What is the Diversity Network Accreditation?

The Diversity Network Accreditation (DNA) is a forward-thinking and outcome based accreditation framework. It was first developed by HDN in conjunction with its members in 2012, and has been added to and revised ever since, with our last major revision taking place in 2021 It is an independent, robust and comprehensive assessment of how your organisation deals with equality, diversity and inclusion. Achieving DNA is recognition from HDN, the leading specialist body in the sector, that your organisation has got effective leadership and processes in place and that you are achieving positive outcomes for those who work for you and your customers

Is it in your DNA?

Do you feel that equality and diversity is important? Do you want people to know your organisation has a fantastic track record of knowing your customers?

If you want an accreditation that is straightforward, holistic, robust and reflects the way that housing providers work you need the Diversity Network Accreditation

We all want to improve our customer’s lives, by delivering excellence through genuine partnerships. HDN has developed a forward thinking and outcome based accreditation model, preparing you for significant change and future success.

What does the accreditation include?

The DNA assessment criteria focus on three core areas; Your business, Your customers and Your community. Within these, we will look at evidence across a range of competencies, including:

Your business

Do you understand the local context, and how is this used to inform your business planning?
Do you value diversity at board level, and what is the board’s role in supporting an inclusive culture?
Relationships, partnering and supply chains.
Workforce planning
Training and development
Wellbeing

"I’m so proud that together we have achieved recognition for all our ED&I work to date. Thanks to the colleagues, customers and board members who gathered information, took part in interviews and supported the accreditation process."

Delegate

Your customer

Are services designed with reference to community needs, uptake and performance across all customer groups actively monitored and action taken to address any differences?
Is there good customer profile information, used within the business with actions in place to address any gaps?
Are you proactively engaging with customers from all parts of the community? Are you ensuring that all involved customers understand the importance of EDI and receive necessary training
Is there a clear understanding of the impact of policies and services for vulnerable and diverse service users?

Your community

Support for marginalised groups.
Training and employment opportunities.
Local partnering
Does the organisation maximise its opportunities to promote an equitable, diverse and inclusive society across the communities with which it works?

DNA is a cost-effective way to get an independent check on your equality, diversity and inclusion performance. The cost for DNA will depend on the size and complexity of your organisation. As with many of our services, there is a discount for HDN members. Please contact us for further details about pricing.

What’s The Process?

The accreditation process is designed to be uncomplicated yet comprehensive, and our approach is flexible to take into account the specific needs of your organisation. It not only encompasses legal and regulatory requirements, but also aims to get to the heart of your approach to embedding an inclusive culture, and focuses on the impact this has on your key stakeholder groups.

We look at your data, policies and procedures and back this up with interviews with key people and some focus groups. We come to a judgement based on the evidence presented as to whether you are awarded the DNA.

It’s also worth saying that DNA is not just for those organisations who are confident that they are where they want to be in regard to their approach – many choose to use an initial assessment process to validate and enhance their current activity, and then re-visit and obtain the accreditation 6-12 months further down the line.

If we can get all the information from you to make a start, the whole process takes about 12 weeks from start to finish. Generally, we can work towards a timetable to suit you.

Why take the Accreditation?

We think that the accreditation provides your stakeholders with independent assurance of your organisation’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. These stakeholders not only include current customers, staff and partners, but also those who might be considering working with you in the future.

Our team will work with you to collate auditable evidence, and will also provide you with support in understanding your current strengths and how to further develop your approach to an ED&I action plan. A DNA assessment can help to drive cultural change and ensure that resources are focussed on the areas in which they will deliver the best value

Within the social housing sector, a proactive approach to managing equality, diversity and inclusion is a core component of the latest NHF Code of Governance and increasingly boards will be seeking specific assurance in these areas. Some members also use the DNA accreditation when bidding for external contracts.

Accredited organisations are entitled to use the DNA logo on their marketing and comms materials, and we regularly share best practice with our membership, for the benefit of the sector as a whole.