1. Statement of Commitment

CHE Health and Wellbeing Ltd is committed to equal opportunities for all staff, students, patients and visitors. All admissions and employment decisions are based on merit and the legitimate needs of the organisation. CHE does not discriminate on the basis of any of the nine protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010:

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

CHE values diversity and believes the organisation benefits from engaging students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds. All individuals are treated with respect and dignity and have the right to an environment free from discrimination, harassment or victimisation.

2. Legal Framework

• Equality Act 2010: the primary UK legislation prohibiting discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
• Human Rights Act 1998: protecting the right to education (Protocol 1, Article 2) and freedom from discrimination (Article 14).

3. Forms of Prohibited Conduct

• Direct discrimination: treating someone less favourably because of a protected characteristic.
• Indirect discrimination: applying a provision, criterion or practice that disproportionately disadvantages those with a protected characteristic without objective justification.
• Harassment: unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic that violates dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
• Victimisation: treating someone unfairly because they have made or supported a complaint of discrimination.
• Failure to make reasonable adjustments: failing to take steps to remove barriers for disabled individuals.

4. Responsibilities

4.1 Senior Management Team

The Senior Management Team is responsible for developing, implementing and reviewing this policy. The Managing Director has overall responsibility for ensuring the organisation operates within a framework of equal opportunity.

4.2 All Staff

All staff at every level must not discriminate against, harass or victimise fellow staff, students, patients, applicants or contractors. Staff who witness apparent instances of discrimination must bring these to the Managing Director’s attention.

4.3 Students

Students are expected to respect the equal opportunities principles of this policy in all their interactions within CHE. Discriminatory behaviour by students may result in disciplinary action.

5. Equal Opportunity in Admissions

All applicants are assessed solely on their aptitude, ability and motivation to benefit from the programme. The Admissions Policy sets out the fair and transparent procedures applied to all applicants. Reasonable adjustments will be made for applicants with disclosed support needs.

6. Equal Opportunity in Employment

Job advertisements will accurately describe the role and will not restrict the audience by reference to any protected characteristic. Selection criteria will be based solely on requirements that are necessary and justifiable for the role. Recruitment decisions are made on objective merit grounds only. All staff are given equal consideration for training, career development and promotion.

7. Equal Opportunity in Study Provision

CHE is committed to making all educational services accessible to all students. All reasonable adjustments will be made to accommodate different needs, including those arising from disability, in compliance with the Equality Act 2010.

8. Monitoring & Review

CHE will monitor its practices regularly to assess compliance with this policy and identify areas for improvement. This policy is reviewed annually by the Senior Management Team.

9. Complaints

Any person who believes they have been subjected to discrimination, harassment or victimisation in breach of this policy should raise the matter using CHE’s Complaints Policy. Complaints will be investigated promptly, confidentially and impartially.