BAME Network at Homes England

The BAME Network at Homes England exists to improve the working lives of Black, Asian, and Minority ethnic (BAME) colleagues as well helping to influence the agency’s delivery of its wider mission. The network was formally launched on 21^st March 2018 to deliberately coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The theme of that day, “Promoting tolerance, inclusion, unity and respect for diversity in the context of combating racial discrimination” is in keeping with the BAME Network’s overall aim. It believes that in order for all colleagues in any organisation to reach their full potential, there must be no fear of discrimination or prejudice and a belief that career opportunities or experience of work will not be negatively impacted due to race, religion or belief.

The network’s purpose is to ensure that Homes England provides a safe and positive working environment for BAMENet colleagues and to help raise the visibility and profile of the contribution that our BAME colleagues make. Its aim is to ensure that Homes England has inclusive work environments where everyone feels welcome and can thrive and give their best. In full, the aims of the BAMENet are:

• to work closely with Homes England on the delivery of its Equality Objectives; and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
• to task Homes England with ensuing that we have an inclusive work environment where everyone feels welcome and can thrive and give their best
• to provide a safe forum for BAME colleagues to network issues of specific interest to BAME colleagues
• to act as a voice for BAMENet members, and/or colleagues
• to assist with policy development on BAME issues by providing advice and feedback to the Homes England Head of Diversity, the Equality Diversity Board Advisory Group and Human Resources
• to advocate for targeted learning, development, mentoring and promotion opportunities for BAME colleagues at Homes England;
• to assist Homes England to address under representation of Managers and Senior Managers from BAME groups
• to work with the agency to see us represented in the Business in the Community ‘ Best Employers for Race’ listing;
• to promote on-going Diversity and Inclusion training and awareness via internal and external sources, which can be provided to the whole agency
• to work with HR to ensure that the Homes England recruitment process reflects the most up to date inclusion hiring practices
• to work with charities that represent the BAME community with a view to learning through shared experiences.