Jeremy added: “One of my initial fears was that I was only there to give the perspective of a man of Indian heritage – it is DiDM after all. But I’ve been able to draw on and use a diverse range of experiences gained throughout my life. The committees I’ve been involved with have valued hearing perspectives from the ‘floor’ and the people who have to deliver projects planned by others, particularly when it raises issues that had not been understood or planned for.”
