1st4sport Qualifications is committed to the principles and practices of equal opportunities, both as an employer and in the delivery of services. Employment opportunities, qualifications, products and services are available to all sections of the community. 1st4sport is committed to the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, colour, ability, sexuality, age, disability, occupation, ethnic or national origins, religion or political opinion.
Scope and Objectives
1st4sport will not tolerate either direct or indirect discrimination; thus, established procedures and systems for dealing with harassment, bullying, discipline and grievances have been developed.To ensure that the equal opportunities policy is operating effectively, 1st4sport will:
- ensure that the equal opportunities policy is communicated to all 1st4sport personnel via effective inductions, continuous development and appraisal systems
- ensure that the equal opportunities policy is communicated to all recognised centre personnel and candidates undertaking a qualification awarded by 1st4sport through their 1st4sport Candidate Packs, Tutor/Assessor/Verifier Guidance Packs and the Recognised Centre Handbook
- ensure that recognised centres sites where delivery and assessment may take place, through the process by which 1st4sport recognise centres, operate equal opportunities policies that are no less stringent than that of 1st4sport
- promote fair access to qualifications and ensure that all recognised centres are aware of and adhere to the 1st4sport access arrangements requirements
- encourage anyone who believes they have been discriminated against, or individuals discovering discrimination, to report any allegations through the appropriate channels. If unresolved at a local level, the matter should be reported to the 1st4sport Quality Management Team (QMT), to decide on the action to be taken and/or the need for an investigation (please refer to the information on Complaints Handling/Appeals Handling/Malpractice Arrangements, to be found on the Recognised Centre Resource CD-ROM)
- ensure all qualifications are developed and implemented promoting positive relations and attitudes between all candidates and by all qualification-related personnel
- recruit, train and deploy suitable external verifiers, to facilitate centre adherence to requirements via effective monitoring arrangements, maintaining established quality standards
- provide training for all members of personnel in the implementation and evaluation of the equal opportunities policy, to enable monitoring of the effectiveness of procedures to occur, taking action to ensure that they are maintained and improved
- maintain the quality records and analyse the qualitative and quantitative data of candidates' records (racial/ethnic origin, disability, age, gender), to provide the basis for appropriate action to eliminate unlawful direct and indirect discrimination and promote equality of opportunity
- review the effectiveness of the equal opportunities policy and related procedures in line with current legislation on a regular basis, taking prompt action to rectify any deficiencies that are identified, ensuring these are communicated to the centres and candidates.
The policy has been developed in line with current legislation (Sex Discrimination Act 1975, Race Relations Act 1976, Disability Discrimination Act 1995, Human Rights Act 1998, Equality Act 2006).
