Cultural diversity

"Stoke-on-Trent’s cultural diversity is one of the main reasons that it is such a vibrant and unique city. As an employer, Stoke-on-Trent City Council is committed to advancing our equality and diversity objectives. We recognise the value a diverse workforce offers, and by embracing diversity we allow ourselves to recruit from the widest talent pool, encouraging innovation and high performance. We want the workforce to reflect the diversity of the city, to be an employer that all staff can be proud of. We are committed to creating a culture where staff are valued and supported, a culture that is truly inclusive."

-Jon Rouse CBE, Chief Executive

Vibrancy and diversity are two of Stoke-on-Trent’s greatest assets. A city founded on creative endeavour should value and celebrate the multitude of voices, ideas and identities that shape its culture. We are committed to creating a culture which is truly inclusive; a culture where all staff feel valued, listened to, supported and able to work to the best of their abilities at all times. Equally, we must ensure that our decisions and policies nurture and empower communities across our city and do not inadvertently disadvantage groups and individuals that we want to help to thrive.

Our approach to equality and diversity is an invitation to all our communities to work with and for us, so we can continue to improve how we deliver the services residents need.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and currently have the following staff networks in place:

  • LGBTQIA+ Network
  • Ethnically Diverse Staff Network
  • (dis)ability Network
  • Early Careers Network
  • Menopause Network

 

Our employee networks are inclusive, open forums for colleagues with similar lived experiences. They allow staff to meet, support and mentor each other. They provide a voice for under-represented groups to advise and support the organisation when developing policies and services.

Disability Confident

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is a level two disability confident employer, supporting people with disabilities in the workplace and providing relevant training to staff and managers. We have been working with registered charity Landau on how we can better meet the workplace needs of employees and job candidates with physical and learning disabilities. Stoke-on-Trent City Council has signed up to Landau’s ‘We See You’ workplace pledge, which is aimed at improving workplace diversity and inclusion in relation to people with disabilities. We are striving to become a level three disability confident employer and lead by example to support local employers to do the same for their employees.

Race at Work Charter

We are signatory of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. We know that ethnic minorities still face significant disparities in employment and progression, and that is something we need to change. The charter is composed of seven calls to action for leaders and organisations across all sectors. We signed up to taking practical steps to ensure we are tackling barriers that Black, Asian, mixed race and other ethnically diverse colleagues face in recruitment and progression and that our organisation is representative of the community it serves.

Fostering Friendly

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is a Fostering Friendly employer, and in 2022 received the Fostering Friendly Employer of the Year award. Fostering Friendly is a scheme created by The Fostering Network, the UK’s leading fostering charity. The scheme supports employers to implement a policy which promotes fostering and supports their foster carer employees. We have also been working hard over the last year to encourage major local employers to join in pledging support for children in care in the city.

Armed Forces Covenant

The city council has signed the Armed Forces Covenant and is committed to supporting Military Reservists. It recognises the vital role they play as part of UK Armed Forces. We also recognise the contribution that members of the Armed Forces community can make to our organisation. Our support as an employer for the Armed Forces has been recognised with a Ministry of Defence employer recognition scheme gold award.