Lizzy Hilton - Equality, Diversity and Community Engagement Manager - Yorkshire & Humberside
I joined the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as a Witness Care Officer in 2005, shortly after graduating from university with a first class degree in Sociology and Criminology. My degree equipped me with a strong theoretical knowledge of equalities legislation and diversity issues, both within the Criminal Justice System (CJS) and in society more broadly. My time in witness care allowed me to build on this with a wealth of practical experience of equality and diversity issues in relation to staff and service users.
After just under a year in Witness Care I gained a promotion through secondment to the Local Criminal Justice Board as Diversity Development Officer. After 8 months in this post I took a related 'Temporary Promotion' as a Equality and Diversity officer for West Yorkshire. Finding the field of Equality and Diversity stimulating and challenging I went through a permanent recruitment exercise in January to March of 2008 and was appointed in my current role of Group Equality, Diversity and Community Engagement Manager.
I am incredibly passionate about ensuring that people are treated with respect and dignity at all times, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, disability status etc
The responsibilities of my role are varied. I provide specialist equality, diversity and community engagement advice and support to the group management and to the North and West Yorkshire areas. Part of my role is to develop and ensure delivery of a local equality, diversity and community engagement strategy. I also ensure that national agendas on equality, diversity and community engagement are delivered consistently across the Group and areas.
Due to this wide range of responsibilities a "typical" week in my role can vary significantly. My remit includes coordinating meetings of the Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel and providing feedback to staff about the handling of hate crime cases within the Group; coordinating meetings of the two Community Involvement Panels within the group at which members of the community comment on elements of core business. I spend time engaging with staff at Area Equality and Diversity Group meetings about internal issues; liaising with other statutory organisations about impending community engagement events and negotiating CPS representation at these events. I provide strategic advice to the Chief Crown Prosecutors (CCPs) and Area Business Managers (ABMs) within the Group about community engagement activity; provide support and advice to the Local Criminal Justice Boards in North and West Yorkshire and spend some time sharing best practice with other CPS Areas.
I am incredibly passionate about ensuring that people are treated with respect and dignity at all times, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, disability status etc. Working in the field of equality and diversity provides so many opportunities to work with a wide range of people within the community, the CJS and the statutory and voluntary sectors and to really make a difference. The element of community engagement constantly provides opportunities to engage meaningfully with members of the public in order to shape and improve the service we provide.
In addition to the benefits of a challenging, interesting and varied role, employment with the CPS as an organisation provides significant advantages. Professionally the wide range of roles at admin grades enable people to develop through gaining experience in a number of the available roles. Secondment opportunities, such as the time I spent with Local Criminal Justice Board (LCJB), provide further chances to develop skills and understanding, continuously encouraging professional development.
On top of this the personal benefits such as the flexible working system, which enables one to maintain a healthy work life balance while enjoying a satisfying and challenging career, is invaluable.
