Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are proud to be here for the people of Somerset, and that means everyone in Somerset.

We champion inclusion

When you start working with us, we will ask you to complete half a day of equal opportunities training. We also have a number of policies and initiatives in place to support our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Our support networks include:

Equality and Diversity Forum

Disability Network

Neurodiversity Network

RISE Network

A space for everyone

This network is open to all employees to discuss anything and everything equality and diversity related.

Support for those with disabilities

The Disability Network provides an opportunity for employees who have a range of disabilities to celebrate difference, support one another, and raise awareness of support.

Celebrating different minds

The Neurodiversity Network provides an opportunity for employees who are neurodivergent (ADHD, Autism, Brain Injuries, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia, Epilepsy etc) to celebrate difference, support one another, and raise awareness of support channels.

Race Inclusion Supporting Equality

The RISE Network is for ethnic minority employees providing an opportunity to celebrate key events, be a voice for change, support one another, and socialise.

Rainbow Network

Women's Network

Men's Network

Parenting Network

Support for the LGBTQIA+ community

The Rainbow Network provides an opportunity for employees who are LGBTQIA+ , as well as allies, to celebrate difference, socialise, support one another, and raise awareness of key issues.

Support for women

The Women’s Network provides an opportunity for female employees to celebrate key dates, support one another, and raise awareness of external support. This network includes the ever popular Menopause Café.

Support for men

The Men’s Network aims to help get men talking. They offer an open, welcoming group where men can share their feelings in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.

Support for parents

The Parenting Network provides an opportunity for employees who have parenting responsibilities to support one another and raise awareness of internal and external support.

Armed Forces Network

Carers Network

Christian Network

Young Employee Network

Support for veterans

The Armed Forces Network provides an opportunity for veterans, reservists, and partners or dependants to celebrate key events, support one another, socialise, and raise funds for armed forces charities.

Support for carers

The Carers Network provides an opportunity for employees who have caring responsibilities (no matter how big or how small) to support one another and raise awareness of support channels.

Pray together

The Christian Network has been meeting to pray together each week for over 50 years. Gathered from a variety of Church backgrounds this network meets not only to pray but to connect and support one another.

Support for those aged 16 to 26

A platform for young employees to connect, share experiences, and contribute to the development of the Council. Offering a space to enhance professional skills, provide peer support, and network.

Disability Confident Leader

We have recently gained accreditation as a Disability Confident Leader. This means that we strive to provide exceptional support to our disabled colleagues throughout their employment. Having said this, gaining the accreditation is not an end point. We know that we need to continue to work with our colleagues, external groups, and members of the public to best support and include disabled colleagues throughout their employment.

We have a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled candidates, this means that we offer interviews to all candidates declaring a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role. We also offer reasonable adjustments at interview stage as well as throughout employment. If you would benefit from reasonable adjustments for your interview with us, please let us know on the application and we will contact you to discuss this ahead of any interview.

Disabled candidates that secure a role with us will be supported by their line manager and the equalities team (as required) to make sure that reasonable adjustments are in place to support them in their role. The colleague may choose to join the Employee Disability Network which provides an opportunity for networking, celebrating difference, and offering support. We are aware that disabilities can change and as such support is available throughout a colleagues employment so that adjustments can be made as required.

We are a Fostering Friendly organisation

As an official Foster Friendly Organisation, we recognise and support the responsibilities of Foster Carers and Approved Kinship Carers. Approved Kinship Carers are now specifically referenced within our Fostering Policy. This means that if you have this arrangement, you can benefit from paid time off to settle the child and attend Social Care meetings, in the same way that Foster Carers already do. Like other parents, Kinship and Foster Carers are also eligible to take unpaid time off to deal with emergencies of those in their care.

Find out more about Fostering in Somerset

Guaranteed interview schemes

Veterans

As part of our commitment to the Veteran community, we are really pleased to offer a Veterans Guaranteed Interview Scheme. This means if you are a Veteran, or the partner of a serving person or Veteran – including bereaved, who has been in service in the last five years, you will be guaranteed an interview if you apply and meet the essential criteria for the job.

As an official signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, we recognise the valuable transferable skills veterans bring, and want to support ex-service personnel to access our employment opportunities. The scheme also includes the partners of serving and ex service personnel as we recognise that service life can bring regular moves and interrupt their job prospects.

We also offer support and additional time off to attend training for colleagues who are armed forces reservists.

Care leavers

As part of our commitment to the care leaver community, we are proud to offer a Care Leaver Guaranteed Interview Scheme for all care leavers of any age, where the essential criteria of a role are met.