Establishing staff support networks
Effective staff support networks (sometimes called employee resource groups) are key to workplace inclusivity, helping people feel more included at work.
Staff support networks (SSN) provide a supportive environment for underrepresented and minoritised groups within an organisation, fostering a sense of community and a wider sense of belonging. These networks provide employees with the opportunity to connect, socialise, support one another, and to discuss issues of relevance to their communities, and can contribute to the growth of company culture and workplace inclusivity. The benefits of SSNs include improved employee experience, employee well-being, and organisational success.
Some examples of SSNs are:
Neurodivergent staff network
Neurodivergent staff network
Neurodivergent staff network
LGBT+ staff network
LGBT+ staff network
LGBT+ staff network
Disabilities staff network
Disabilities staff network
Disabilities staff network
People of colour network
People of colour network
People of colour network
Carers and parents
Carers and parents
Carers and parents
Menopause staff network
Menopause staff network
Menopause staff network
Women in engineering
Women in engineering
Women in engineering
International staff network
International staff network
International staff network
Establishing your SSN framework
Identify need & gain executive support
Identify need
Using climate survey or lived experience data, gauge employee interest and identify areas where an SSN would be valuable.
Identify need
Using climate survey or lived experience data, gauge employee interest and identify areas where an SSN would be valuable.
Identify need
Using climate survey or lived experience data, gauge employee interest and identify areas where an SSN would be valuable.
Secure executive sponsorship
SSNs need organisational support to achieve their full potential. Whilst SSNs need to be employee led, executive sponsors can provide on-going support in the form of visibility, vocal recognition or networking. Engage senior leaders who can advocate for the SSN and provide resources.
Secure executive sponsorship
SSNs need organisational support to achieve their full potential. Whilst SSNs need to be employee led, executive sponsors can provide on-going support in the form of visibility, vocal recognition or networking. Engage senior leaders who can advocate for the SSN and provide resources.
Secure executive sponsorship
SSNs need organisational support to achieve their full potential. Whilst SSNs need to be employee led, executive sponsors can provide on-going support in the form of visibility, vocal recognition or networking. Engage senior leaders who can advocate for the SSN and provide resources.
Define purpose & structure
Co-develop terms of reference
Outline the SSN's mission, SMART objectives (aligned with organisational impact), membership criteria, governance and meetings structure.
Co-develop terms of reference
Outline the SSN's mission, SMART objectives (aligned with organisational impact), membership criteria, governance and meetings structure.
Co-develop terms of reference
Outline the SSN's mission, SMART objectives (aligned with organisational impact), membership criteria, governance and meetings structure.
Establish a leadership structure
Define roles and responsibilities for leaders, executive sponsors, and volunteers and respective terms of service.
Establish a leadership structure
Define roles and responsibilities for leaders, executive sponsors, and volunteers and respective terms of service.
Establish a leadership structure
Define roles and responsibilities for leaders, executive sponsors, and volunteers and respective terms of service.
Plan for activities & resources
Identify employee-led activities
In consultation with relevant communities, determine the types of events, workshops, and programs the SSN will offer, such as professional development, mentoring, action-learning sets, networking, and community building.
Identify employee-led activities
In consultation with relevant communities, determine the types of events, workshops, and programs the SSN will offer, such as professional development, mentoring, action-learning sets, networking, and community building.
Identify employee-led activities
In consultation with relevant communities, determine the types of events, workshops, and programs the SSN will offer, such as professional development, mentoring, action-learning sets, networking, and community building.
Provide flexibility
Ensure activities are accessible and inclusive (e.g. hybrid events).
Provide flexibility
Ensure activities are accessible and inclusive (e.g. hybrid events).
Provide flexibility
Ensure activities are accessible and inclusive (e.g. hybrid events).
Secure funding and resources
Company funding and resources are important. Work with executive sponsors to allocate budget, access to meeting rooms, technology, and other necessary resources.
Secure funding and resources
Company funding and resources are important. Work with executive sponsors to allocate budget, access to meeting rooms, technology, and other necessary resources.
Secure funding and resources
Company funding and resources are important. Work with executive sponsors to allocate budget, access to meeting rooms, technology, and other necessary resources.
Launch & promote
Advertise the SSN
Communicate the SSN's purpose, activities, and benefits to the wider employee base.
Advertise the SSN
Communicate the SSN's purpose, activities, and benefits to the wider employee base.
Advertise the SSN
Communicate the SSN's purpose, activities, and benefits to the wider employee base.
Onboard members
Provide resources and training for new members.
Onboard members
Provide resources and training for new members.
Onboard members
Provide resources and training for new members.
Monitor & evaluate
Establish impact framework
Define impact indicators to track the SSN's progress and impact. Progress, in line with SMART objectives, should be measured regularly.
Establish impact framework
Define impact indicators to track the SSN's progress and impact. Progress, in line with SMART objectives, should be measured regularly.
Establish impact framework
Define impact indicators to track the SSN's progress and impact. Progress, in line with SMART objectives, should be measured regularly.
Gather feedback
Conduct surveys and solicit feedback from members to assess engagement and satisfaction.
Gather feedback
Conduct surveys and solicit feedback from members to assess engagement and satisfaction.
Gather feedback
Conduct surveys and solicit feedback from members to assess engagement and satisfaction.
Report and adjust
Regularly report on the SSN's performance and make adjustments to activities and goals as needed.
Report and adjust
Regularly report on the SSN's performance and make adjustments to activities and goals as needed.
Report and adjust
Regularly report on the SSN's performance and make adjustments to activities and goals as needed.
The toolkit:
Inclusive practice
Our toolkit will help you start your journey towards inclusion, developing a respectful and supportive working environment
The toolkit:
Inclusive practice
Our toolkit will help you start your journey towards inclusion, developing a respectful and supportive working environment
The toolkit:
Inclusive practice
Our toolkit will help you start your journey towards inclusion, developing a respectful and supportive working environment
Explore more toolkits
Explore our toolkits
Explore our toolkits
© 2025 Halsden Centre Limited. A company registered in England & Wales No 15730726
© 2025 Halsden Centre Limited. A company registered in England & Wales No 15730726
© 2025 Halsden Centre Limited. A company registered in England & Wales No 15730726