The Equality Act 2010 (EqA) is designed to address
- the disadvantage and discrimination experienced by particular groups of people, and
- to provide a legal framework for addressing these inequalities.
The duties in this Act cover most aspects of our national life. They affect a wide range of responsibilities, including those of employers, landlords, service providers and education. There are duties that are owed to individuals and duties to plan more widely for increased equality of opportunity.
This guide provides a summary of
- what teachers need to know, and
- what schools need to do to prevent and address inequalities so they do not discriminate against disabled pupils.
It is important to recognise from the start that schools have a range of duties under this act. These duties are to staff, as employees
to parents and others, where the school is providing a service
to other people using the school; and to pupils, staff and others who share other protected characteristics as well as disability.
It is often more effective for schools to bring these duties together and embed them in wider school planning processes.