Foundation Level of the
Equality Standard
Overview
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Background
UK Equality Standard
Foundation Level Requirements
Timeline
Background
• sportscotland’s commitment to the standard including
Plan4Sport appointment to 31st March 2013, followed by
a potential further two annual contacts, subject to review
and appraisal.
• All SGBS have to achieve their target level of the Equality
Standard.
• Equality policies - all SGBs need to update their policies
this financial year; guidance and templates are available.
• Support from Plan4Sport is based on agreed timelines;
budget has been set aside based on those timelines.
Support has been agreed, anything additional will be at
the SGB expense.
UK Equality Standard
 The Standard is a framework for assisting sports
organisations to widen access and reduce
inequalities in sport and physical activity from
under represented individuals, groups and
communities.
 ‘Owned’ by the five Sports Councils.
 Launched in 2004 and revised in 2012.
Equality overview
 Legislation – Equality Act 2010.
 Applies to employers and service providers.
 sportscotland additional duties as a public sector
organisation.
Equality Act 2010
• All employers and service providers have a
responsibility under the law to treat their
employees and service users fairly.
• You are a service provider if you provide goods,
facilities or services to the general public or
section of it, regardless of whether these are free
or paid for
The Act is there to protect people from
discrimination:
• At work or when using a service
• When they take part in the activities of a club,
society or association,
• so they can be sure that they are not being
harmed by other people’s stereotypes or
prejudices.
Protected characteristics
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Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Marriage and civil partnership
Pregnancy and maternity
Race
Religion and belief
Sex
Sexual orientation
Prohibited conduct
• Discrimination – direct or indirect
• Harassment
• Victimisation
Reasonable adjustments
Duty to make reasonable adjustments to remove
barriers for disabled people.
Bringing about equality for disabled people may
mean:
1. changing the way in which services are
delivered
2. providing extra equipment
3. and/or the removal of physical barriers.
Reasonable adjustments
If an adjustment is reasonable, you must pay for it.
You are not allowed to ask a disabled person to pay
for it, even if you have made it in response to their
request and even if it has cost you extra to provide
it.
Positive Action
We can take proportionate action to achieve one of
three legitimate aims:
• enabling or encouraging people to overcome or
minimise disadvantage
• meeting different needs
• enabling or encouraging participation.
Participation rates by underrepresented groups
 Certain groups are under-represented relative to
the national or local population statistics.
 Core should be groups that share protected
characteristics.
Participation rates by underrepresented groups
Benchmarking/data comparison
• Census 2011 – Scotland data available from Dec 2012.
• Age in 5 year bands and sex for Scotland and each Council area.
• Spring 2013 – rolling releases including religion and ethnic groups.
• Others later in 2013 e.g. sex and age by ethnic group.
What might Scotland census show?
• Increase of 7.1% in the population.
• Women – will stay roughly equal.
• Ethnic minorities – may increase but will not be equally spread
geographically.
• Disabilities – may increase.
Foundation Level of the Equality
Standard
• Foundation is “entry” level (goes to Preliminary,
Intermediate, Advanced)
• British Orienteering achieved Foundation Level (Jul 2007)
and Preliminary (Jun 2008)
• Scottish Orienteering Association target 31 Dec 2012
Foundation Level Criteria
Outcome 1: Your organisation demonstrates a clear
commitment to equality.
Outcome 2: Your organisation has a policy for equality
that has been communicated to staff (paid and unpaid),
board, coaches, officials and members/ participants.
Outcome 3: Your organisation is aware of its current
profile and position in terms of equality.
Progress to date
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Attended workshop with other SGB
Completed self-assessment template
Skype call and one-to-one
Set responsibility at highest level (SOA President)
Delivered briefing (now!)
Wider circulation of what we are doing (newsletter,
emails to Board and Staff)
• Draft policy circulated to Board
• Staff and Board audit (direct to Plan4Sport)
• Review HR Policies and Communications activities
To do list
• President’s Job Description to reflect responsibility for
equality
• Revised Policy to be approved by Board
• Revised Policy to be communicated to SOA by enewsletter, website and Score
• Plan4Sport to compile audit responses
• Professional Officer to communicate findings (as
appropriate) to staff
• Plan4Sport to send Audit and Communications template
to SOA once approved by sportscotland
• Skype call and assessment meeting
Further help and guidance
www.equalityhumanrights.com
www.equalitystandard.org
www.sportscotland.org.uk