Diversity and Inclusion

Shaw Trust is committed to a fully diverse and representative workforce, where diversity and inclusion is embedded in everything we undertake. The Shaw Trust Strategic Directive 2030 sets out a commitment to achieve the following:

No artificial barriers or ceilings to advancement whatever the individual’s background.
Positive action where appropriate to shape our workforce.
Creating safe spaces for anyone in our workforce – especially those with Protected Characteristics.

Shaw Trust is committed to ensuring that everything we do has a positive impact on the people that we support and that we close the gap in achievement and outcomes for disadvantaged or underrepresented groups.

To achieve these commitments, we have put the following measures in place:

Diversity and Inclusion Policy, which sets out our commitment to closing the gap in achievement and outcomes for staff and people that we support.
Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, which sets out how we will achieve these ambitions and commitments.
An ambitious five year Diversity and Inclusion Plan, which sets out the activities we will undertake to remove barriers and meet the commitments and ambitions outlined in the Strategic Directive, with a particular focus on:
- Improving the impact of the advice, guidance and support we provide to help people enter good quality employment, apprenticeships, education and training.
- Learning and development.
- Inclusive recruitment and selection practices.
- Targeted talent development activities.
  Adding Social Value to the communities where we work.

Progress reports are regularly provided to the Shaw Trust Board.

We champion Britain’s most influential disabled people and organisations through the Disability Power 100, an annual event we organise and host.

The campaign highlights role models, trailblazers and their achievements. It culminates in a purple carpet awards event celebrating and championing 100 of the UK’s talented disabled changemakers, organisations and campaigns. The 2023 celebration event was hosted by the Last Leg’s Alex Brooker, a member of the Disability Power 100 Hall of Fame, in Wembley.

The 2023 Top 10

1. Dr Shani Dhanda (winner of the Business and Finance category)
2. Victoria Jenkins (winner of the Visual Arts, Fashion and Design category)
3. Rosie Jones (winner of the Entertainment, Television, Radio, Theatre, Online category)
4. Professor Jason Arday (winner of the Education category)
5. Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP (winner of the Politics and Law category)
6. Amy Francis-Smith RIBA (winner of the Science and Engineering category)
7. John McFall FRCS (Ortho) (winner of the Sport category)
8. Celestine Fraser (winner of the Media and Publishing category)
9. Simon Sansome (winner of the Digital and Technology category)
10. Martin Hibbert (winner of the Community Advocate category)

To help us achieve our goals we have a number of networks for our colleagues to get involved with:

Diversity and Inclusion Working Group – which works collaboratively to ensure we are embedding best practice throughout the group and are on track to achieve our ambitious targets.
Staff Network Groups – including the Disabled Employee Network, Race Equality Network, LGBTQ+ network, Women’s network, MANaging network and more. These groups provide safe spaces for staff to share ideas, make suggestions and provide feedback on how our plans are working and our impact.
Diversity Calendar to celebrate and raise awareness about the lived experience of staff and people that we support.

For further information, please contact Michelle Jackson, Head of Diversity and Inclusion michelle.jackson@shaw-trust.org.uk.