Staff Networks

Please include the following information for 2020/22, 2022/23, 2023/24:

• A list of all the staff networks at the trust

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Staff Network (BAME); Staff Women’s Network; Staff Disability and Wellbeing Network (DAWN); LGBTQIA Staff Network; Faiths and Beliefs Staff Network (FaBs); Armed Forces Network.  We also have an informal forum for Neurodivergent Staff

• Whether each network receives funding from the trust and, if so, how much (please express annually for the last three financial years)

The Networks receive no regular funding from the Trust. Funding has been provided for Black History Month in 2022 and 2023, budgeted at £2,000 in both years.

• How much FTE equivalent staff time each network is entitled to. For example, a staff network may have a chair who’s entitled to spend 10% of their working hours devoted to the network (please express annually for the last three financial years)

Currently there is no agreement on entitled time from working hours.  Staff are required to use their professional judgement to balance their network roles with the needs of meeting their operational duties.

• A list of events that each network has held in this financial year so far (April to the present day), including the title of the event, information on any guest speakers and the time of the event
  • BAME Network members supported Filipino staff (May 2024) and Nigerian Staff (September 2024) with cultural showcase events
  • DAWN organised a staff event to launch the Trust’s Disability and Health Passport (August 2024)
  • The LGBTQIA Network promoted participation in Medway Pride
  • The Armed Forces Network and FaBs, in collaboration with the Chaplaincy Team) have arranged a public act of remembrance for Remembrance Day (11 November)