Diversity is expressed in all the visible and invisible differences between people, and this can lead to differences in experiences, values, attitudes, ways of thinking, behaving, communicating and working.

Thames Valley Probation aims to prevent discrimination in our work above and beyond the legal requirements. Our goal is to provide an environment in which everyone feels valued, respected and motivated to contribute their best.

The key to this aim is developing and promoting a culture in which everyone recognises and values the diversity of our employees, job applicants, partners, offenders, victims and beneficiaries.

We are proud to work with Stonewall on its Diversity Champions programme. To read more, see Stonewall's website at: www.stonewall.org.uk

Please follow the links at the bottom of this page for documents which set out our approach to diversity. These are not static documents - they live and breathe through our approach, the issues we identify and the actions we take to improve them.

How it works in practice: Our statistical Diversity Monitoring Reports (see below) identify key issues. Our Diversity Monitoring Group examines these key issues and looks for ways to addresses them. These are then communicated to the Diversity in Service Delivery Group and to all staff, so changes are embedded into practice. TVP Board sees summaries of all minutes, reports and actions.

A recent example: The Diversity Monitoring Report report for July 2010-June 2011 (see below) found that East Berkshire had a disproportionate number of offenders who were being remanded in custody but not getting custodial sentences.

It turned out that many were white, non-British immigrants from eastern Europe and couldn't access community bail accommodation because it isn't available to foreign nationals (as they can't claim rent allowance). The alternative was expensive custodial remand.

Now that this issue has been highlighted, the Diversity in Service Delivery Group is looking at solutions. Chief Executive Gerry Marshall reported this to the Board in January 2012 as 'an example of the way monitoring could lead to action'.

Full Single Equality Scheme 2009-2012 (262KB)
12 Page Summary of TVP's Single Equality Scheme 2009-12
One Year SES Action Plan 2010-11(172KB)
One Year SES Action Plan 2011-12(176KB)

Thames Valley Probation's HR Report (partial) 2010-11(745KB)
Thames Valley Probation's Diversity Monitoring Report (July 2010-June 2011)(381KB)
Thames Valley Probation Diversity Monitoring Report (October 2010-September 2011) (397KB)

Thames Valley Probation's Diversity Monitoring Group Minutes, Nov 2011(242KB)

Thames Valley Probation's Diversity Monitoring Group Minutes, May 2011(78KB)

Thames Valley Probation's Diversity Monitoring Group Minutes, Feb 2011(74KB)

Thames Valley Probation's Diversity Monitoring Group structure 2007 (37KB)

Thames Valley Probation's Diversity in Service Delivery Terms of Reference 2009 (41KB)