Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy

I am deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and I have built these into the core of my practice. Humans are complex and diverse in their very nature which means they are not easily categorised into discrete, little boxes. I approach individuals with curiosity and respect for their individual experiences and ways of seeing things. I work to create an environment that welcomes, respects and empowers each and every one of them, something only possible because I am committed to the lifelong journey of decolonising myself with unlearning oppressive attitudes and practices and learning ones which truly empower people. My reflexive reflection helps bridge the gap between my learning and my practice.

This dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion includes upholding the dignity and respectful treatment of all people irrespective of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. I acknowledge, however, that these are not the only aspects of identity that suffer from oppression and, in line with the intersectional approach that I adopt, I take into account things like socioeconomic background, education level, neurodiversity, body size and shape, language, geographic origin and immigration status when working with people to ensure their full experience is honoured and supported.

Committed to providing a truly inclusive coaching experience, my approach to client interactions is guided by a deep respect for each individual's unique intersectional identity. This means I actively seek to understand the nuances of their background, experiences, and perspectives, paying close attention to the meaning behind their chosen language. I value the right to self-identification and tailor my coaching to ensure their needs are met with cultural sensitivity. Furthermore, I meticulously ensure that any resources or referrals I offer are relevant and appropriate for the individual. Recognising the potential for power dynamics, I prioritise creating coaching relationships that are equitable and collaborative.

A cornerstone of my commitment to equitable and collaborative coaching is my proactive engagement in continuous professional development. This encompasses a wide range of topics, including anti-oppressive practice and unconscious bias, and I actively seek out diverse voices and expertise from various trainers. Crucially, I maintain a consistent practice of self-reflection to identify my own biases and assumptions. This self-awareness is fundamental to my ongoing development of a deeper understanding of different cultural norms, communication styles, and worldviews, ultimately enriching my coaching practice.

I endeavour to make all environments I work in accessible to people with diverse needs. This ranges from decisions about colour contrasts and the use of headings on my website to the ability for people to use live captions in online sessions to the accessibility of physical spaces used for sessions. I also do my best to ensure tools and exercises are adaptable or I have alternatives available if adaptations can’t be made. If it comes to my attention that an aspect of my current service, location or tools is not accessible to someone, I endeavour to explore options that will enable us to continue, where possible and within my level of skill and competence.

I commit to using language and images that are inclusive of the people I potentially might work with and their different needs in my marketing materials. In order to ensure I reach a variety of different people, I will engage with a range of organisations and networks.

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains comprehensive, relevant and reflective of my understanding and best practices. That review will also involve an evaluation of the effectiveness of this policy in fostering a truly inclusive environment. Feedback on the inclusivity of my practice is welcomed and can be sent via email to office@caroledianecoaching.co.uk, by using the contact form on this page or raised in the course of any other conversation we’re having. I will hold myself to account for upholding these principles and practices across the whole of my practice.