Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy

1. Purpose

Qualify Nation® is committed to promoting equality, valuing diversity, and fostering an inclusive learning environment for all learners, staff, and stakeholders.

This policy sets out how we meet our obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and ensure that no learner, member of staff, or applicant is treated less favourably on the basis of a protected characteristic. It also describes the proactive measures we take to remove barriers to learning and create a culture where every learner can succeed.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded in everything we do — from platform design and course content through to assessment, recruitment, and learner support.

2. Who This Policy Applies To

• All learners enrolled on Qualify Nation® programmes, including apprentices
• All prospective learners and applicants
• All staff, contractors, tutors, assessors, associates, and volunteers
• All partners delivering programmes under the Qualify Nation Framework (QNF)
• All activities conducted through the Qualify Nation® platform and communication channels

3. Legal Framework

This policy is informed by:

• The Equality Act 2010, including the Public Sector Equality Duty (Section 149), which Qualify Nation® observes as good practice
• The Human Rights Act 1998
• The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018, in relation to equality monitoring data
• The Education Inspection Framework (Ofsted)
• ESFA funding rules and apprenticeship conditions
• The Prevent Duty Guidance

4. Protected Characteristics

Under the Equality Act 2010, it is unlawful to discriminate against any person on the basis of the following nine protected characteristics:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origins)
• Religion or belief (including lack of religion or belief)
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

Qualify Nation® does not tolerate direct or indirect discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on any of these grounds. This applies to all interactions within the platform, all communications, and all decisions relating to admissions, assessment, support, and progression.

5. Our Commitments

5.1 Eliminating Discrimination

• No learner, applicant, or member of staff will be treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic
• Recruitment, admissions, assessment, and progression decisions are based on merit, ability, and achievement
• We maintain zero tolerance for harassment, bullying, and discrimination, with clear reporting and enforcement procedures
• Automated content moderation on learner-facing discussion areas detects and prevents discriminatory or abusive language
• Course content is reviewed during development to ensure it is free from bias, stereotypes, and discriminatory assumptions

5.2 Advancing Equality of Opportunity

• Admissions processes do not impose unnecessary barriers. Entry requirements are based on the skills and knowledge needed to succeed, not on prior qualifications where these are not genuinely required
• Learners are supported to achieve regardless of their starting point through flexible self-paced study, AI-powered tutoring, and accessible learning materials
• Career support (CV building, interview coaching, job matching) is available equally to all learners through the Grow platform
• Equality monitoring data is collected at enrolment (with consent) and analysed to identify gaps in participation, achievement, and progression

5.3 Fostering Good Relations

• Course content promotes understanding and respect across diverse perspectives, including specific modules addressing algorithmic bias, fairness, and the social impact of technology
• Moderated discussion spaces create safe environments for learners to participate without fear of ridicule
• British Values — mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs — are embedded in programme delivery

6. Accessibility

Qualify Nation® treats accessibility as a core design principle, not an afterthought.

6.1 Platform Standards

• All platform services are designed and tested to meet WCAG 2.2 AA compliance
• A mandatory accessibility audit is completed before any course goes live, covering captions, transcripts, alt text, colour contrast, keyboard navigation, and document structure

6.2 Built-In Accessibility Controls

Every page of the platform includes a built-in accessibility panel that learners can configure independently, without needing to request adjustments or disclose a disability:

• Text size adjustment (Default, Large, Extra Large)
• Contrast modes (Default, High Contrast, Dark, Inverted)
• Dyslexia-friendly font
• Adjustable line height and letter spacing
• Link highlighting for visual navigation
• Reading guide overlay
• Enhanced focus indicators for keyboard navigation
• Large cursor option
• Animation suppression

These controls are proactive. Learners can adjust the platform to suit their needs at any time without requiring approval, assessment, or disclosure.

6.3 Reasonable Adjustments

In addition to the built-in controls, Qualify Nation® will make reasonable adjustments for individual learners where the standard provision is not sufficient. Reasonable adjustments may include:

• Additional time for assessments
• Alternative assessment formats where appropriate and consistent with learning outcomes
• Modifications to proctoring arrangements where standard conditions create a barrier
• Additional tutor support or check-ins
• Provision of materials in alternative formats

Learners can request reasonable adjustments by contacting the support team at any point during their programme. Requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis and documented. Adjustments will not compromise the integrity of the assessment or the standard required for the qualification.

7. Equality Monitoring

7.1 Data Collection

Qualify Nation® collects equality monitoring data at enrolment on a voluntary and confidential basis, covering age, sex, ethnicity, disability, and religion or belief.

Learners are informed of the purpose of data collection, that it is voluntary, and that it will be used only for aggregate monitoring and service improvement. Data is processed under UK GDPR in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

7.2 Monitoring and Analysis

Equality monitoring data is reviewed quarterly, examining:

• Enrolment rates by protected characteristic group
• Achievement and completion rates by group
• Withdrawal and non-completion rates by group
• Complaints and safeguarding incidents by group
• Reasonable adjustment requests

7.3 Action Planning

Where monitoring identifies a gap, disparity, or concern, specific and measurable actions are developed, recorded in the Quality Improvement Plan, and assessed at the next quarterly review. The annual Self-Assessment Report includes a dedicated section on EDI performance, trends, and improvement actions.

8. EDI in Course Content and Delivery

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded in curriculum design and delivery:

• Inclusive language is required across all content
• Course content is reviewed to ensure examples, case studies, imagery, and scenarios represent diverse perspectives and do not reinforce stereotypes
• Modules covering ethics, bias, and responsible AI directly address algorithmic fairness and the impact of technology on different demographic groups
• Assessment briefs are reviewed to ensure they do not disadvantage learners from particular backgrounds

9. Reporting Discrimination, Harassment, or Bias

9.1 How to Report

Any learner, member of staff, or stakeholder who experiences or witnesses discrimination, harassment, bullying, or bias can report it through:

• The Complaints & Escalation process
• The Designated Safeguarding Lead (where the incident involves a welfare risk)
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +44 7426 985335

Reports can be made by the person affected or by a witness. Anonymous reports are accepted and investigated where there is sufficient information to do so.

9.2 How Reports Are Handled

• All reports are taken seriously and investigated promptly
• Reports are handled confidentially, with information shared only with those who need to know
• The person reporting will not be penalised for making a good-faith report
• Where discrimination or harassment is substantiated, action will be taken which may include warnings, suspension of platform access, or permanent exclusion
• Where the report involves a criminal offence, Qualify Nation® will cooperate with the police

9.3 Timelines

• Acknowledgement: 2 working days
• Investigation and response: 10 working days
• Escalation review (if needed): 20 working days

Where a report involves a safeguarding concern, safeguarding timelines take precedence (acknowledgement within 1 working day; immediate action where there is risk of harm).

10. Training

• All staff involved in learner-facing activity complete EDI awareness training as part of induction, before commencing delivery
• EDI training is refreshed annually
• Training covers the Equality Act 2010, protected characteristics, unconscious bias, inclusive language, reasonable adjustments, and how to report concerns
• The Designated Safeguarding Lead receives additional training on the intersection of safeguarding and discrimination

11. Review

This policy is reviewed:

• Annually (minimum)
• Following any substantiated complaint of discrimination or harassment
• Following changes to legislation, government guidance, or Ofsted requirements
• Following any significant change in the learner profile or monitoring data trends

12. Contact

Questions about this policy, requests for reasonable adjustments, or reports of discrimination:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 7426 985335
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00AM – 5:00PM

For safeguarding concerns involving discrimination or hate crime, contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead directly (details in the Safeguarding & Prevent Policy).

Qualify Nation® is a registered trademark of Group Everest Ltd (Company No: 10588069, UKPRN: 10099377).