Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Our communities of practice are employee-led groups who have a common interest in a specific diversity dimension. Group members collaborate to share knowledge and ideas, work on workplace initiatives, and host Departmental events.

Our six communities of practice focus on:

• age inclusion
• culture and language inclusion
• disability inclusion
• gender inclusion
• rainbow allies (LGBTIQA+) inclusion
• domestic and family violence supports.

We value and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the First Australians.

We are committed to creating a culturally competent and respectful workforce that advocates for mutually respectful relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples. We do this by developing and implementing initiatives that support and strengthen cultural identity, and the spiritual and emotional wellbeing, of Aboriginal people and communities.

We support Aboriginal engagement and building community capacity by:

• supporting Aboriginal communities through the delivery of improved infrastructure
• supporting Aboriginal communities through improved delivery of services
• implementing the Department’s Aboriginal Employment Strategy, which includes employment initiatives
• developing and implementing an endorsed Reconciliation Action Plan.

Our Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2020–2024 (DAIP) details our commitment to promoting, protecting and enhancing the rights of people living with disability in South Australia.

The DAIP was developed by working with the community and our Department. It lists clear and measurable actions and targets, and focuses on priority areas of the State Disability Inclusion Plan 2019-2023 that are relevant to our Department's work.

We have been a proud White Ribbon accredited workplace since 2016. We commit to preventing violence at work. Our structures, strategies and policies explicitly promote respect, gender equality and equity.

From Jon Whelan, our Chief Executive:

The Department’s White Ribbon accreditation is a symbol of our commitment to respect, gender equality and creating a safe workplace for everyone.

We all play an important role in speaking out against gender-based violence and fostering a safe environment for employees and stakeholders – our customers, clients and partners.

As a Department, we are committed to maintaining our White Ribbon workplace status. Violence, disrespect and discrimination has no place in this Department.

Our agency was one of the first to participate in, and successfully attain, White Ribbon Workplace Accreditation in 2016, and one of the first to gain reaccreditation in 2020.

In 2025, we will be seeking reaccreditation and in doing so are aiming to become one of the first agencies to attain White Ribbon annual accreditation membership, which recognises our ongoing commitment and leadership in preventing gender-based violence.

Our approach

We lead by example in promoting employee wellbeing. We model respect and acceptable behaviours towards everyone at work, regardless of background or individual traits.

Respect is one of our core values, and we expect all workers to live by them. We do not excuse, commit or remain silent about any form of disrespect or violence.

Our approach

• We take a holistic approach in maintaining a safe, supportive and inclusive workplace.
• We have a zero tolerance towards violence (including gender-based violence) and unacceptable behaviours in the workplace.
• We extend workplace respect and wellbeing to our customers, clients and the community.
• We take the lead in practising gender equality and respect. This ensures everyone feels safe, supported and can thrive in their roles.

We are proud to support women in our Department, particularly in leadership and technical roles. Our program celebrates and strengthens the representation of women.

As an employer of choice, we will keep improving how we attract, retain and develop women's careers.

Our priorities align with:

• the Office for Women SA’s Equality Blueprint 2023–26
• the Office for the Commissioner of Public Sector Employment’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2023–2026.

Our commitment

We are committed to providing a child-safe environment for all children and young people where they can be safe, heard and supported in all interactions with us. We value and respect children and young people, and welcome them regardless of their abilities, sex, gender, or social, economic or cultural background. Unacceptable behaviours, including all forms of bullying, harassment and discrimination, will not be tolerated.

Our commitment complies with the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 and the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016. This aligns with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, which forms the basis of our code of conduct.

Our code of conduct

Our code of conduct is aligned to the principles set out in the Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Principles for Child Safe Environments. This code of conduct applies to all employee, contractors and volunteers.