BroadShield Diplomas Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy

This policy defines BroadShield’s approach to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across all aspects of diploma delivery, assessment, and employment.

Policy Overview

BroadShield is committed to promoting equality, eliminating discrimination, and fostering an inclusive environment where every learner and employee is treated with dignity and respect.

This policy defines BroadShield’s approach to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) across all aspects of diploma delivery, assessment, and employment.

BroadShield believes that diversity strengthens learning, innovation, and professional growth. Every learner has the right to participate fully and succeed on equal terms.

Purpose and Scope

This policy sets out how BroadShield ensures equality of opportunity and inclusion for all learners, staff, and employers engaged in diploma programmes.

It applies to:

All BroadShield employees, contractors, and assessors.
All learners enrolled on BroadShield diploma programmes.
All employer partners involved in diploma delivery or learner support.

The policy complements and operates alongside:

BSQPDip005 Safeguarding, Welfare and Prevent Policy
BSQPDip006 Quality Assurance and Delivery Standards Policy
BSQPDip002 Data Protection and Privacy Policy
BSQPDip003 Complaints and Appeals Policy

Legal and Regulatory Framework

BroadShield complies with the following UK legislation and standards:

Equality Act 2010
Human Rights Act 1998
Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001
UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
Ofqual General Conditions of Recognition
VTCT awarding body policies and guidance relating to equality, diversity, reasonable adjustments, and special consideration

Under the Equality Act 2010, BroadShield upholds protection for the following nine protected characteristics:

Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Marriage and civil partnership
Pregnancy and maternity
Race
Religion or belief
Sex
Sexual orientation

No learner, employee, or partner will receive less favourable treatment or be disadvantaged because of any of these characteristics.

Commitment to Equality and Inclusion

BroadShield will:

Provide equal access to learning, assessment, and employment opportunities.
Promote a culture of respect, dignity, and fairness for all.
Remove barriers that may disadvantage individuals or groups.
Ensure all materials, systems, and communications are inclusive and accessible.
Make and apply reasonable adjustments and special consideration in line with Ofqual and VTCT requirements.
Monitor participation and outcomes to identify and address inequality.
Act promptly to address discrimination, harassment, or victimisation.

Inclusion is embedded into every aspect of delivery, from recruitment and enrolment to learning design, assessment, and learner support.

Roles and Responsibilities

All staff and contractors are required to have due regard to this policy when planning, delivering, or supporting diploma programmes.

Inclusive Delivery and Assessment

BroadShield ensures that:

Course materials are written in inclusive, bias-free language.
Digital content is, as far as reasonably practicable, accessible to all learners (including screen-reader compatibility and alternative formats on request).
Assessment methods are fair, reliable, transparent, and inclusive, in line with awarding-body standards.
Reasonable adjustments and special considerations are provided where required, in line with Ofqual and VTCT policies and BroadShield’s own procedures.
Learners and employers are informed about how to request reasonable adjustments or special consideration and any supporting evidence required.
Tutors and assessors receive ongoing training in inclusive assessment, unconscious bias, and accessible delivery.

Where an adjustment cannot be agreed because it would compromise the integrity of the qualification, BroadShield will explain the reasons clearly to the learner and/or employer and confirm the decision in writing where appropriate.

Equality Data and Monitoring

BroadShield monitors equality data in areas such as:

Enrolment and access to programmes.
Learner progress and retention.
Achievement and outcomes.
Complaints and appeals related to equality, discrimination, or accessibility.

Findings are:

Reviewed at least annually by the Learning and Development Manager and SMT.
Used to inform the Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).
Reported within BroadShield’s internal Self-Assessment Report (SAR).

Where patterns of inequality or potential discrimination are identified, BroadShield will agree and implement targeted actions to address them.

Raising Concerns and Complaints

Concerns relating to discrimination, harassment, victimisation, or unfair treatment are handled under the Complaints and Appeals Policy (BSQPDip003).

All complaints are treated confidentially, investigated promptly, and outcomes are recorded for audit and improvement purposes. Learners and employers will be signposted to VTCT’s own complaints and appeals routes where appropriate.

Links with Safeguarding and Welfare

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are integral to learner welfare and safety.

All learners must be treated fairly and supported appropriately, particularly those at risk or requiring reasonable adjustments, as detailed in the Safeguarding, Welfare, and Prevent Policy (BSQPDip005) and other learner support procedures.

Any safeguarding concerns arising from discriminatory or abusive behaviour will be escalated through BroadShield’s safeguarding procedures.

Training and Awareness

All BroadShield employees and contractors receive EDI training during induction and regular refreshers.
EDI principles are reinforced in tutor development sessions, learner communications, and company-wide updates.
Training content reflects current equality legislation, Ofqual expectations, and VTCT requirements.
Training records are retained in line with the Data Protection and Privacy Policy (BSQPDip002).

Monitoring and Review

This policy is reviewed at least annually by the Learning and Development Manager and approved by the SMT.

Updates will be made sooner if required by:

Changes in legislation or regulatory requirements.
VTCT or Ofqual guidance and conditions.
Outcomes from quality reviews, monitoring, complaints, or audits.

Approved by: AC

Issue Date: November 2025 | Version: 1.0