West Sussex County Council employees receiving Best Equality and Inclusion Employer Award from Daliso Chaponda, comedian (left) and Che Kwon, programme manager from North Northamptonshire Council (right) for their advance and inclusive recruitment practice.
West Sussex County Council’s Public Health Team has been awarded the ‘Best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Employer’ title at the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Workforce Awards 2024, in recognition of their innovative approach to inclusive recruitment. The award highlights the team’s commitment to recruiting staff from diverse backgrounds and fostering an inclusive workforce.
The team’s efforts to enhance diversity through recruitment practices were praised during the live judging panel, where their focus on celebrating cultural diversity, listening to staff needs, and integrating supportive practices into their operations were also acknowledged.
A key initiative launched in 2023, supported by the Council’s Human Resources team, aimed to recruit two Graduate Public Health Practitioners, with funding from NHS England. This initiative specifically targeted local individuals from diverse backgrounds who hold public health-related qualifications, offering them an opportunity to enter the workforce and contribute to public health services.
Lovelyn Okwara, a graduate trainee at West Sussex County Council, reflected on the support she has received, noting, “My line manager linked me to a mentor from the same ethnic background who has been supporting my personal and professional growth. This has been incredibly important for me as a graduate trainee and has helped me understand cultural differences, turning them into strengths.”
In addition to the ‘Best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Employer’ award, the Public Health team was shortlisted for three other awards: Best Innovation in Recruitment, Best Innovation in Retention, and Best Next Generation Employer.
Councillor Bob Lanzer, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, expressed his pride in the team’s recognition, stating, “I am delighted that our Public Health team has received such worthy recognition. Our commitment to inclusivity not only strengthens our workforce but also enhances our ability to deliver effective public health services.”
Councillor Steve Waight, Cabinet Member for Support Services, added, “Supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce is at the heart of what we do. The great work undertaken with our Public Health and Human Resources teams demonstrates our dedication to being an employer that champions equality, diversity, and inclusion. We look forward to continuing this important work and making further improvements across the council.”