The Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) came into force in April 2011. The majority of public authorities and all those bodies carrying out public functions, including private organisations and charities, must legally comply.
- Are you a Public Body or do you do business with one?
- Can you prove that equality and diversity are fully embedded into all your practices?
- Did you know that any member of the public has the right and means to check whether you are legally compliant?
- Are you aware that you cannot delegate the responsibility, it lies with you?
- Are you aware that proof of good equality practice will become an integral part of Public Sector and supply chain procurement?
- And that this may well be rigorously enforced retrospectively by the new Government Procurement Service?
- Don't ignore your responsibilities until it's too late and you risk losing out in the tender process!
Public Bodies and other organisations have to comply with the 'General Duty' which requires them to have due regard to:
- Eliminate discrimination
- Advance equality of opportunity
- Foster good relations between protected groups and others
- To publish annually, starting no later than 31 January 2012, April 2012 for schools, information demonstrating their compliance with the General Duty
- To publish by April 2012, and then every four years, one or more specific and measurable objectives to advance one or more of the General Duties
- Through the Courts by judicial review of a decision by a public body brought by an interested individual or group
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcement using its public tool kit, legal action and compliance notices
- The Government has stated it will drive equality through Public Sector Procurement.
- From April 2012 the Government Procurement Service is likely to ensure robust proof of equality outcomes are included in the pre-qualification and tender process and this will probably be applied retrospectively
- This compliance and proof of equality outcomes will be driven down the supply-chain
- This is a mainstream responsibility that must be driven by management, with understanding at all levels within an organisation with accountability at key levels
- The UKCAE Pathway uniquely delivers awareness and understanding from the bottom up; requires management approval from the top down; assesses practice; is not prescriptive; provides a range of solutions and advice; and measures achievement and outcome
- Be prepared, ensure you have a robust equality programme
- Do not avoid it by delegating
- The Duty is not a tick-box exercise
- Join UKCAE and ensure your organisation and your supply-chain can provide clear measured and independently validated proof of PSED equality outcomes
To find out more about UKCAE and the UKCAE Pathway, or if you want to discuss any of these issues please contact us now: jock@ukcae.com
The UKCAE Equality Mark
Independently audited proof of good equality practice. For further details please contact jock@ukcae.com or call 07845 492242.
Breaking News
UKCAE is a Founder Member of the Association of Equality Scheme Providers (AESP)
UKCAE Pathway
Download the UKCAE Business Case - a 3-step equality tool (PDF 1.2mb)
Download the UKCAE Business Case for the Third Sector (PDF 1.2mb)
Public Sector Equality Duty
Introduction to The Equality Duty (external website)
Download Procurement and the UKCAE Pathway (PDF 288Kb)
Download the Government Equalities Office General Equality Duty guide (PDF 324Kb)
Legislation Updates
Equality and Diversity
Read Jock Chalmers' regular blogs on Equality and Diversity in the HRReview Blog (external website)