The Power of an Intersectional Approach: A Long Career at DWP

Created by VERCIDA for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

For Jayde, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) leader at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), a career is more than just a job; it's a journey of purpose. It’s a space where her full, intersectional identity can be leveraged as a strength.

Jayde has accumulated extensive experience with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and has spent 18 years in the Civil Service.  She offers a compelling look at how the organisation supports its people and creates an environment where everyone can thrive.

A Journey of Growth and Support

Jayde's journey began as a young, single mother of three, taking on a temporary, six-month administrative role at the DWP. Having worked in retail, she was cautious, wondering if she would have to "prove herself even harder" to a government employer as a woman of colour and a mother. She quickly discovered a different reality. The DWP’s support for her, both as a person and an employee, was immediately apparent. Jayde’s initial role, supported single parents returning to work, resonating deeply with her own life experience and gave her a powerful sense of purpose. This feeling of making a genuine difference to people's lives became a constant motivator.

As she moved into a customer-facing role at a Jobcentre, Jayde found a unique sense of reward in helping people navigate complex, life-changing situations. It wasn’t about selling a product; it was about connecting with individuals and offering them a path forward. She realised she was not just working but helping to create a legacy of positive change in her community.

An Intersectional Lens on Diversity

The DWP's commitment to diversity became even clearer to Jayde following the events surrounding George Floyd in 2020. She saw senior leadership willing to have honest, and sometimes difficult, conversations about race and inequality. While she wasn't a senior leader at the time, her strong relationships with her superiors allowed her to offer direct, human-centred advice that went beyond simple corporate messaging. This experience highlighted the DWP's shift toward an intersectional approach; recognising that an individual's identity is made up of multiple, overlapping characteristics.

As Head of DE&I Delivery of the Jobs and Careers Service, Jayde works with all the DWP's employee networks to ensure the organisation's approach is both authentic and impactful. She is vocal about the importance of addressing the “humanity of people,” particularly in response to societal challenges. The organisation has moved away from a one-size-fits-all diversity programme to a more nuanced approach, focusing on specific needs. Data shows the DWP needs to improve ethnic minority representation at senior levels, and the organisation is actively working to address this gap. There is also a strong focus on improving the experiences of colleagues with disabilities and better understanding the role the DWP plays as a vehicle for social mobility.

Investing in People and Purpose

The DWP’s commitment to its people is evident in its learning and development programmes. Beyond standard Civil Service learning, the organisation offers tailored programmes, such as the Department for Work and Pension Summer School and Leaders Like You, which provide specific support for colleagues from different backgrounds. A new senior civil servant sponsorship programme is also being launched to help bridge the gap in senior leadership representation.

For Jayde, the DWP has provided a foundation for a rich and rewarding life. It allowed her to be a present mother while advancing her career, something she once worried would be impossible. The journey has not always been easy, but it has been "absolutely worthwhile." The DWP gave her a sense of belonging and, most importantly, a profound sense of self-worth. It has offered her the opportunity to find purpose beyond a job description.

Jayde describes working at the DWP as being like a box of chocolates, sometimes unpredictable, but in the best way possible. While the work can be challenging, particularly in frontline roles, it offers immense rewards. The opportunity to make a tangible difference in someone’s life is a feeling that, as Jayde says, "you will reap those rewards for sure." The DWP is an employer that provides not just a job, but a chance to build a legacy of positive impact.