BBC Northern Ireland Equality and Diversity Action Plan April 2015 Sept 2016 Introduction The BBC NI Diversity action plan is designed to assess and monitor the progress being made against the set targets and to identify and implement processes to make the achievements of the targets a reality. It builds on the work achieved in the 13/14 Diversity Action Plan and places the focus on pro activity in our approach to diversity. BBC NI will continue to work with partners to inform, select, train and retain staff with a disability and from diverse backgrounds to improve its staffing figures in all areas. Key contacts: Head of TV Commissioning BBC NI; Manager; Lead Business Partner; Information & Policy Advisor; Broadcast Engineer; Editor Radio Ulster, Audience and Strategy Manager Page 1 of 7
EQUALITY OBJECTIVE: Achieve systematic and consistent consideration of equality and diversity within BBC planning and review processes, and meet our public purposes and duties 1 Diversity objective to be set for each Senior Manager in BBC NI Director, BBC NI Amber Encourage all staff to complete Out of the Box module Diversity Group Green - This course has been promoted in BBC Connect and BBC NI Leadership group have been asked to encourage their teams to complete. Course on unconscious Bias to be scheduled for NI Senior Managers June 2014 Green - This course has been delivered to all Senior Managers Roll out course on unconscious bias to rest of the Leadership group in BBC NI T&D Sept 2015 Green Diversity Awareness Training 27 February 2014 Green - Diversity Training for a cross section of line managers as part of reflect and represent week Page 2 of 7
Update BBC NI s intranet site to incorporate diversity pages, and include short form videos Internal Comms Amber Provide regular diversity updates for staff using various communication channels e.g. intranet, digital signage, learning lunches, information sessions linked to pan BBC initiatives such as the research carried out on portrayal. Internal Comms Red Page 3 of 7
EQUALITY OBJECTIVE: Connect with our audiences, including our underserved audiences, using different methods to inform the quality and direction of our content Continue to grow the ongoing, two-way relationship with Employers for Disability. BBC Representative on Board of EFD and a range of seminars attended Green - Mental Health Seminars delivered in BBC NI on March 27 th by Employers for Disability. Build relationship with Diversity Company Business in the Community. BBC NI Rep has met with BITC and they are in the process of drawing up Diversity awareness & skills training forums. Amber - BITC have agreed to run a diversity course for BBC NI Commissioning and making use of research that assists programme-makers understanding of local communities and their diversity. MC&A Green - On-going research by the Audience research team. In NI. Page 4 of 7
EQUALITY OBJECTIVE: Deliver high quality programming which reflects modern Britain accurately and authentically Reflect the Make-up of NI across our output in terms of ethnicity / disability / geography / class / gender / faith / age / language and sexuality. Improve our ability to represent minority communities on air. Head of TV Amber BBC NI is Participating in the Elev8 scheme and will and promote opportunities for disabled staff as part of this BBC Radio Ulster plans to run a special week/season in late summer about diversity in NI the different communities that make up the new NI Head of TV Head of Radio Green Diversity Group made up of key individuals invited by Director BBC NI meet regularly Head of TV Made up of: Susan Lovell (Head of TV BB NI), Sara-Jane Mulholland (Lead Business Partner), Susan McConnell (T&D Partner), Paul Mulligan (Internal Comms Manager) and Deirdre Devlin (Exec Producer) Page 5 of 7
EQUALITY OBJECTIVE: Build in accessibility from the start when developing new products and services, and ensuring sustainable and ongoing accessibility All BBC Buildings have been subject to a Disability Access Survey BBC Workplace & Facilities On-going Green Member of BBC Access Group Amber - In Liaison with BBC Access we are running training for line managers on April 29 th on how to deal with disabled staff. I Page 6 of 7
EQUALITY OBJECTIVE: Advance equal opportunities to diversity and develop our workforce and our senior leaders so that they better reflect our audience Participation in Pan BBC training schemes (e.g. PTS, JTS, Extend) / Line Managers Annual Green - Offering 2 places in NI on pan BBC Radio Apprenticeship scheme.3 Extend bids this year-1 successful in Sport NI. Mentoring Pilot March 14 and beyond Green - 14 members of staff have been trained by Jane Saunders to develop mentoring skills mentoring programme to be rolled out in Spring / summer 2014. Deepen Relationships with Organisations that provide source of potential recruits e.g. FE. HE. Universities Page 7 of 7