Equality, diversity and inclusion

At CLCH, as an anchor organisation in society, we are proud of the diverse and committed workforce we employ. We are passionate about embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in all that we do and promote this through our "EDI Everyday" initiatives.

We are committed to having transparent, fair and equitable recruitment and selection processes in place and to ensuring that these are sufficiently robust to make sure that the employees we recruit are trustworthy and reliable.

All of our managers involved in recruitment undertake training to ensure we have an open and transparent recruitment process.

We strongly encourage applications from all sections of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people and members of our black and minority ethnic communities.

Employers who use Disability Confident Committed symbol have agreed with Jobcentre Plus that they will take action on these five commitments:

• To interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and consider them on their abilities.
• To ensure there is a mechanism in place to discuss, at any time, but at least once a year, with disabled employees what can be done to make sure they can develop and use their abilities
• To make every effort when employees become disabled to make sure they stay in employment
• To take action to ensure that all employees develop the appropriate level of disability awareness needed to make these commitments work
• Each year to review the five commitments and what has been achieved, plan ways to improve on them and let employees and Jobcentre Plus know about progress and future plans.

As part of the commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, we encourage the establishment of Staff Networks to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Through the staff networks, employees will be able to communicate and identify areas to enhance personal and professional development and provide feedback to the trust on strategies for engaging our diverse workforce. 

Staff can join the following networks at CLCH:

• Disability and Wellness Network
• Women's Network
• Faith and Belief Network
• Green Champion Network
• Men's Network
• Parents and Carers
• Race Equality Network
• Rainbow Network
• CLCH Cycle Network

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Membership

In 2023 the Trust launched the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative to improve the healthcare experience of staff, patients and members of the public with a non-visible disability. Staff across the Trust can take training to understand the meaning of the sunflower and how to respond to someone wearing a sunflower - whether this be a patient or colleague.

Business Disability Forum Member

In 2025 CLCH signed up to be a member of the Business Disability Forum which is a leading business membership organisation in helping to break down barriers in disability inclusion.

Bronze Stonewall Award 2024

In 2024 our Trust has achieved a silver accreditation for the work we are doing to support our LGBTQ+ staff to be themselves at work with initiatives including the option to add pronouns on staff intranet profiles, attendance at London Pride parade and a calendar of social events led by the Rainbow Staff Network.

Veteran Aware Accreditation

The Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) is a funded NHS programme established to ensure that all NHS healthcare providers achieve Veteran Aware accreditation by the end of 2023. Veteran Aware hospitals and trusts are exemplars of the best care for veterans in the NHS.

Pastoral Care Quality Award for international recruitment programme

This award recognises the incredible work being carried out at the Trust to ensure our colleagues receive enhanced and tailored pastoral care as they start their NHS journey and progress in their career.

In progress:

The Trust is working toward achieving Menopause Friendly Accreditation, as it continues to refine practices and awareness to support staff experiencing the menopause.

The Trust is also working towards gaining HIV Confident status, ensuring that people living with HIV enjoy working at CLCH and can access services and support the Trust provides with confidence.