Learning more about racism, equality and diversity

Learning Opportunities on My Learning Source

We encourage colleagues to learning more about unconscious bias, and how this may impact their work. You can book the courses below by clicking on their titles, which link to My Learning Source.

If you do not have access to My Learning Source, read our guidance on getting access to My Learning Source.

Other learning opportunities may be available. Please contact learning@southwark.gov.uk to find out more.

Unconscious Bias e-learning

Personal experiences, stereotypes and cultural environment can all impact on your decisions and actions without you realising. One of the most prominent areas where these ‘unconscious biases’ play out is in the workplace, where they can influence decisions on recruitment, promotion and performance management if left unchallenged.

This 20-minute Foundation Skills module will help you get to grips with unconscious bias so that you can identify, acknowledge and challenge it in your workplace.

Unconscious Bias virtual training 

Unconscious bias refers bias we're unaware of, that happens outside of our conscious control. Make a difference! Think: What can I do? What can our team do? What can our organisation do?

This course is delivered on Zoom and costs £150 for Southwark employees, which can be paid by their department subject to line manager approval.

This course covers:

• the science of bias; psychology, research and evidence of unconscious bias
• the impact on our decision making
• how to challenge our own mental shortcuts and think differently
• how we can empower ourselves and others when we break down our own biases
• call to action - commitment to think differently

Participants will be able to:

•    understand bias and its impact on decision making 
•    manage and challenge own biases
•    empower ourselves and others in breaking down bias
•    create tangible action and commitment

Behaviours and Unconscious Bias for managers

Unconscious bias refers bias we’re unaware of, that happens outside of our conscious control. It happens automatically and is triggered by our brain making quick judgements and assessments of people and situations, influenced by our background, cultural environment and personal experiences.

This course is delivered on Zoom and costs £150 for Southwark employees, which can be paid by their department subject to line manager approval.

This course covers:

• the science of bias; psychology, research and evidence of unconscious bias
• the impact on our decision making as managers eg recruitment
• recognising where bias can occur and how we can mitigate and find solutions
• how we can empower ourselves, customers and our teams
• holding courageous conversations; a framework for feedback
• call to action - commitment to think differently, do things differently and make a difference

Participants will be able to:

• understand bias and its impact on decision making 
• manage and challenge own biases
• recognise where bias occurs and how we can manage and mitigate
• empower ourselves and others in breaking down bias
• hold courageous conversations and provide objective feedback to tackle bias in team dynamics and service standards
• create tangible action and commitment

Equalities, customer excellence and valuing diversity (all staff)

Providing an open space for discussion and learning. Exploring why equality, diversity and inclusion is everyone's responsibility, understanding this through a lens of commercial opportunity. Not only for us as colleagues but for our customers and community. We'll cover everything from the legal frameworks through to our unique approach in creating Fairer Futures for All within our borough of rich diversity. Together we can make a difference.

This course is delivered on Zoom and costs £160 for Southwark employees, which can be paid by their department subject to line manager approval.

This course covers:

• recapping the basics - Equality Act 2010, Protected Characteristics, Public Sector Equality Duty
• exploring the concepts of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) - what does EDI actually mean, what’s the difference?
• representing your organisation – understanding your local community, embracing the commercial opportunity and your professional responsibility in relation to EDI
• understanding what valuing, respecting and including people actually looks and feels like for customer service, communities and colleagues

Participants will be able to:

• understand the difference between EDI, the legal frameworks that apply to Southwark Council and the opportunity of inclusion for commercial success
• link our Southwark Ways of Working and delivering customer excellence
• understand our individual responsibilities in representing Southwark Council
• understand and commit to making equality, diversity and inclusion an everyday reality for our customers, communities and colleagues

Page last updated: 04 February 2021