Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and co-production action plan 2026 to 2027

Embedding EDI and co-production across our objectives

This action plan outlines how EDI and co-production are guiding principles that are embedded across all our business objectives. By embedding EDI across our objectives, strengthening co-production, and using better data and insight, we aim to ensure that fairness, inclusion and public protection remain deeply connected in everything we do. 

This should be read alongside our 2026 to 2027 business plan. 

Delivery and improvement 

Objective 1: Building a sustainable financial and workforce plan 

We are developing a more mature approach to financial and workforce planning, guided by evidence about future demand and skills needs. This will bring greater predictability, reduce reactive activity and support longer-term improvements. 

EDI - Better workforce data and analytics will enable targeted, evidence-led action on inclusive recruitment and equitable development. 

Evidence:  

• increase our Talent Inclusion and Diversity (TIDE) score from 78% to 80%+ 
• implement demographic dashboards with disaggregated reporting 
• provide regular diversity trend reporting to leadership and our board  
• deliver targeted interventions informed by data insights 

Co-production - We will engage widely through our people forum, staff networks and focus groups. 

Evidence: Meaningful engagement with organisational leaders and employees. 

Objective 2: Improving our digital systems, data quality and security 

We will implement data governance, improve security and progress work on more integrated data systems.  

EDI - We will apply an inclusive design approach and conduct user research with a diverse range of users. 

Evidence: Digital maturity assessment improvements across 4 user experience measures. 

Co-production – Users will be involved throughout the development lifecycle through research and co-design. 

Evidence: Digital maturity assessment improvements in alignment to user goals and data-informed decision-making. 

Regulation and protection 

Objective 3: Improving the way concerns are triaged so that decisions are timely and proportionate 

Rising volumes of concerns means that our early decision making is more important than ever. Strengthening triage ensures that cases which do not meet the threshold are closed early, while cases needing investigation move forward quickly and consistently. 

EDI - Fitness to practise and EDI research will inform service delivery. Training for fitness to practise teams will cover the practical application of the Equality Act and Human Rights Act, anti-racism and intersectionality.  

Evidence: Training uptake and pre- and post-training confidence surveys. 

Objective 4: Strengthening capacity and consistency across investigations and case examination 

We will improve how investigations and case examination teams operate and interact. This will include assessing capacity in key decision-making roles, strengthening training and support available for case examiners and review how work is allocated between internal teams and external legal providers. 

EDI - We will maintain a sustained focus on analysing fitness to practise EDI data to identify disparities and drive continuous improvement.  

Evidence:  

• leadership and board oversight of fitness to practise EDI data analysis 
• evidence of targeted interventions 

Prevention and impact 

Objective 6: Building our research function to strengthen evidence and insight 

We are building our research capability so that decisions and policies are grounded in robust, accessible and relevant evidence.  

EDI - All research will explicitly consider EDI issues in both the commissioning process and the research itself. 

Evidence:  

• National Advisory Forum involvement in shaping research 
• outputs to include explicit EDI analysis with findings reflected in recommendations 

Co-production - People with lived experience will be involved at all stages of the research cycle, from design through to dissemination. 

Evidence:  

• all research commissions to demonstrate co-production arrangements at proposal stage 
• commissioning documentation to include co-production requirements 
• final reports to evidence how lived experience input shaped outputs 

Objective 7: Building the evidence base for continuing professional development (CPD) 

We will consult on improvements to the CPD model and strengthen our understanding of the quality of the CPD being recorded.  

EDI – The consultation will account for impacts on those with protected characteristics and minority groups. 

Evidence:  

• targeted engagement with protected characteristic groups 
• equality impact assessment (EIA) informing final policy 
• documented evidence of how consultation and EIA findings shaped the CPD model 

Co-production – Users will be involved throughout the design and refinement of the CPD recording system, including user testing and consultation engagement. 

Evidence:  

• summary reports of user testing outcomes 
• evidence of system changes made in response to user feedback 

Objective 8: Strengthening our engagement with social workers, employers and the sector 

We want our communications to build trust, support early intervention and help people understand the role of regulation. 

EDI – Using multiple channels, formats and touchpoints ensures different voices, backgrounds and access needs are considered. Reviewing how we engage with social workers, employers and the sector will help us identify and address gaps in how we reach different groups. 

Evidence:  

• event analytics and evaluations 
• evidence of reasonable adjustments made in response to findings 

Co-production – We create genuine opportunities for co-production at all stages, from shaping priorities to feeding back on delivery. 

Evidence:  

• event analytics 
• records of co-production input and how it influenced decisions 
• summaries of stakeholder feedback and actions taken 

Objective 9: Shaping the future of specialist and advanced social work practice 

We are developing a stronger evidence base about practice education and specialist roles so that future regulatory frameworks better recognise their critical contribution. 

EDI – As we develop our understanding of the approved mental health professionals (AMHP) and best interests assessors (BIA) and practice education landscapes, we will share workforce demographic insight with the sector and ensure our inspection model remains inclusive. 

Evidence:  

• completion of the reapproval of AMHP and BIA courses and the findings from this  
• analysis of practice education survey and discussion forums  
• placements-focused research 
• enhanced placements engagement campaign  

Co-production – We will adopt co-production principles with stakeholders, involving the Practice Education Development Group, National Advisory Forum and Education and Training Advisory Forum throughout. 

Evidence:  

• improved engagement with our work 

Objective 10: Improving social work education and strengthening our quality assurance processes 

We will refine our quality assurance approach to make it proportionate, flexible and focused on greatest impact. 

EDI – The consultation on education and training standards will account for impacts on protected characteristics and minority groups. The placements programme will deepen our understanding of student experiences, which we will share with the sector. 

Evidence:  

• consultation feedback 
• improvements to inspections and annual monitoring 

Co-production – Co-production will be central to changes to our inspections process. 

Evidence:  

• consultation feedback 
• work with the National Advisory Forum and people with lived experience 
• improvements to inspections and annual monitoring