1. Purpose

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Oxenden Family Mediation is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. This DEI policy outlines our approach to embracing diversity, promoting equity, and ensuring inclusion in all aspects of our practice. Oxenden Family Mediation’s policy is to ensure that no potential or existing client, consultee, consultant providing mediation for Oxenden Family Mediation, or person attending a training course is disadvantaged on the grounds of sex, gender, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, disability, age, sexual orientation, religious belief or creed. This policy applies to all aspects of recruitment and selection of participants for mediation and for training. Oxenden Family Mediation will always strive to ensure that all people are treated equally and that reasonable adjustments are made to achieve this.

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2. Our Commitment

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We believe that diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives enriches our work, strengthens our community relationships, and leads to better outcomes. We are dedicated to:

• Valuing individual differences including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief, disability, socio-economic background, neurodivergence, pregnancy and maternity, and marital or civil partnership status.

• Cultivating a workplace and service environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and bias.

• Addressing systemic inequities through continuous reflection and learning.

3. Guiding Principles

• Equity: We aim to remove barriers that prevent people from participating fully and fairly in our services and workplace. This includes recognising and responding to historical and present-day disadvantages.

• Inclusion: Everyone should feel welcome, heard, and empowered to contribute. We strive to create safe spaces for diverse voices and lived experiences.

• Respect: We treat everyone with dignity and ensure respectful communication in all interactions.

• Accountability: We hold ourselves responsible for practising inclusive behaviours and challenging bias—both conscious and unconscious—when we see it.

4. Why DEI Matters 

Diversity and inclusion support allows for:

• Innovation – new perspectives spark creativity and problem-solving.

• Talent attraction and retention – inclusive culture attracts diverse, skilled professionals.

• Decision-making – multiple viewpoints reduce bias and groupthink.

• Service excellence – better understanding of client needs, leading to higher satisfaction.