Sefton Council was once again awarded the Navajo Charter Mark for displaying good practice and commitment towards its LGBT+ staff and community at the annual Navajo Awards Ceremony, held at The City of Liverpool College.
Sefton became the first local authority to receive the charter mark back in 2018, marking its commitment to LGBT+ people across the Borough.
The Navajo Merseyside & Cheshire LGBT+ Charter Mark is an equality mark sponsored by In-Trust Merseyside and supported by the LGBT+ community networks across Merseyside– a signifier of good practice, commitment and knowledge of the specific needs, issues and barriers facing LGBT+ people across Merseyside.
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said:
“Sefton Council is committed to ensuring that our Borough enables everybody to be their true selves. In retaining our Navajo Charter Mark for the second time, we are once again sending a strong message to LGBT+ people across Sefton and beyond that we are an organisation that values them, understands their needs and will continue to make sure we do everything we can to support them.
“Although receiving the Navajo Charter Mark is a signifier of good practice, we know there is always more work to do. As part of the Navajo assessment process, four independent assessors met with various colleagues, partners and service users to gather evidence, enabling them to produce a report that the council will review and act upon to improve services.”
The process to receive the Navajo Charter Mark consists of ten assessment criteria, each asking for supporting resources. These resources include documents such as the Equality & Diversity Policy, an equality monitoring form, or brief details of working procedures, for example specific staff policies.
Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council said:
“The Navajo Charter Mark assessment process is not an easy one, but I would urge all organisations across Sefton, big and small, to work to become Navajo accredited.”
Organisations wanting to find out more about the free Navajo Charter Mark and the process involved can visit the website.
Sefton Council are also reminding people to complete LCR Pride Foundation’s Sefton LGBT+ Survey, which has been extended until Friday 15 October. Those wanting to have their views can click here.
