District IDPs
Inclusion and Diversity Partnerships (IDP)
Recent work across the county to promote inclusion, diversity and belonging has led to the development of a number of district partnership groups (IDP).
There is one overarching aim which is promoted through these groups and through the work that they are undertaking:
Through a focus on equality and diversity, settings will develop further into places where people genuinely feel that they belong and, as a result, they will develop a strong and positive sense of self and an appreciation of their own and others’ uniqueness and identity.
Currently the IDP groups that are active across the county focus, primarily, on district needs. These groups have led to a growing number of schools working together collaboratively to share best practice and enhance the work that schools are doing to meet the needs of students and staff from minority groups and to develop an inclusive and diverse curriculum, culture and ethos, leading to a growing sense of belonging for all.
The groups currently in place are leadership or steering groups which are chaired by an LA representative and primarily involve headteachers from that district. Some additional members are included in some of the groups such as community members, other LA staff, and post-16 representatives.
The vision is that the district groups will become self-sustaining and be led by headteachers in the districts to continue to further the work to achieve the overarching aim.
In order to build on the good work that is going on in different districts and to enable schools to work collaboratively across the county, a strategic group draws representatives from each district group as well as LA departments and other interested parties. District representatives are responsible for sharing information more widely with colleagues in the district IDPs.