Lorna Carson

Experienced and dedicated Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer with over 20 years of experience in providing specialist advice and support across various departments, including Health and Safety, Legal, Registry, and Student Services. Skilled in mediation and conciliation to help resolve conflicts and prevent formal grievances and committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for both staff and students, with a strong focus on continuous improvement and strategic growth. Currently working as an Administrator, acting as the first point of contact for service users, providing support both by telephone and in person while maintaining strict confidentiality and demonstrating strong organisational skills.

Administrator - CGL Leamington - Leamington

(2025-12)

• Prepare accurate and timely prescriptions in collaboration with keyworkers and clinicians, following Prescription Change Forms.
• Coordinate and process fortnightly batch runs for Leamington and Stratford, ensuring accuracy, secure handling, and a complete audit trail.
• Void prescriptions and cancel clinic appointments when required, maintaining accurate records.
• Manage clinician clinic calendars, including booking appointments for existing service users, new referrals, and prison release cases.
• Oversee ordering of essential supplies, including stationery and clinical items (e.g. needle exchange materials, prescriptions, and testing kits), ensuring continuity of service.
• Produce clear and concise meeting minutes, distributing them promptly to relevant staff.
• Carry out routine health and safety checks, including refrigeration temperature monitoring, fire alarm testing, and general building inspections.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer - Coventry University - Coventry

(2003-04 - 2025-03)

Over 20 years of experience providing specialist advice and support across various departments including Health and Safety, Legal, Registry, and Student Services. Skilled in mediation and conciliation to help resolve conflicts and prevent formal grievances.

• Diversity in the Workplace: Developed and implemented initiatives to enhance workplace diversity, fostering an inclusive environment, including leading the field in 2004 to develop an online training package with an external training firm which was then rolled out to the Higher Education Sector.
• LGBTQ+ Collaboration: Partnered with universities to support LGBTQ+ initiatives and cross-collaborative projects, worked with Stonewall to produce action plans to further the University's Sexual Orientation goals.
• Procedural Review: Conducted comprehensive reviews of procedures, including consultation and education to ensure inclusivity, this included the transition to the Equality Act and Public Sector Equality Duty.
• Equality Impact Assessments (EIA): Led EIAs to assess and mitigate the impact of policies and practices on diverse groups, including development of the EIA format within the University and delivering training on how to conduct EIAs.
• Dignity and Respect: Established the Dignity and Respect program, initially for staff and later expanded to include students to combat bullying and harassment. Coordinated and supported Dignity and Respect Advisors, organizing regular meetings and addressing queries to enhance workplace harmony.
• Specialist EDI Advice: Provide expert guidance on EDI matters to the people team, Health and Safety, Legal, Registry, Student Services, and other departments, ensuring an impartial perspective.
• Mediation and Conciliation: mediating conflicts and facilitating discussions between staff and line managers, significantly reducing the number of formal grievances and complaints.
• Legislative and Societal Awareness: Kept up to date with new case law, equality legislation, and societal changes, providing relevant and timely advice to support the organization's global growth and EDI strategy.
• Strategic EDI Initiatives: Assisted in developing and implementing the EDI strategy, organizing and facilitating workshops, training sessions, and contributing to the annual EDI report.
• Support for Staff Networks and Councils: Facilitated the establishment and continuity of staff networks and equality councils, providing guidance and interim leadership during transitions.

Administration Officer - Orbit Housing Association

Customer Sales Assistant - Rowfers

Mortgage Assistant - Abbey National Mortgage Finance

Data Input Officer - Green Flag

Warehouse Assistant - Employment Agency

Data Input Officer - Amalgamated Foods

Warehouse Assistant - Employment Agency

Spanish Translator - Hylands Hotel

GCE O-Level - Lutterworth Grammar School

Friends' School, Lisburn