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Equality, Diversity & Inclusion SIG

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion SIG was established in September 2020 at the Faculty’s anti-racism event. The group is chaired by Justin Varney, with Denise Blair serving as the Vice-Chair. The Chair and Vice Chair can be reached at EDSIG@fph.org.uk. The SIG reports to the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

The SIG aims to ensure fairness and diversity in recruitment to the training scheme in the belief that a diverse workforce is a better workforce.

Membership

We welcome any members who are interested in equality, diversity and inclusion or simply want to gain a better understanding of the issues.

FPH members can join this SIG by logging into their FPH members’ portal account, selecting the ‘Committees/SIGs’ button and choosing the correct SIG. You will then be asked to provide a few details, following which your application will be automatically approved. Further details on FPH membership are available here.

Useful documents and resources

Webinar recordings

Faculty members can visit the FPH Members Portal to watch webinar recordings in the resources section.

Workplan

Activity: Design and implement an audit to assess workforce progression, representation, and barriers to achievements among Local Authority public health practitioners working within Public Health teams.  

Outcome:

  • Comprehensive data on Public Health Practitioner workforce demographics and progression pathways collected and analysed.
  • A report showing a clear understanding of any disparities in progression and representation and shared with stakeholders.  

Target date:

  • October 2026 
  • December 2026 

Named lead: EDI SIG Chairs and EDI SIG Workforce Leads

Progress to date: Outline Plan has been developed. Next step setting up a task and finish group. 

Outputs:

  • A detailed audit report highlighting key findings, disparities and practical recommendations.
  • A presentation of findings at EDI Committee 

Activity: Design and implement an audit to assess workforce progression, representation, and barriers to achievements among Local Authority Public Health Consultants. 

Outcome:

  • Comprehensive data on Public Health Consultant workforce demographics and progression pathways collected and analysed.
  • A report showing a clear understanding of any disparities in progression and representation and shared with stakeholders.  

Target date:

  • October 2026 
  • December 2026

Named lead: EDI SIG Chairs and EDI SIG Workforce Leads

Progress to date: Outline Plan has been developed. Next step setting up a task and finish group. 

Outputs:

  • A detailed audit report highlighting key findings, disparities and practical recommendations.
  • A presentation of findings at EDI Committee.

Activity: Deliver role model profiles of diverse public health professionals this may be via the fireside chats or creation of additional online profiles. 

Outcome:

  • Increase the visibility of diverse leaders and career pathways within Public Health.
  • Growing engagement with EDI SIG. 

Target date: July 2026

Named lead: EDI SIG Chairs and EDI SIG Workforce Leads

Progress to date: Explored a range of role model profiles that are currently available. 

Outputs:

  • Fireside chats
  • Role model profiles available online

Activity: Collaborate with the Faculty in implementing recommendations from the Leaky Pipeline review and Fair Training Strategy.

Outcome: Practical recommendations or actions developed to address identified differential attainment and inequities in training and assessment. 

Target date: June 2026

Named lead: EDI SIG Chairs 

Progress to date: EDI SIG Vice Chair member of the Fair Training Task and Finish Group. 

Outputs: Participation in the Fair Training Task and Finish group meetings and consultation

Activity: Evidence briefing on inequalities experienced by trans and non-binary people and public health

Outcome:

  • A clear, accessible briefing that is endorsed that can be used to inform policy, commissioning, training and practice.
  • Positive feedback from community stakeholders on accuracy, tone and usefulness. 

Target date: June 2026 

Named lead: EDI SIG Chairs and EDI SIG Policy Leads 

Progress to date: TBC

Outputs:

  • Evidence briefing (10 – 12 pages)
  • Slide deck 

Activity: Collaborate with the Faculty to review the Public Health Training Curriculum through an equity, diversity and inclusion lens. 

Outcome:

  • EDI SIG recommendations are reflected in the revised Public Health Curriculum.
  • Improved integration of EDI principles across learning outcomes, competencies and assessment criteria. 

Target date: March 2026 

Named lead: EDI SIG Chairs 

Progress to date: Planned attendance at Curriculum review workshop planning meeting and workshop. 

Outputs: Updated Public Health training curriculum 

Activity: Collaborate with other Faculty Special Interest Groups to co-develop a shared glossary of key EDI terms.

Outcome: A clear, accurate and widely adopted EDI glossary is published.

Target date: November 2026

Named lead: EDI SIG Chairs and EDI SIG Policy Leads

Progress to date: TBC

Outputs: Comprehensive glossary document 

Activity: Partner with other Faculty SIG to co-design and deliver a webinar exploring a shared EDI theme relevant to multiple areas of Public Health practice. 

Outcome: Two well attended webinars co-hosted with other SIGs. 
Strengthening relationships between SIGs.

Target date: April 2026

Named lead: EDI SIG Chairs

Progress to date: Planned webinar with Healthy Places SIG. Healthy Places; Disability Inclusion by design

Outputs: 2 Joint webinar events delivered 

Become a Member

Become a Member

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