policy, strategy and  capacity

digital worlds

making connections

equality, gender, mainstreaming
 
 
 
 

I have considerable experience in local government, in local and regional authorities and more recently with Sure Start and Children's Centre development.

For more than 9 years I headed up an effective,  politically sensitive women's equality unit which  worked across the entire service and policy range of the council.  As it was one of the longest functioning, dedicated women's units in UK, my track record is unique. I lead and managed our input to the development of  core  council services and other key areas included best value, customer care, performance management and quality related programmes. We pioneered equality mainstreaming methods.

We addressed women’s diversity: women as a group may share many experiences but specific groups like disabled women, black and ethnic minority women, older women, lesbians, refugees and others have particular needs and concerns.

The unit also provided:

advice for local service users and professionals about council policy, practices and process

research, council reports, good practice guides, information provision, training and development

consultation

advice to politicians

Publications and reports may be available. Contact me.

Since then I have worked for other regional and local authorities on women's equality.

One contract was to produce a report to guide them in the review of their women’s equality strategy and in formulating new strategy. 

A wide brief covered most key areas of the councils’ operations and responsibilities in a contested but key aspect of local government (equalities) where a lack of consensus and understanding about problems and solutions arouses strong reactions, there as everywhere.

The context was one of a  council in some difficulties and attempting transformation, changes in staffing and in the equality champions,  stakeholder issues,  diversity issues.  Resources were limited and there was a pressing need for fresh, innovative responses. 

My comprehensive strategy contained proposals to be integrated with existing priorities and practices including the council’s mainstreaming and modernising methodology.  It identified key areas for change and development and offered innovative responses to gender issues and also provided a conceptual analysis of  mainstreaming and equality work as a tool for understanding and change.

I have also worked for the Greater London Authority running a consultation on their Gender Equality Scheme, producing the Mayor's annual report on equalities and producing a directory.