KEO Care is committed to providing accessible and inclusive services to the community and building a welcoming environment for our team. We are continually improving the ways we show up in this space. This strategic direction involves a number of initiatives, the workings of which are guided by this policy.
This policy applies to all employees of KEO Care. Additionally, all non-employees such as contractors and suppliers who may be present at KEO Care work sites should abide by this policy for the duration of their association with KEO.
KEO Care seeks to provide the highest quality workplace and deliver exceptional care for our clients, and as such we expect our team members to hold themselves to a standard that is conducive of this. At all times, we ensure compliance with all applicable legislative requirements and guidelines.
Definitions
As defined by the Diversity Council Australia (DCA), diversity refers to the mix of people in an organisation – that is, all the differences between people in how they identify in relation to their:
- SOCIAL IDENTITY e.g., Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background, age, gender, caring responsibilities, LGBTIQ+ status, culture or faith.
- PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY e.g., profession, education, organisational level, location.
These aspects come together in a unique way for each individual and shape the way they view and perceive their world and workplace.
DCA’s diversity definition is IDENTITY-BASED, as it recognises that the starting point should be how each of us identifies ourselves rather just how others categorise or label us.
This diversity definition also takes into account multiple INTERSECTING diversity dimensions. A person’s identity is often influenced by multiple dimensions. For each individual, these different dimensions come together or ‘intersect’ to form their particular identity.
For example, an individual may not just identify as a woman, but also someone with a trans history who comes from a culturally diverse background.
As defined by the Diversity Council Australia (DCA), inclusion refers to getting the mix of people in an organisation to work together to improve performance and wellbeing.
Inclusion in a workplace is achieved when a diversity of people (e.g. ages, cultural backgrounds, genders, perspectives) feel that they are:
- RESPECTED for who they are and able to be themselves;
- CONNECTED to their colleagues and feel they belong;
- CONTRIBUTING their perspectives and talents to the workplace; and
- PROGRESSING in their career at work (i.e. have equal access to opportunities and resources)
Focus Areas
In 2025 KEO Care formally commenced work towards developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). We established a Reconciliation Working Group (RWG), participated in National Reconciliation Week activities, and celebrated NAIDOC week. Senior Leadership and the RWG received training from a First Nations Consultant and Ally Partner from Evolve Communities.
We are committed to:
- Promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusion and the spirit of reconciliation
- Ending racism and First Nations inequality in the workplace
- growing, attracting and retaining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce and leadership
- being an employer of choice for First Nations people
In 2025 KEO Care commenced formal work towards growing our LGBTIQA+ inclusivity. Team members from our Quality and Projects team participated in Rainbow Health Australia’s 6-week training course and shared these learnings with the organisation.
In 2026, KEO Care will establish our first Pride Change Group and started developing our LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Action Plan.
We are committed to:
- promoting LGTBIQA+ inclusion and celebrating LGBTIQA+ culture as a service provider
- ending homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and LGBTIQA+ inequality in the workplace
- growing, attracting and retaining our LGBTIQA+ workforce and leadership
- being an employer of choice for LGBTIQA+ Victorians
KEO Care continues to build on our commitment for gender equality in the workplace. In 2025 we completed a review of our workplace gender equality conditions and from 2026 onwards will be submitting an annual report to the Australian Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency.
We are committed to:
- promoting gender inclusion and representation in the workplace and as a service provider
- holding our leaders accountable for championing gender equality
- improving intersectional gender representation and inclusion
- normalising flexible work and support staff with caring responsibilities
- improving support and processes for staff who experience unacceptable behaviours, and
- reducing pay gaps
More details TBC
Processes
A key part of any inclusion initiative is to establish a diverse working group to lead change, ensuring representation from across teams, disciplines, and lived experiences.
Working Groups will create a Terms of Reference document to guide their processes, subject to approval from Senior Leadership.
The Terms of Reference for each Working Group will be guided by this template
Groups communicate progress at key milestones through staff updates, newsletters, and team meetings to maintain transparency and engagement.
Throughout the implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives, upcoming changes are to be communicated clearly across all levels of the organisation, including to key external stakeholders and to service users.
Senior leadership will provide direction, resources, and visible support to ensure accountability and confidence in implementation.
Evaluate and adjust approaches based on feedback, ensuring implementation remains responsive and meaningful.
Actively seek feedback from team members, participants, and partners about their experiences of inclusion within KEO Care.
Provide safe, accessible channels for feedback, which may include surveys, focus groups, and anonymous options.
Use feedback to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement, linking these to training or policy updates.
Commit to a culture of continual learning, where insights are shared openly, and changes are made in partnership with staff and the communities we support.
Comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.