EDI in Charity Recruitment | Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Equity, diversity and inclusion: more than a tick box

At Charisma, EDI is integral to everything we do, not an afterthought

EDI integral to everything we do.

For us, equity, diversity and inclusion is not a policy in a filing cabinet or a statement on a website. It is woven into every stage of every recruitment campaign we run, and it has been since we started in 2002.

We put EDI at the heart of our induction and ongoing CPD, including unconscious bias and inclusivity training for our whole team. And we carry that commitment into our work with clients, actively advising on inclusive processes, challenging requirements that unintentionally exclude strong candidates, and applying structured techniques to minimise unconscious bias at every stage.

Because we believe that the most effective organisations are built on diversity of thought, experience and background. And we are here to help you build them.</p>Best industry practice for the best recruitment experience

It begins with our internal processes. We put equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) at the heart of our induction and CPD, including unconscious bias and inclusivity training for our whole team. We can also support you to make sure your own EDI strategy is so much more than a tick box exercise.

Our placements speak for themselves

We don't just talk about EDI - our statistics show we walk the walk.

Equity is integral, not an add-on.

As an ethical, values-focused recruiter, EDI is a crucial part of what we do. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and adjust our processes to accommodate everyone.

It's not just to meet a legal obligation, though obviously that's important. Beyond your duties under the Equality Act (2010), EDI is also vital for diversity of thought, creativity, and worldview within your organisation. A fair, equal, and safe workplace also contributes to your employees' wellbeing, which in turn helps with retention.

In short, it's an all-round no-brainer.

What we do

Equity, diversity and inclusion best practice is integral to our approach, and never a bolt-on. Here is what that looks like in practice:

We provide regular CPD, including training on how to recognise and minimise unconscious bias
We shape adverts and candidate packs using inclusive language
We use structured interview techniques to minimise unconscious bias
We actively challenge entry requirements and keywords that could unintentionally exclude certain groups
We build our talent pool by proactively engaging with diverse groups and underrepresented communities
We network with underrepresented groups - and if the opportunity is not there, we create it ourselves
We are proud signatories of the We Show the Salary campaign, because salary transparency reduces the ask gap and creates a fairer recruitment process for everyone

As consultants, part of our role is to gently challenge clients when they inadvertently create barriers to people applying. We focus on the skills and experience that are essential for the role, rather than reverting to yardsticks of privilege. We help you evaluate candidates based on their character, skills, and experience, not their background or personal characteristics.

We are here to shape a successful future for everyone, not just the people who look, sound and act like us. Wouldn't the world be a boring place if we were all the same?

Get in touch to discuss how we can help you push your EDI approach beyond the tick box.

Why Charisma?

Sector expertise

With more than 20 years of sector specific experience, we bring an unparalleled understanding of the unique challenges, complexities, and opportunities within the charity and not for profit landscape. Every member of our consultant team has first-hand experience working in the sector, enabling them to apply their extensive subject matter expertise and authentic insight to every partnership.

Extensive network

Our highly experienced Talent Managers deliver proactive, precision-driven talent acquisition by combining expert headhunting with the reach of our national candidate database. Leveraging our extensive networks, we cast the net far wider than traditional recruitment methods, enabling us to identify, approach, and engage high calibre talent, including those not actively looking for new opportunities.

Candidate care

We prioritise the candidate journey, ensuring personalised support and communication, and a positive experience, regardless of the outcome of their application.

Senior led recruitment

You will have direct access to your lead Consultant, ensuring you receive personalised and responsive support at every stage of the recruitment process. Your assignment will be handled by an experienced specialist, and never passed down to a junior researcher, so you benefit from consistent expertise, informed decision making, and a high quality service throughout.

Ethical recruitment practices

We are committed to honest, transparent recruitment. We only put forward candidates who are a genuine fit for your organisation and the role. Our recruitment processes are built to uphold our own values while fully aligning with yours, ensuring every stage reflects a shared commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Outcomes focused

We have been doing this since 2002, and we are proud to maintain an 84% repeat and recommendation client portfolio and have a 100% success rate placing exclusive appointments.

Meet the team