Diversity in Health and Care Partners Programme

Supporting health and care organisations to create more inclusive workplace cultures, where difference is welcomed and celebrated.

Our Diversity in Health and Care Partners Programme is a comprehensive organisational development programme which helps organisations advance equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace. 

Delivered through a year-long series of events, it provides access to leading industry experts, good practice, guidance, resources and networking opportunities and is designed around the ambitions and requirements of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, NHS EDI improvement plan and the recently launched NHS Staff Standards.

Benefit from four face-to-face interactive modules and virtual masterclasses exploring key challenges that your organisations are navigating and sharing practical insights on what 'good' looks like. In addition, we will host a series of drop-in networking sessions for EDI leads and staff network chairs.

Drawing on over a decade’s experience of delivering this successful diversity and inclusion partners programme, this annual programme equips your organisation with thought leadership, practical resources and actionable insights to help your organisation embed a focus on inclusion and remain at the forefront of evolving EDI practice. 

We are currently recruiting for the 2026/27 cohort which will commence in October.

Programme benefits

With the new 10 Year Health Plan for the NHS and a renewed focus on workforce transformation and equity, this programme is timelier than ever and plays a crucial role in helping organisations meet their commitments to all staff under the Workforce Race Equality Standard and the Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES). Previous WDES reports have noted that organisations participating in our programme performed better across multiple WDES metrics.

The programme is underpinned by the NHS values and supports:

Leaders to integrate the latest sustainable diversity and inclusion practices,
the creation of culturally appropriate and inclusive services to meet the needs of a diverse range of patients and care service users,
organisations to be the best employers and service providers they can be, and
efforts to achieve the requirements of NHS and other external benchmarks and standards.

I’ve had the privilege of hearing from brilliant speakers and passionate leaders, with each one offering guidance and examples of bold, brave practice across the health and care sector. The programme has deepened my understanding of EDI in practice and reinforced how essential this work is.

Isi OjoboOD Manager, NHS North Central ICB

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Secure your place

The highlight from this programme has been the opportunity to connect and engage with other EDI professionals and likeminded individuals with a shared passion for tackling systemic inequalities within healthcare.

Reece St OmerHead of EDI, Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust

Key information

Who is the programme for?

Organisations

NHS trusts (including acute, community, learning disabilities, mental health, ambulance and integrated care systems) 
Local government organisations
Private sector organisations providing health and social care services
Voluntary and charity sector organisations

Individuals

Board members
Equality and diversity leads
Human resources professionals
Staff network chairs, co-chairs and leads
Learning and organisational development leads
Service improvement, staff-side representatives and project managers

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The programme provides an opportunity for participants to claim Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours following attendance at our modules. Please note these are individually assessed and accredited by CPD following each event. 

Cost

This programme is open to Members and Non-Members of The NHS Alliance.

The cost of this programme is on an organisational basis and secures three places at each face-to-face module. Our virtual masterclasses are available to your whole organisation, delegates will be required to register ahead of the session.

NHS Alliance members: £3,750 + VAT
Non-members and partners: £5,250+ VAT

You will need to provide a purchase order number one your place has been confirmed. Card payments are also accepted. 

Follow the ‘Register now’ link at the top of this page to book your place.

If you are unsure about your membership status, please contact EDIImprovement@theNHSalliance.org.

Dates for the 2026/27 programme

Face-to-face modules - taking place 10am-4pm

Module 1 – Tuesday 10 November - Leeds
Module 2 – Tuesday 12 January -  Manchester
Module 3 – Tuesday 16 March - London
Module 4 – Tuesday 13 July – Leeds

Virtual masterclasses 

Masterclass 1 – Tuesday 16 February, 11.30am - 1pm
Masterclass 2 – Tuesday 4 May, 11.30am -1pm

Virtual drop-in sessions for EDI leads 

Drop-in session 1 – Tuesday 24 November, 2-3pm
Drop in session 2 - Thursday 25 March, 2-3pm
Drop in session 3 – Thursday 10 June, 11-12pm

Virtual drop-in sessions for staff network chairs  

Drop in session 1 – Thursday 3 December, 11-12pm
Drop in session 2 – Wednesday 31 March, 11-12pm
Drop in session 3 - Thursday 3 June, 2-3pm

Participating partner organisations 2026/27 programme

Participating organisations for the 2026/27 cohort will be announced in September 2026.

We had some really rich conversations about how we keep the momentum of EDI going within the NHS in the current climate, and how we continue to demonstrate value and impact in meaningful ways.

Paris Pinnock-CowellSenior Project Manager - EDI and Belonging Lead, NHS South Yorkshire ICB