A) Introduction

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1. We are an equal opportunities organisation. We are committed to equality of
opportunity and to providing a service and following practices which are free
from unfair and unlawful discrimination. The aim of this policy is to ensure that
no programme participant, member of staff, self-employed contractor or
volunteer, receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability,
gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity,
race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, or is disadvantaged by
conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be relevant to
performance. It seeks also to ensure that no person is victimised or subjected to
any form of bullying or harassment.

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2. We value people as individuals with diverse opinions, cultures, lifestyles and
circumstances. All employees, self-employed contractors and volunteers are
covered by this policy, and it applies to all areas of employment and self-
employment and volunteering, including recruitment, selection, training,
deployment, career development, and promotion. These areas are monitored,
and policies and practices are amended if necessary to ensure that no unfair or
unlawful discrimination, intentional, unintentional, direct or indirect, overt or
latent exists.

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3. The Charity Lead has responsibility for implementing and monitoring the
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy and, as part of this process, all personnel
policies and procedures are administered with the objective of promoting
equality of opportunity and eliminating unfair or unlawful discrimination.

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4. All employees, self-employed contractors and/ volunteers whether part time, full
time or temporary, will be treated fairly and with respect. Selection for
employment, self-employment and volunteering, promotion, training, or any
other benefit will be on the basis of aptitude and ability. All employees,
contractors, volunteers will be helped and encouraged to develop their full
potential, and the talents and resources of the workforce will be fully utilised to
maximise the efficiency of the organisation.

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5. Equality of opportunity, valuing diversity and compliance with the law is to the
benefit of all individuals in our organisation as it seeks to develop the skills and
abilities of its people. While specific responsibility for eliminating discrimination
and providing equality of opportunity lies with The Charity Lead, individuals at all
levels have a responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect. The personal
commitment of every employee, self- employed contractor and volunteer to this
policy and application of its principles are essential to eliminate discrimination
and provide equality throughout the organisation.

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B) Our commitment as an employer and contractor of self-employed resource & volunteers

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1. To create an environment in which individual differences and the contributions of our workers and volunteers are recognised and valued.

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2. Every employee, self-employed contractor, volunteer, is entitled to a working
environment that promotes dignity and respect to all. No form of intimidation, bullying or harassment will be tolerated.

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3. Training, development and progression opportunities are available to all.

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4. Equality in the workplace is good management practice and makes sound business
sense.

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5. We will keep under review all our employment, self-employment and volunteer
recruitment practices and procedures to ensure fairness.

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C) Our commitment as a service provider‍

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1. We aim to provide services to which all programme participants are entitled regardless of disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, offending past, caring responsibilities or social class.

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2. We will make sure that our services are delivered equally and meet the diverse needs of our programme participants.

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3. This policy will be monitored and reviewed annually.

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4. We are working to ensure that we have clear procedures that enable our commissioners (being predominantly schools and sports clubs) , candidates for jobs, volunteers, employees and contractors to raise a grievance or make a complaint if they feel they have been unfairly treated.

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5. Breaches of our equality, diversity & inclusion policy will be regarded as misconduct and could lead to disciplinary proceedings.

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D) Equal opportunities policy statements
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Age

We will:

• ensure that people of all ages are treated with respect and dignity.
• ensure that people of working age are given equal access to our employment, training, development and promotion opportunities; and
• challenge discriminatory assumptions about younger and older people.

Disability

We will:

• provide any reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people have access to our services, employment, self-employment and volunteering opportunities.
• challenge discriminatory assumptions about disabled people.

Race

We will:

• challenge racism wherever it occurs.
• respond swiftly and sensitively to racists incidents; and actively promote race equality in the organisation.

Gender

We will:

• challenge discriminatory assumptions about women and men;
• take positive action to redress the negative effects of discrimination against women and men;
• offer equal access for women and men to representation, services, employment, training and pay.

Sexual orientation

We will:

• ensure that we take account of the needs of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals; and
• be committed to ensuring that the LGBTQ+ community is made to feel welcome and included at all Behind Every Kick programmes.

Religion or belief

We will:

• ensure that religion or beliefs and related observances of employees, self-employed contractors and volunteers, are respected and accommodated wherever possible.
• respect people’s beliefs where the expression of those beliefs does not impinge on the legitimate rights of others.

Equal pay

We will:

• ensure that all employees, male or female, have the right to the same contractual pay and benefits for carrying out the same work, work rated as equivalent work or work of equal value.

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October 2024

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