The Equality Standard for Sport 2012
Introduction
The Standard is owned by the 5 Sports Councils through the Sports Councils Equality Group (SCEG). The first ever equality Standard for sport was launched in November 2004. It was last updated by SCEG in June 2012 to ensure it remained fit for purpose and reflected the latest equality legislation. All information on this page is the most up-to-date as it was produced as part of the June 2012 amendment.
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. It is based around two broad themes: developing your organisation and developing your services and four levels of achievement:
Foundation - your organisation is committed to equality
Preliminary - your organisation is clear about what it needs to do to achieve equality
Intermediate - your organisation is increasing opportunities for a diverse range of people
Advanced - your organisation offers fair and equal opportunities to its staff and the communities it serves.
This part of the site is designed to give you all the information you need on the Standard, to help you assess which level is most appropriate for your organisation and to assist you to progress towards it. It provides information and resources on the Standard and its different levels.
Equality Standard Logo
The Equality Standard logo can only be used with the permission of UK sport, or one of the home country sports councils. Permission for use will normally be granted once an organisation has achieved the foundation level of the Standard.
Copies of the logos associated with the Equality Standard are available from your home country sports council. There is an overarching Equality Standard logo and there is one logo for each level of the Standard.
Once your organisation has achieved a level of the Equality Standard, you can display the logo relevant to the level that you have achieved on your website and documentation.
Please consult the guidelines below for conditions of use:
Equality Standard logos: Guidelines on use. Sports Councils Equality Group, latest version January 2013 (6 pages)
Download a copy
Endorsements from the Home Country Sports Councils
The Equality Standard is a significant step towards making the provision of sport in the United Kingdom fair, just and equal. Each Home Country Sports Council and UK Sport endorses these aims.
View endorsements from:
UK Sport by Baroness Sue Campbell, Chair
Sport Wales by Professor Laura McAllister, Chair
Sport England by Richard Lewis, Chair
Sportscotland by Louise Martin CBE, Chair
Sport Northern Ireland by Brian Henning, Chair
Documentation
The following 9 documents have been produced to help you understand all aspects of the Standard and to make a submission for the relevant level.
- Guidance for sports organisations
- Guidance for Designated Support Lead (DSL)
- Guidance for Equality Standard Assessor (EQSA)
- Equality Standard requirements and evidence
- Equality Standard Assessment form Foundation level (March 2012)
- Equality Standard Assessment form Preliminary level (March 2012)
- Equality Standard Assessment form Intermediate level (March 2012)
- Equality Standard Assessment form Advanced level (March 2012)
- Glossary of terms
Best Practice
Alongside the documentation, examples of best practice have been identified to help in working towards the 4 levels. All of these are just examples of best practice and should not be copied verbatim, with the only change being to the organisation name. Organisations should use these as a guide, but must develop documentation that is relevant to themselves.
