Job title: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead
Salary: £58,605 - £64,262 (Director 45%)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Temporary until 30 March 2026
Location: Hybrid
Adoption England is a collaboration of regional adoption agencies working together supported by a central national team, aiming to improve adoption practice and develop support and services to better meet the needs of children and families. The Adoption England central team is hosted by Leeds City Council.
This is an exciting new role responsible for driving forward our ambitious agenda regarding the implementation of the Adoption England’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy to improve outcomes for children and families affected by adoption, as well as improving the experience of staff working within the adoption sector.
About the role
- You will lead on delivery of the programme of work to address the equality, diversity and inclusion challenges within the field of adoption, providing support and challenge for these projects as well as leading on specific programmes and priorities involving project planning, management and facilitating project teams.
- You will oversee and monitor Adoption England’s work regarding the implementation of the EDI strategy and provide twice yearly reports on the progress, challenges and successes.
- You will improve the understanding of the challenges the organisations face and capture good practice, helping the sector to identify and implement solutions that work by providing advice, guidance and support to the regional adoption agency leaders regarding equality, diversity and inclusion issues.
About you
- You will have a proven ability to engage and work with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders to deliver system level change.
- You will be effective at speaking and writing about the work for different audiences and purposes, adapting your message and approach as required to achieve the aims of the strategy.
- You will pay attention to different structures, pressures, priorities, and levels of influence and utilise these effectively to achieve positive change.
- You will have proven capacity to effectively communicate challenging messages regarding systemic racism, inequality and oppression to diverse audiences, employing appropriate approaches tailored to each group.
- You will be an ambassador for the work of Adoption England and communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences, leading by example with a positive attitude and supporting stakeholders with a culture of innovation and persistence.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
Post holders will work flexibly both at home and will be available to attend an in person meeting every 8 weeks in Leeds and be able to attend in person meetings at other events/conferences across the country as required.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
How to apply
Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement which explains how you meet the criteria for this role.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Sarah Johal on 07891277316 or email sarah.johal@adoptionengland.co.uk
This role is open to secondment by agreement with your line manager for internal candidates.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, candidates must consider their own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the 'standard' salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. For more information visit Skilled Worker visa on the government website. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job purpose: Adoption England is fully committed to embedding principles of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) through all systems and processes in the adoption sector and we launched an EDI strategy in 2024 to help achieve this. To support the delivery of this ambition we are now recruiting to the role of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion Lead (EDI Lead) to be part of the central team, who will take responsibility for the professional leadership of the EDI agenda, working in partnership with stakeholders.
The EDI Lead utilises strategic thinking, leadership credibility and influencing skills to shape and promote sustainable change within the adoption sector helping to create fairness in the services by challenging and reimagining the systems, processes and environments that limit individuals’ opportunities to thrive. They help to create an environment and culture where everyone feels they belong, can participate and are valued for their contribution, experience and perspective. They will help to shape an adoption service that enables all children who need adoption to fulfil their full potential in their lives.
The successful candidate is a credible and respected EDI leader who can influence policy and practice through engagement and collaboration at a national level. They can develop relationships and networks with and between different stakeholders, particularly those with lived experience and community representatives and advise adoption agencies how to create and nurture stakeholder relationships at local level. They are attuned with power dynamics, inequities and inequalities and identify ways to equalise these within all aspects of adoption services in England.
Responsibilities:
- Support delivery of programmes of strategic significance to the Council to deliver services in line with Council priorities.
- Responsible for the development and delivery of the service plan and drive continuous improvement initiatives through leading and contributing to cross Council projects.
Role Specific:
- Responsible for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion needs of Adoption England including leading on the implementation, oversight and on-going review of the Adoption England’s EDI strategy to improve outcomes for children and families affected by adoption and improving experience of staff working within the adoption sector.
- Lead on delivery of the current and development of the future programme of work to address the equality, diversity and inclusion challenges within the field of adoption, providing support and challenge for these projects as well as leading on specific programmes and priorities involving project planning and management and facilitating project teams.
- Monitor Adoption England’s work regarding the implementation of the EDI strategy and provide twice yearly reports on the progress, challenges and successes.
- Analyse the data and insights contributing to a wider understanding of the challenges the organisations face and capture good practice, helping the sector to implement solutions that work by providing advice, guidance and support to the regional adoption agency leaders regarding EDI.
- Representing Adoption England on outside bodies and at events including partnerships with faith leaders, local government peers, other public sector bodies, national government and third sector partners and acting as an ambassador for Adoption England.
- Present reports to partners nationally and regionally where required with the National Adoption Strategic Lead or representative from other programmes of work.
- Leading the commissioning of services in conjunction with the National Adoption Strategic Lead regarding the implementation of the Adoption England EDI strategy. Working with providers who collaborate with Adoption England in the delivery of the strategy and monitor the quality of the service delivery ensuring it meets the targets set.
- In partnership with the Adoption England communication team, promoting equality and diversity through the annual calendar of national and international campaigns raising awareness of, and celebrating, EDI.
- In partnership with the Adoption England communications team, review communication materials to ensure they are as accessible as possible.
- In partnership with the Adoption England communications team and the National Adopter Recruitment Programme Board, improving recruitment, preparedness and support of diverse communities to meet children’s needs.
- Providing advice and consultation regarding any press and communication issues relating to equality, diversity and inclusion.
General Leeds City Council Corporate responsibilities:
- In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework to be responsible and accountable for all financial resources within the service area ensuring value for money and working within financial regulations.
- Review and monitor the performance of services, systems, budget, teams and individuals against standards and agreed outcomes in a cost effective and flexible way that is responsive to a dynamic local, political and national context.
- The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate to the grade.
Qualifications:
Appropriate professional qualification or equivalent substantial knowledge and experience in the service area.
Working Context - Post holders will work flexibly both at home and will be available to attend an in person meeting every 8 weeks in Leeds and be able to attend in person meetings at other events/conferences across the country as required. The hours are worked mainly Monday to Friday. However, the post holder will be expected to work outside normal working hours, including attendance at evening/weekend meetings or events if required to meet the needs of the service.
Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
- In depth understanding of equality and diversity issues which affect local communities, children’s services and children who need adoption, and knowledge of EDI legislation, policy and practice including, but not limited to, the Equality Act 2010.
- Proven capacity to effectively communicate challenging messages regarding systemic racism, racial inequity and bias to diverse audiences, including, but not limited to civil servants, colleagues and children and families, employing appropriate approaches tailored to each group.
- Ability to engage and work with a wide range of colleagues including senior, political, faith and community leaders to deliver system level change.
- Significant experience and ability to provide examples of leading change programmes /system level change, using evidence to plan the work and to monitor outcomes and performance achieving quality transformational outcomes.
- Proven ability to manage and prioritise own workload and that of people you manage in complex environments adapting to changing demands and circumstances ensuring delivery on a range of programmes.
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, understanding of local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues.
- Experience of senior leadership and management relevant to area of service delivery.
- Experience of strategic and operational resource management including the evaluation of competing priorities and managing accountabilities.
- Significant experience and commitment in relation to engagement in decision making processes.
- Significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and Corporate Leadership Team.
Behavioural & other Characteristics required
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
- Be aware of promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
- Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the behaviours, values and standards of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
- Understand and observe Leeds City Council approach to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
