Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion

The CSP is committed to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion, and opposing discrimination. 

As a trade union and professional body working in healthcare, it is fundamental to our work that we: 

• Oppose racism, xenophobia, sexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, ageism, classism and hatred against people with disabilities 
• Support members facing unfair treatment at work, in education or other aspects of their lives 
• Seek equal access, treatment and outcomes for all patients 
• Ensure strategic decisions are informed by the full diversity of our members 
• Set an example of good practice in equality, diversity and inclusion as an employ

The CSP is committed to addressing hate crime, direct and indirect discrimination, institutional racism and unequal outcomes for people on the basis of race, age, gender, sexuality, religion, disability or socioeconomic status. 

We acknowledge, respect and celebrate differences and commonalities. 

We acknowledge the significance of the Black Lives Matter movement and how it has highlighted the need for urgent change.  

We recognise that economic, social and health outcomes are often most unequal for the BAME community. We understand that some people experience deeper discrimination or disadvantage than their peers because their identities reflect multiple forms of diversity. 

We do not believe it is enough to simply avoid discriminating. We aim to be actively anti-racist and pro diversity. We will seek to influence others where they are the right bodies to address issues. 

The CSP is developing a new equality, diversity and inclusion strategy that aims to reflect our work: 

• As a membership body 
• As a service provider 
• As an influencer of the healthcare system 
• As an employer 

This work is being led by our chief executive, overseen by Council and informed by CSP diversity networks, members, staff and others with direct experience of, or insights into, the discrimination and disadvantage faced by minority-group members and their patients.  

More information 

• For more information on the CSP Diversity Networks go to the CSP website here

What are we doing? 

Some of the planned, completed and ongoing actions we are taking include: 

• In July, CSP Council adopted this new EDI policy statement 
• Work is underway to widen access and participation in CSP’s Leadership Development Programme 
• We’re working on initiatives to improve EDI within physio student placements 
• We’ve produced promotional materials that highlight the benefits of Diversity network membership. 
• We’ve launched a BAME Twitter account, run by four BAME members, and a LGBTQIA+ Twitter account, run by four network members  
• We’ve produced videos to promote the CSP’s diversity networks to students 
• We’re working to strengthen links between the Student Reference Group and the diversity networks
• We have removed joining fees for overseas-qualified physios to encourage more to become CSP members 
• We are setting a target to ensure our membership reflects the diversity of physio population 
• Plans are underway to facilitate local and regional EDI events for members
• We’re working to highlight the lack of research into inequalities for MSK conditions, including the barriers and challenges faced by ethnic minority groups 
• Ishmael Beckford, BAME network nominee, was co-opted on to the CSP Council in September 
• We’re developing a directory of equality, diversity and inclusion resources for all members.