Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

1. PURPOSE

This policy outlines our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work as a mental health counselling service.

We recognise that the perinatal period, including pregnancy, birth, loss, early parenthood and transitional periods in a person's life can be both deeply transformative and deeply vulnerable. Experiences during these times are shaped not only by individual psychology, but also by social systems, identity, access to care, and structural inequality.

Our organisation exists to provide empathic, evidence-based, and affirming support to all those navigating these stages of life, while actively working to reduce barriers to care.

2. OUR COMMITMENT TO RESPECT & DIGNITY

In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to upholding the rights of individuals with protected characteristics, with respect and dignity regardless of:

Age
Disability or neurodivergence
Gender identity
Gender expression
Relationship style or family structure
Ethnicity, race, or cultural background
Religion or belief
Sexual orientation
Socioeconomic status
Immigration or residency status
Marriage and civil partnership
Pregnancy and maternity
Gender reassignment

We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation, or less favourable treatment on the basis of any protected characteristic.

We recognise that not all people who experience pregnancy, birth, or perinatal mental health challenges identify as women. We intentionally use the term “women and birthing people” to ensure our services are inclusive of trans men, non-binary people, intersex people, and others whose identities may not align with traditional language around motherhood.

As an inclusive organisation, we actively embrace diversity and strive to create a welcoming, affirming, and psychologically safe environment for all.

3. UNDERSTANDING EQUITY

Equality is not the same as equity.

True equity means recognising that different people may need different kinds of support to achieve similar outcomes. Structural inequalities, discrimination, poverty, racism, ableism, and heteronormativity all influence perinatal mental health outcomes and access to support.

We commit to:

Actively identifying and addressing barriers to accessing our services
Offering flexible models of support where possible
Providing sliding scale or subsidised options as resources allow
Designing services that are culturally responsive and trauma informed
Continuously reviewing our practices to reduce systemic bias

We recognise our legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people to reduce or remove substantial disadvantages in accessing our services.

We are committed to ensuring that our policies, procedures, and decision-making processes do not directly or indirectly discriminate against individuals or groups with protected characteristics.

Our decision to establish ourselves as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in the near future reflects our commitment to social purpose over profit. We aim to ensure that high quality, affirming care is accessible to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to receive it.

The CIC model of support will be available in the near future.

4. INCLUSIVE PRACTICE IN PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH

We recognise that perinatal mental health experiences are shaped by intersecting identities. For example:

Black and minoritised women face significantly higher maternal morbidity and mortality rates.
LGBTQ+ parents often experience exclusion within maternity and healthcare systems.
Disabled and neurodivergent parents may face additional stigma and misunderstanding.
Those experiencing pregnancy or infant loss may encounter silencing or minimisation.

Our practice framework includes:

Trauma-informed care

We assume that many clients may have histories of trauma, including birth trauma, medical trauma, racial trauma, sexual trauma, or systemic discrimination, and we centre safety, choice, collaboration, and empowerment in our work.

Gender-affirming practice

We respect and use clients’ chosen names and pronouns. We ensure that our language, documentation, and therapeutic approach do not assume cisgender identity or heteronormative family structures. Additive language will be used.

Culturally responsive care

We remain aware of the cultural meanings attached to pregnancy, parenting, mental health, and help-seeking. We do not position Western psychological frameworks as inherently superior and remain open to learning from clients’ lived experiences and cultural knowledge.

Anti-racist practice

We acknowledge that racism and racial inequality directly impact mental health. We commit to ongoing anti-racism education, reflective practice, and accountability in how we deliver services.

5. ACCESSIBILITY

We are committed to making our services as accessible as possible. This includes:

Offering online, in-person and walk and talk sessions where appropriate
Considering physical accessibility in in-person spaces
Providing clear, plain language information
Making reasonable adjustments for disabled clients
Being mindful of sensory needs and neurodivergence
Considering financial accessibility through flexible pricing structures

We understand that access is not just physical, it is also psychological. We strive to ensure that clients see themselves represented and welcomed in our language, imagery, and communications.

6. ACCOUNTABILITY & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Equity and inclusion are ongoing commitments, not static achievements. We will:

Regularly review this policy
Seek feedback from clients and community partners
Engage in continued professional development on equity-related issues
Reflect on our responsibility to provide an equitable and inclusive service
Address discrimination or exclusion promptly and transparently

We acknowledge that we will not always get everything right. When we make mistakes, we commit to listening, learning, and repairing where possible.

Compliance with equality legislation

We are committed to operating in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant UK equality legislation.

Any concerns regarding discrimination, harassment, or victimisation within our service will be taken seriously, investigated appropriately, and addressed in a timely and fair manner.

We will take appropriate action where behaviour is found to breach this policy or relevant equality legislation.

7. COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY

We are guided by strong social values and a commitment to public benefit. We view our role as extending beyond individual therapy sessions and into the wider community in which we work.

We aim to:

Contribute to wider conversations about equity in perinatal mental health and general health care
Advocate for improved access to specialist services, such as perinatal mental health support and accessible menopause support
Collaborate with community organisations supporting marginalised groups
Support preventative and early intervention approaches wherever possible
Explore sustainable models that increase accessibility for those facing financial or systemic barriers

We recognise that mental health outcomes are shaped not only by individual circumstances but also by social systems and structural inequalities. As such, we are committed to operating in ways that promote fairness, accessibility, and social responsibility.

We believe that perinatal mental health care should not be a privilege. It is a fundamental component of safe, respectful, and equitable reproductive and parental healthcare, and we are committed to working toward a future in which affirming support is accessible to all women and birthing people who need it.

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The Essex Birth Company may also trade as Perinatal Counselling and Trauma Therapy by The Essex Birth Company. All copyright, intellectual property rights, and the terms of this document apply to both trading names.

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