How the CSP is working to oppose racism

The CSP is proudly an anti-racist organisation and our equity, diversity and belonging strategy aims to achieve positive and lasting change for members and staff at the CSP. 

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It is not good enough that we are not racist. We have to be anti-racist.

Karen Middleton, ex-CSP chief executive

What it means to be 'anti-racist'

The political climate around Covid-19 and Black Lives Matter emphasised the need to show solidarity with Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) members and colleagues against the evils of racism. Since then we have gone on to write an equity, diversity and belonging strategy. The strategy was produced in collaboration with CSP diversity networks, members, staff and stakeholders with direct experience of, or insights into, the discrimination and disadvantage faced by members and their patients.

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Representatives from the CSP's diversity networks at a joint diversity day

How to get involved

The CSP's Black Asian and Minority Ethnic network is the largest of our three diversity networks, with over 1500 members.

You can also find out how you can engage with them as a non-diversity network member.  We recommend reading this interview with CSP BAME network member and physiotherapy educator Melrose Stewart.

In 2022, the CSP launched a campaign on addressing microaggressions - a statement or action, that shows subtle, intentional or unintentional discrimination, hostility or negative attitudes towards members of a marginalised group.

Every October, Frontline is now dedicated to Black History Month.

Sign in to your CSP account and you can order a new eye-catching range of free equity, diversity and inclusion posters to display in your workplace.  

Affiliated organisations

We are affiliated with organisations that fight racism and fascism. Visit their websites to discover how you can get involved.

Show Racism the Red Card

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CSP Council members show racism the red card. Photos: Simon Hadley

This charity provides educational workshops, training sessions, multimedia packages, and a whole host of other resources, all with the purpose of tackling racism in society. Every year, we encourage members and reps to get involved in Wear Red Day and collect funds for their activities.

Hope not hate

The campaign was founded to provide a positive antidote to the politics of hate. Over the next few months, it will step up its activities to fight racism.

NHS

The CSP is working hard in a variety of influencing channels to tackle race discrimination at work for CSP members.

Here are just some examples in the NHS:

NHSE/I advisory group on Black, Asian and minority ethnic NHS staff and Covid 

This has been set up to work across the NHS on ensuring Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff have access to risk assessments for Covid and to understand the barriers for these staff in relation to Covid vaccination and work together to find solutions to those.

Staff side race equality toolkit

The joint health unions have set up a sub-group to produce resources for local staff sides to use on race equality – it will include a race equality staff side checklist/how to use WRES data locally/and how to develop links and work in partnership with workplace Black, Asian and minority ethnic networks.

NHS Equality Diversity Inclusion Group

Unions and employers have been working to review EDI wording on the flexible working and career progression sections of Agenda for Change. It has also been working on messaging being delivered to NHS staff on why it is important to get the vaccine, with a particular need for respect and understanding as to why some members may be hesitant and what can be done to address this.

TUC

We seek to influence government policies and join in anti-racism campaigns via our affiliation to the TUC. For example, through the annual Black Workers’ Conference – which CSP members attend, including presenting motions and engaging in debates. We also feed into the  Anti-Racism Taskforce and its Trade union anti-racism manifesto  and participate in events that celebrate the role of Black, Asian and minority ethnic workers in the NHS.

Tackling discrimination 

 

Are you experiencing discrimination at work?

  • Contact your CSP steward

  • If you steward is unavailable and the issue is not urgent, please arrange to speak to them when they are free

  • If you don't have a steward, or your issue is urgent and you can't wait for a response, contact CSP enquiries by emailing enquiries@csp.org.uk or calling 020 7306 6666 

  • Please note, enquiries will only be able to deal with urgent enquiries when your steward or senior negotiating officer is unavailable

We are also supporting members’ ability to identify and tackle discrimination in a variety of ways:

Specialised equality stewards

In 2021, the CSP launched its first ever pilot of workplace equality reps. Members from across the UK took on the role and worked to promote issues relating to equity, diversity and belonging in their workplaces. In 2023, the pilot was expanded and there are now nearly 60 equality reps working in NHS trusts and health boards across England, Scotland and Wales. Unfortunately, we were unable to recruit any equality reps in Northern Ireland. If you are a CSP member working in Northern Ireland and are interested in becoming an equality rep, e-mail us!

CSP reps training 

CSP reps are now receiving regular training on issues relating to equity, diversity and belonging, including national anti-racism training and regional recognising discrimination in the workplace training. 

Resources

We updated and disseminated new information on workplace rights with respect to racist discrimination in the workplace.  

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