Equality and diversity networks

We have three recognised equality and diversity network groups for members: Disabled Members, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Members and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Members. Find out more about them here including how you can join. Membership of all three groups is confidential.

All are open to paid up CSP members, including students and assistants. The network groups meet at least twice a year, including holding joint sessions on issues of common interest. The CSP pays expenses for members to attend.

Disabled Members Network

The Disabled Members Network is for members with a disability or a health condition, which may or may not affect their ability to carry out their role as a physiotherapist. The group encourages members with a wide variety of conditions such as eczema, asthma, back problems, dyslexia etc to join the group, so that it is as inclusive as possible. The network helped to draft guidance to members on the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and contributed to the CSP audit of services, which led to many improvements in access.

BME Network

The BME Network is for members who are black or come from an ethnic minority background. Activities have included training on dealing with harassment and discrimination in the workplace, awareness raising around institutional racism, and work around the implementation of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act.

LGBT Network

The LGBT Network is for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members. The Group has undertaken training on dealing with harassment and victimisation in the workplace and campaigned for legislative protection against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Membership of all three groups is confidential, with access to details restricted to those officers working directly with them. Through the CSP interactive website members receive regular briefings on equality related issues, legal updates, news and information on relevant events. iCSP provides a forum for network group members to discuss issues of common interest and contact each other by email.

Each network elects a convenor, who sits on the CSP Equality and Diversity Group. This group elects one member to sit on the CSP Council. The networks have made an important contribution to discussions around CSP standards, accessibility, cultural awareness and monitoring. They have also participated in wider campaigns, for example the Civil Partnership Act.

A key activity for the networks is to provide peer support. Members volunteer to be put in touch with other members who are experiencing difficulties in the workplace, for example coming out, harassment, and lack of support for disabled physiotherapists. On occasions, BME network members have offered support to students who faced racial abuse while on clinical placement.

All three networks submit motions to the CSP Annual Representative Conference (ARC) and send representatives to the TUC equality conferences. In 2008, the CSP delegation moved a motion at the TUC Disabled Members' Conference about proposed changes to the funding for reasonable adjustments under the Access to Work Scheme. The motion was selected to go forward to the main TUC Conference in September and the convenor of the CSP Disabled Members' Network invited to propose it.

How to join

If you are not yet registered on interactiveCSP:

• Visit the website: www.interactivecsp.org.uk
• Follow the 4-step registration process. You need your CSP membership number and a valid email address. Please note that the username and password you choose works for both iCSP and this website.
• When you get to step 4 of the registration process you can join whichever networks relate to your current interests, including the student network and the relevant diversity networks. Simply scroll through the network(s) in the left-hand list (available networks) and select any that you wish to join. Use the update link when you have finished.
• Please also note that the diversity networks are listed towards the bottom of the list because access to them is restricted to legitimate users only and all restricted networks are listed at the bottom of the list. This also means that you will not be able to access the network until a moderator has approved you.

If you are already registered on interactiveCSP:

• Visit the website: www.interactivecsp.org.uk
• Find change your networks in the lower left-side menus in the manage your account options.
• Scroll down the list of available networks. Towards the bottom of the list you will find the diversity networks. This is because access to them is restricted. Select the network(s) you want to join and Use the update link when you have finished.
• Please note that, as restricted networks, you need moderator approval before you can access any of them.

If you have questions or need help to use the network please get in touch with the iCSP team either by email icsp@csp.org.uk or phone 020 7314 7870.