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This toolkit summary is specifically for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), who plan and fund most NHS services in an area. Each ICB is responsible for EDI strategy and budget allocation. The Integrated Care System (ICS) was created to encourage collaboration, while assessing the needs of local communities. As a statutory body, ICBs have the opportunity to exemplify best practice; sharing EDI data and encouraging others within the healthcare sector to follow and take action. ICBs have a crucial role to play in promoting collaboration, coordination, and innovation on EDI best practice. One of the four key aims of the ICS is reported as ‘tackling inequalities in outcomes, experience and access’; this toolkit has been created to help provide tools and resources to reach this aim.

In London, there are five ICBs:

  • NHS North Central London ICB
  • NHS North East London ICB
  • NHS North West London ICB
  • NHS South East London ICB
  • NHS South West London ICB

Foundational: consider this action a priority and critical to success
Enhanced: this will help take your organisation’s EDI work to the next level

Action plan table for Health Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)
Action Steps to implementation Suggested responsibility Approximate timeframe required Foundational or Enhanced
Commitment and collaboration Appoint a board member as EDI lead ICB Board 1 - 3 months Foundational
  Discuss EDI initiatives with other ICBs and look to other sectors for adaptable EDI interventions EDI Board Lead / Organisational Development Lead / Partnership liaison  Ongoing Foundational
  Collect data on the diversity of your workforce and support and encourage organisations in your ICS to do so too HR Team / EDI Lead / EDI Board Lead Annually Foundational
  Embed workforce EDI, with a focus on the Priority Groups, as a key strategic priority for your ICB.  Leadership / EDI and ERG’s 1 - 3 months Foundational
  Collaborate with other healthcare organisations and trade unions on EDI guidance EDI Board Lead / Partnership or collaboration lead Ongoing Foundational
  Incorporate an EDI shadow board with representatives from the Priority Groups Board / EDI Lead Quarterly Enhanced
Engagement and recruitment Build a strategy to recruit diverse talent and support organisations in your ICS to build their own strategies Recruitment / EDI Board Lead Consistently Foundational
  Follow inclusive recruitment best practices for any jobs working within the ICB, and for  key strategic positions on the ICB Recruitment / Whole Board Consistently Foundational
  Invest in Cultural Awareness training for the ICB, particularly senior executives and recruitment teams Recruitment / HR Team Annually Foundational
  Ensure all staff are paid at least the London Living Wage (LLW) HR Team Consistently Foundational
  Run an annual recruitment drive in collaboration with organisations across your ICS focusing on awareness of non-clinical roles  Recruitment/ EDI Lead / Partnerships and Engagement Lead Annually Enhanced
Retention and progression Review your progression processes to eliminate bias HR Team with EDI Lead support Quarterly Foundational
  Organise regular check ins with employees Line Managers / HR Team / EDI Lead Quarterly Foundational
  Set up mentoring arrangements for employees from underrepresented groups HR Team / EDI Lead Annually Enhanced
  Run a returners’ programme for people who have taken a career break Organisational Development Quarterly Enhanced
Building an inclusive culture Review your employee policies to ensure they reflect EDI best practice HR Team / EDI Lead Annually Foundational
  Ensure your employees have access to (internal or external) HR Leadership Consistently Foundational
  Continue to discuss EDI and upskill your organisation on current and emerging EDI best practice Learning and Development team / EDI Lead Quarterly Foundational
  Ensure your team and social events are inclusive HR Team / EDI Lead Consistently Foundational
  Create a policy that addresses the inclusion of agency staff within the ICS and encourage organisations in you ICS to adopt the policy HR Team / Partnerships and Engagement Lead 1 month Foundational
  Support your employees to set up an Employee Resource Group (ERG) and encourage ERGs in your ICS to collaborate HR Team Quarterly Enhanced
Suppliers Encourage local minority-owned organisations to apply to be accredited NHS suppliers Operations / Procurement with support from EDI Lead Consistently Foundational
  Encourage existing suppliers to improve diversity in their organisations Procurement Consistently Enhanced
  Share best practice and encourage other organisations to diversify their supply chain HR / Comms / Procurement with EDI lead Consistently Enhanced

 

ICBs