Diversity & Inclusion Working Group (DIG)

• To develop a set of key messages to help ensure that all stakeholders understand the benefits of a diverse and inclusive veterinary team, which could form a statement of intent.
• To make an assessment of the current state of diversity within the veterinary professions, taking account of ethnicity, socio-economic group, gender, sexuality, disabilities and any other relevant groups, based on available statistics, and to benchmark these against other professions. The commissioning of some research may be required at this stage.
• To develop an understanding of the barriers to a more diverse profession, considering factors such as selection and recruitment to veterinary school; recruitment to the workplace; attitudes and support within the workplace and other aspects – this would involve liaison with specific groups that represent the interests of minorities who may not be represented on the WG.
• To consider what the role of the RCVS might be in changing the culture, making direct interventions, encouraging change from others and supporting other relevant organisations. This would include a review of what other regulators do, both within and outside the veterinary profession, in the UK and overseas.
• To ensure RCVS staff, Council and committee members and other groups have adequate awareness of the issues and are provided with training and development to mitigate any unhelpful behaviours. This may include surveys to understand current levels of conscious and unconscious bias.
• To establish what success would look like, how long this might take and how it might be measured.

Principles of engagement