Fairness Forum
Document
Version 3
0
York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Fairness Forum Document
Table of Contents
Introduction and Governance Structure ................................................................................... 2
Fairness Forum ........................................................................................................................ 3
Terms of Reference .................................................................................................................. 3
Governance Structure .............................................................................................................. 7
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Fairness Forum
Introduction and Governance Structure
The Forum has been formed to support the Trust’s delivery of the Equality and
Diversity agenda; ensuring compliance with legislation, that services provided are
accessible and a workforce that is valued and supported. This enables an
inclusive culture where everyone counts and is reflective of our communities.
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Fairness Forum
Terms of Reference
1.
Status
a. The Fairness Forum is a Sub Group of the Workforce Strategy Committee.
The minutes of the Fairness Forum will be received by the Workforce Strategy
Committee together with an Exception Report highlighting key issues and
risks.
2.
Purpose of the Group
a. The Fairness Forum will bring together lead managers from across the Trust
with significant input into the equality and diversity agenda. The Forum will be
responsible for the implementation of the equality & diversity strategy set by
the Board of Directors.
b. The Forum will keep abreast of new initiatives and legislation and develop
strategies in response.
c. The Forum will be a resource that any department or individuals can access
for equality and diversity advice.
d. To ensure that the Trust meets its legal duties, satisfies Care Quality
Commission and Monitor standards, and demonstrates a positive approach to
achieving equality objectives.
3.
Authority
a. The Fairness Forum has devolved authority to manage and implement the
equality & diversity agenda.
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4.
Legal requirements of the Group
a. Equality & Diversity is governed by legislation which is brought together under
the Equality Act 2010. The main work streams reflect the protected
characteristics plus carers, socio-economic issues and human rights.
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Age
Disability
Gender
Gender reassignment
Marriage and Civil Partnership
Pregnancy and maternity
Race / ethnicity
Sexual Orientation
Religion / belief
Roles and Functions
a. To receive reports covering risks, progress on developments and current
issues from members and work stream leads.
b. To ensure, promote and monitor the Trust delivers on its legal obligations in
relation to equality and diversity.
c. To actively promote working with other local, regional and national groups to
develop greater awareness and understanding of equality and diversity.
d. To embed the principles of equality and diversity to ensure that
implementation becomes a corporate responsibility rather than the concern of
any single department or group.
e. Comply with Public Service Equality Duty to publish (PSED).
f. To prepare an Annual Report to be presented to the Workforce Strategy
Committee and Board of Directors.
g. Review and recommend changes to training and awareness programmes
across the Trust.
h. Set up Task and Finish Groups as needed to respond to national and local
initiatives.
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6.
Membership
a. The Membership of the Fairness Forum will comprise:
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Trust Equality and Diversity Lead (Chair)
Equality and Diversity Facilitator
Foundation Trust Secretary
Non-Executive Director
Directorate Manager
Governors (a minimum of 2)
Head of Patient Access
Senior Human Resources Manager
Faith representative
Head of Capital Planning
Head of Risk & Legal Services
Nursing representative
Elderly Services Representative
Safeguarding adults and Learning Disabilities Representative
Estates & Facilities Representative
Procurement Representative
Patient Experience Team Representative
Health watch Representative
Visually Impaired Representative (Eye Clinic Liaison Officer)
Staff side Representative
Quoracy
a. The Group will be quorate with the Chairperson (or appointed deputy) and 9
members.
b. The Chairperson of the meeting will ensure that a deputy is appointed to
preside over a meeting when they are unavailable or has a conflict of interest
(if required).
8.
Meeting arrangements
a. The Fairness Forum will meet 4 times per year and all supporting papers will
be circulated 7 days in advance of the meeting.
b. Copies of all agendas and supplementary papers will be retained by the Chair
in accordance with the Trust’s requirements for the retention of documents.
c. The Chairperson will supply the Secretariat service to the meeting.
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d. The Chairperson of the Fairness Forum has the right to convene additional
meetings should the need arise and in the event of a request being received
from at least 2 members of the Forum.
e. Where members of the Fairness Forum are unable to attend a scheduled
meeting, they should provide their apologies, in a timely manner, to the
Secretariat of the group and provide a deputy (the deputy does not form part
of the quorate group unless agreed with the chairperson).
9.
Review and monitoring
a. The Fairness Forum will maintain a register of attendance at the meeting.
Attendance of less than 50% will be brought to the attention of the
Chairperson of the Group to consider the appropriate action to be taken.
b. The attendance record will be reported as part of the Annual Report.
c. The Terms of Reference will be reviewed annually.
Author : Margaret Milburn
Owner : Sue Holden
Date of issue : 10th April 2014
Version : Version 3
Approved by : Workforce Strategy Committee
Review date : April 2016
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Governance Structure
Council of Governors
Board of Directors
Workforce Strategy Committee
Fairness Forum
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