Equality, diversity and inclusion resource
Good Practice Handbook for Education Providers
A practical resource supporting education and training providers to embed equality, diversity and inclusion, understand their responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 and respond to current Ofsted expectations.
About this resource
This handbook supports education and training providers to embed equality, diversity and inclusion in everyday practice. It is designed to help providers understand relevant responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010, including the Public Sector Equality Duty where it applies, and to consider how equality and inclusion are reflected in leadership, teaching, learning and organisational practice.
How does equality, diversity and inclusion apply to learning providers?
Schools, colleges, further education and skills providers and other learning organisations have important responsibilities for creating fair, inclusive and accessible learning environments. The Equality Act 2010 prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and includes duties to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. Public authorities, and organisations exercising public functions where applicable, must also have due regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty.
The Public Sector Equality Duty requires due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
Who is it for?
The handbook is particularly relevant to managers, leaders, governors, business support staff, teachers, trainers and others working directly with learners in further education, skills and work-based learning. It can also support wider education providers seeking practical approaches to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion.
Price: £50.00
Equality, inclusion and current inspection expectations
Ofsted's renewed Education Inspection Framework has applied to inspections from 10 November 2025. It covers registered early years settings, maintained schools, academies, non-association independent schools and further education and skills provision in England.
Under the current framework, inspectors assess the extent to which providers comply with relevant legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998, including the Public Sector Equality Duty where relevant.
Ofsted's current equality guidance explains that inspectors consider whether providers:
- prevent and respond appropriately to unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
- promote equality of opportunity
- make reasonable adjustments for disabled learners, staff and others where the duty applies
- foster positive relations and respect for protected characteristics
- recognise and challenge bullying and other unlawful behaviour appropriately.
Inspection arrangements and toolkits vary according to the type of education or skills provision. Providers should therefore use the current Ofsted framework, toolkit and operating guidance relevant to their setting rather than relying on historic inspection criteria.
This handbook provides practical activities and guidance to support reflection, planning and action. It should be used alongside current legislation, statutory guidance and the inspection requirements that apply to your organisation.
How to use this resource
This resource has been designed to be multi-functional and to support a range of organisational and learning needs. Its main purpose is to help learning providers:
- develop understanding of responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010
- support compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty where it applies
- identify and reduce barriers to participation, learning and inclusion
- strengthen approaches to preventing and responding to discrimination, harassment, victimisation and bullying
- consider reasonable adjustments and accessibility for disabled learners and staff
- promote equality of opportunity and foster good relations
- build understanding and respect for protected characteristics in ways appropriate to the setting and learners
- reflect on the experiences, participation and outcomes of different groups of learners
- embed equality, diversity and inclusion within leadership, teaching, learning, policies and everyday organisational practice.
The information in the pack is supplemented by activities designed to help users test their understanding and apply learning to their own organisation and learning environment. The activities can support preliminary thinking, planning, review and information gathering as part of a wider approach to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion.
Important: Legislation, statutory guidance and inspection arrangements can change. Providers should check the current requirements that apply to their type of provision and circumstances. This resource provides practical guidance and does not constitute legal advice.
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Good Practice Handbook for Education Providers: £50.00
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