As a local authority, Leicestershire County Council has both a legal and moral duty to demonstrate fairness of treatment to our residents, service users and employees. Promoting diversity, respect and equality of opportunity is at the heart of our vision and values as shown by our Stonewall Top 100, Disability Confident Level 2 and Mindful Employer accreditations.

We want to make sure that the services and facilities we provide meet the needs of our diverse population while also eliminating discrimination, harassment and victimisation. In this way, people within our workforce feel equally valued and supported and people within our local communities can be confident that the services they receive are inclusive and responsive. We do this by investing in staff training and development as well as supporting employees to balance their work life with other commitments.

So that our workforce actively reflects the communities we serve, the Council has four workers’ groups: the Black Workers’ Group; the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) Staff Network; the Disabled Workers’ Group; and a Staff Carers’ Group. The groups meet regularly as well as each holding an annual conference open to all members of staff so that they can:

• Support, empower and promote self-development
• Work towards our Council-wide equality aims
• Allow members to discuss any concerns or issues they may have
• Provide the opportunity to meet and network with colleagues from across the Council