Existing IMB Members
Diversity Information and Resources
The Diversity Working Group has put together a range of information and resources to support Boards. Information and resources are divided into two sections: Monitoring Diversity and Board Membership.
Monitoring Diversity
Monitoring Diversity guidelines for Independent Monitoring Boards were introduced in 2008 and are part of the Continued Development Course. Many boards have implemented these guidelines and consequently several have been commended for their monitoring practices by the Prison and Probation Ombudsmen, Prison Service Management and peers in the House of Lords.
General guidelines
All establishments have a legal obligation to promote disability and race equality. Part 1 of the Monitoring Diversity Guidelines provides IMBs with guidance to satisfy if the establishments they monitor are fulfilling their obligations under disability and race equality legislation.
Understanding and valuing diversity is at the heart of the work of Independent Monitoring Boards. Boards are encouraged to develop their own Diversity Statement in order to affirm their commitment to Diversity.
Part 2 of the Monitoring Diversity Guidelines provides a framework for IMBs to develop and apply their own independent understanding of diversity. This included a ‘proactive monitoring template’ which IMBs can use to monitor any aspect of diversity of interest or concern to them regardless of legal precedence or the establishment’s position on diversity.
Annual Report Guidance
Guidance on structuring the diversity section of annual reports is covered in the diversity module for the Vice-Chairs course. The written guidance from the module suggests sub-headings and key areas for organising the diversity section.
Specialist Papers
In addition to the general guidelines to the DWG has begun a series of specialist papers on monitoring specific aspects of diversity. The first titled Monitoring Hidden Disabilities is now available. Two other papers currently in the pipeline focus on monitoring the experience of non English Speakers and elderly prisoners.
Board Membership
Diverse membership is important because diverse teams make better decisions. The challenge is as much about recognising and utilising existing skills as well as attracting new members with skills and knowledge to enrich the work of the board. To help boards address these issues and share the burden of recruitment the module entitled ‘Diversifying Board Membership – A 7-Step Guide to IMB Recruitment’ has been developed.
Steps 1 to 3 equip boards with a framework for undertaking regular skills and background audits, while Steps 4 to 7 addresses the challenge of widening recruitment networks. The module is delivered locally to clusters of 4 to 6 boards who share recruitment resources and skills. To date 7 clusters have been established.
The DWG have been working to raise the profile of IMBs and support boards with recruitment.
Resources
General Guidance on Monitoring Diversity
- Sample IMB Diversity Statement
- Monitoring Diversity Part 1
- Monitoring Diversity Part 2
- Structuring Diversity Section of Annual Reports
Specialist Papers on Monitoring Diversity
IMB Recruitment Guidance and Clusters
- Diversifying Board Membership – A 7 Step Guide to IMB Recruitment
- List of existing clusters
Good Practices Stories
