History of North Kent Racial Equality in Employment Partnership. In 1998 Kent Industrial Mission (KIM) staff, Noel Beattie and Malcolm Cooper met with Mark Nicolson' of South London Industrial Mission (SLIM) to talk about REEP and the Wood Sheppard Principles (WSP). Together they became convinced that to develop REEP and WSP in North Kent would be good for community and business in the Region, already in major regeneration processes. In November 1998 they met in discussions with various allies in the local authorities and other employer organisations and the local Racial Equality Councils. A North Kent REEP steering group met regularly to develop a business plan at the same time promoting the use of WSP as a practical tool for use in our organisations developing the diversity and social inclusion goals in the Equal Opps Policies that organisations should have , although not always practise. Much talking and various meetings later the Racial Equality in Employment Partnership for North Kent was launched> on 28th September 2000 at Chatham. Four of the 'talking' partners signed up, including Medway and Gravesham Councils,the Thames Gateway NHS Community Trust and the Medway Chamber of Commerce. Deliberations continue to support Dartford Council, Bluewater, Kent Police, Kent Fire Brigade and others toward 'sign up' to use the WSP route in their diversities programmes The NHS Trust is piloting a 'health check' project that we are developing with REEP in London and also an 'Accreditation' pilot project with Medway Council. We are working as partners to the goal that that Organisations endorsing the Wood Sheppard Principles and sign up to the Partnership elect to undertake regular health checks or go for an accreditation procedure. North Kent REEPartnership has developed from the context of employer organisations trying to make diversity and social inclusion work in their business and their place in the social economy growing in relation to the Regeneration programmes developing in the region. The challenge is to get the word and practice about using The Wood Sheppard Principles active among the Smaller Enterprises of North Kent and elsewhere in the county. The partnership is focussed on working with and having the support of the local ethnic minorities toward having a fair access to the employment opportunities that exist or come into the region. The KIM acts as the administrative lead partner and regular partnership meetings are held by mutual invitation at various places. The NKREEPartnership works together for mutual support and to use their networks to broaden the commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Members of the Board or of the Staff in an organisation committed to these aims are welcome to call the Partnership for advice on brining WSP into their business for the good of the business and its valuable role in the local community and economy. A note on delivering the goal as a partnership rather than as project or programme. Partnership gives the best option for the private, statutory and Voluntary/Community sectors to work together to deliver the best outcomes. Partnerships work because they can utilise the strengths and abilities in the participating organisations of employment to a joint outcome. Partners deliver better than clients and providers.
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