Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Barnardos Ireland
At Barnardos, we believe in a society where every child is cherished equally, and every individual is treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.
We are proud to serve communities across Ireland that reflect the rich diversity of backgrounds, experiences, identities, abilities and perspectives. As an organisation committed to supporting children and families, we understand that embracing difference makes us stronger—more compassionate and inclusive of all in our services, more reflective in our practices, and more innovative in how we work.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are central to how we deliver on our mission. This means:
- Creating a Culture of Belonging: We are committed to fostering a workplace and service environment where everyone—regardless of race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or family status—feels valued, respected, and empowered to be themselves.
- Challenging Inequality: We actively work to identify and dismantle barriers to inclusion—within our organisation, our services, and the broader systems in which children and families live. We are committed to anti-discrimination in all its forms and to upholding the rights and dignity of the Traveller community, migrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other marginalised groups.
- Embedding Inclusion in All We Do: From our recruitment processes to the services we design, from our organisational training to our advocacy, DEI principles guide every decision we make. They are not add-ons—they are embedded in our culture and daily practice.
Our Actions
- We implement a robust Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Policy, aligned with Irish equality legislation and human rights standards, including the Employment Equality Acts, the Equal Status Acts, the Disability Act and the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty.
- We provide ongoing DEI training and reflective practice for employees, volunteers, board and committee members, ensuring inclusive awareness and skills across the organisation.
- We maintain clear reporting pathways for anyone experiencing or witnessing discrimination or harassment, guided by our Dignity at Work and Anti-Harassment Policies.
- We proactively ensure our services are culturally responsive and accessible to all children and families, incorporating diverse languages, representations, and supports.
Our Processes
To ensure that individuality and difference are respected across Barnardos, we have implemented a number of processes in place that reflect our commitment to equality, inclusion and dignity in the workplace and to ensure that we foster a culture of belonging:
- Dignity at Work: We believe everyone has the right to work in an environment that is safe, inclusive, and free from harassment or intimidation. Our Dignity at Work framework includes clear policies on anti-harassment, sexual harassment, and anti-bullying. These policies are designed to protect all employees, regardless of gender, civil or family status, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, disability, or ethnicity.
- Our Services: Ensuring all children, families and service users are aware of their right to be treated equally and with respect at all times. When, children, families and service users begin working with Barnardos they are inducted to the service. The right to be treated equally and with respect is also highlighted in our working together processes and forms, parents’ and children’s booklets.
- Training and Development: We are committed to equitable access to learning and professional growth. Our training and development policies ensure that everyone has the opportunity to grow their skills and advance without facing barriers or bias.
- Recruitment and Selection: We hire based on merit, and we are committed to ensuring our recruitment and selection processes are inclusive, transparent, and free from discrimination. We actively seek to attract candidates from diverse backgrounds and ensure all appointments are based on qualifications, experience, and potential.
- Grievance Procedure: We take all concerns seriously. Our grievance procedure provides a clear and supportive process for any employee who feels they have been treated unfairly. Employees are encouraged to speak up, knowing their concerns will be listened to, addressed promptly, and resolved wherever possible
Our Commitment
We know that this work is ongoing. We are committed to listening, learning, and evolving to meet the needs of employees, our service users, and the wider communities we serve. We will continue to engage with diverse voices, adapt our practices, and remain accountable to the principles of justice, equity, and inclusion.
At Barnardos, DEI is not just a policy—it’s a promise. A promise to build a future where every child, every family, and every colleague is seen, heard, and empowered.
Barnardos is a Bronze level accredited Investor in Diversity by the Irish Centre for Diversity
