Equality and Diversity in Kent County Council

Montage of people

Strengthening service delivery & developing our workforce

Equality and diversity are central to KCC’s approach and form the cornerstone of delivering responsive, personalised services.

As a county, Kent is made up of many different communities that have diverse needs which, as a public service provider, we incorporate in our thinking, planning and how we do things.

As an employer we want to reflect the diversity of the Kent community in the people who work for us.

By employing people with different perspectives, ideas, backgrounds and experiences we are better placed to develop and deliver excellent services for people who live in and visit Kent.

Our aims

Our main aims as an employer are to:

be fair and equal
have a workforce that is tolerant, understanding and has respect for others
provide safe and accessible places to work, free from harassment and discrimination
support and listen to staff.

KCC’s commitment to achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating under the Local Government Equality Framework and the Comprehensive Area Assessment means mainstreaming equality and diversity into all areas of Council activity.

Our Equality Strategy describes how we aim to achieve this goal and is complemented by Directorate action plans.

We have developed a framework for engaging and consulting with Members, officers and staff at all levels and service users that ensures equality and diversity is central to the way we do business.

Watch our Together...making the difference video:

Diversity champions

KCC has diversity champions working in all directorates at all levels whose role is to promote and support good practice in all areas for a particular element of diversity.

There are currently champions for age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, and sexual orientation.