Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
The Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Executive Mentoring Scheme was launched in October 2007 by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Chief Executive, Mike Cooke as part of our commitment for strong leadership and talent management and the need to secure a workforce that better reflects the communities we serve.
This scheme is one of a suite of initiatives and career development opportunities to support BME staff. It specifically offers all BME staff (Band 4 and above) the opportunity of being mentored by an Executive Director for 12-months on 1:1/group basis, with direct access to the Chief Executive.
The scheme is unique in the East Midlands. It is the only known regional initiative at an individual organisational level, that supports the national NHS agenda which acknowledges the under-representation of BME staff at senior management levels in the service and aims to increase representation to 30% of top managers from BME backgrounds in the NHS “…particularly at the highest levels where representation is exceptionally poor.” (Sir David Nicholson, NHS CEO, DoH 2008).
Since inception:
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Half of the first cohort have been successfully promoted and remain strong advocates of the scheme
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Cross organisational appetite for change and a strong commitment to meet the organisational, regional and wider NHS aspirations for BME Leadership and talent management in the service, has ensured the sustainability and extension of the scheme with the successful inception of a second cohort and Executive Director level support.
- An additional £30k has been awarded to the current group of mentees from the DH East Midlands Pacesetters Programme to support three new initiatives:
- BME workforce development
- A bullying and harassment staff helpline
- An anti-stigma campaign to address mental health issues in BME communities.
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Key stakeholder involvement and a shared appetite for other similar schemes at an organisational and local level.
We are proud that this initiative not only has the capacity to identify and develop potential amongst BME staff but also provides them with the confidence and capabilities to make an optimal contribution to their patients, colleagues and the NHS.
Contact: Lorraine Eastham, Associate Director of HR on 01623 784832 or lorraine.eastham@nottshc.nhs.uk
