Equity , diversity and belonging
Following extensive consultation and co-creation with members , staff and public contributors , RCOT has published its EDB Strategy . Here , we look at the strategic priorities , aims and actions and hear from some of those involved .
Equity , diversity and belonging
Feature
A bold and ambitious strategy
Following extensive consultation and co-creation with members , staff and public contributors , RCOT has published its EDB Strategy . Here , we look at the strategic priorities , aims and actions and hear from some of those involved .
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n 30 November , RCOT launched its Equity , Diversity and Belonging Strategy 2024-2027 , following extensive consultation over the summer . The strategy is bold and ambitious and recognises the challenge of becoming an anti-discriminatory and antiracist organisation ; an organisation that not only meets but exceeds our legal obligations and works hard to deliver our organisational values and professional standards .
Steve Ford , RCOT Chief Executive , says of the strategy ’ s launch : ‘ Occupational therapists help people of every race , gender , sexual orientation , age , religion , class and ability to do the things they need or want to do . Yet , as a profession , we don ’ t currently reflect the population we serve .
‘ Every experience of racism , discrimination and injustice is unacceptable and inexcusable . Yet our staff , members and learners continue to have negative experiences . Every voice has a right to be heard . Yet many in our profession remain unheard and under-represented .
‘ It ’ s clear that as an organisation , we ’ ve got things wrong in the past and that change has been slow in coming . We take responsibility for our part in the longstanding and perpetuated discrimination within the profession .
‘ We ’ ve got a long way to go . We might not always get it right . But we are committed to anti-racism and anti-discrimination in every context . Our EDB Strategy will guide us on our journey to creating a culture of authenticity and belonging , where everyone is welcomed , celebrated , supported , recognised and valued . Where everyone feels they belong as their true and authentic selves .
‘ Equity , diversity and belonging is all our responsibility . I promise to always champion equity , diversity and belonging , to oppose discrimination , and demonstrate effective allyship . Together , we ’ ll create an organisation and profession that we can all be proud of .’
You said , we did
Our members ’ voices are at the heart of the strategy . It was cocreated by members , staff and public contributors with direct experience of , or insights into , the discrimination and disadvantages faced by members and the communities and individuals they work with .
And it ’ s driven by these insights , together with current best practice and other contemporary factors , including legislation and our professional standards .
Over the summer , RCOT staff , members and stakeholders were invited to share their thoughts on the draft EDB Strategy through a consultation process led by an independent research partner Enventure .
We received over 1,500 responses to an anonymous online survey and additional feedback through five focus groups . Enventure analysed all the data and made a series of recommendations that shaped the final strategy , based on the feedback we received .
You told us to condense the number of aims in the strategy and consider creating a single list that covered all audiences and / or change the order of the aims , in terms of priority and clarity .
16 OTnews December 2023