Launch of equity, diversity and belonging strategy consultation

Work to develop the strategy began over a year ago in response to important issues highlighted by the Black Lives Matter movement and the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities. It is part of the CSP’s enduring commitment to oppose all forms of discrimination.

The draft document is a product of collaboration with CSP diversity networks, members, staff and stakeholders with direct experience of, or insights into, the discrimination and disadvantage faced by members and their patients, and has been overseen by Council.

The strategy seeks to recognise the importance of being an exemplar organisation and employer in achieving positive and lasting change for members and staff.

It includes broad aims which enable the strategy to evolve over time, includes outcomes with indicators which will be tracked annually, and intends to be reflective of intersectional issues.

CSP chief executive Karen Middleton said: 'After so much thought and consideration, I am proud that we are now sharing with you our draft equity, diversity and belonging strategy.

We will use [the strategy] to guide our work going forwards and I want CSP members and staff to embody its principles and aims

'It will not be a document that is signed off and then discarded. It will be used practically as part of our absolute commitment to supporting equity, diversity and belonging while opposing all forms of discrimination.

'We aim to be actively anti-racist and pro-diversity. And we need your help in this consultation to make sure we get the foundations right for the work that lies ahead.'

Achieving equity and a sense of belonging

Previously referred to as the equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, our aims show an ambition to go beyond the legal minimum and as such we aim to achieve equity rather than equality.

We also aim to achieve a sense of belonging for members and employees with differing backgrounds and experiences, rather than just including them.

We are inviting you to read the draft strategy and respond to the consultation by completing a short, five-minute online survey run by independent agency Enventure.

All members will receive an emailed link to complete the survey and further details about how they can take part in the consultation, including how to volunteer for online discussion groups on how easy the strategy is to understand.

Doreen Caesar, a convenor of the BAME network, said: 'The strategy has been drafted through careful collaboration.

'Its implementation should see members feeling a sense of belonging, identifying with the CSP's leadership and aspiring to take the profession to the next level.'

Improving the working lives of members and the quality of patient care

Sudhir Daya, convenor of the LGBTQIA+ network, said: 'Many of our colleagues, and especially those from the diversity networks, have volunteered their valuable time and effort to help shape the draft strategy.

'We hope it will improve our working lives in the physiotherapy profession and make it more welcoming - especially for members with protected characteristics - and leads to improvements in the quality of care we give to our patients and clients.

I look forward to the CSP being at the forefront of equity, diversity and belonging