Equal Opportunities Policy

1. Our commitment

EDU Archives Tutors is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across every part of our service. We do not discriminate, directly or indirectly, on the basis of any protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 — age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We also recognise that meaningful equality requires more than non-discrimination. We actively work to remove barriers, support underrepresented groups, and build a candidate and client base that reflects the communities we serve.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• Recruitment, registration and placement of candidates
• Tutoring and mentoring services to families
• Staffing and supply services to schools and other settings
• Treatment of employees, contractors, candidates, clients, parents and learners
• Marketing, communications and the language we use

3. Recruitment and selection

Our recruitment and placement processes are designed to be objective, fair and consistent:

• Anonymised initial sift on application materials where possible
• Structured interviews using role-relevant criteria
• Multiple decision-makers on permanent placement decisions
• Reasonable adjustments at every stage of the process and in the workplace, on request
• Decisions documented with rationale, available on request to candidates

4. Indirect discrimination and adjustments

We assess our processes regularly for indirect discrimination — apparently neutral practices that disadvantage a particular group. Where we identify a barrier, we adjust unless the practice is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.

We make reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates and learners under section 20 of the Equality Act 2010 — including but not limited to: alternative interview formats, written materials in accessible formats, adjustments to working hours and environment, and (where the placement allows) adjustments to the role itself.

5. Positive action

Where evidence shows that a group with a protected characteristic is underrepresented in a particular role, sector or career stage, we may use positive action under sections 158–159 of the Equality Act 2010 — for example, targeted outreach, mentoring or career development programmes. Positive action is never positive discrimination: appointments are always made on merit.

6. Harassment and victimisation

Harassment, victimisation and third-party harassment are prohibited under this policy and our Harassment & Anti-Bullying Policy. We investigate complaints promptly and take appropriate action — up to and including removal from our register, termination of contract, and referral to regulators.

7. Monitoring

We monitor candidate and placement data on protected characteristics on an anonymous, voluntary basis. Aggregated trends are reviewed annually by the leadership team to identify under-representation, pay gaps, or progression disparities. We commit to transparency about what we find and what we change.

8. Training

All staff complete equality and diversity training on induction and annually thereafter. Recruitment-facing staff receive additional unconscious bias and inclusive recruitment training.

9. Concerns and complaints

Anyone who believes they have been discriminated against, harassed or victimised in connection with EDU Archives Tutors can raise it under our Complaints Policy, our Harassment & Anti-Bullying Policy, or via our Whistleblowing Policy. Concerns are taken seriously and investigated promptly.

10. Review

Reviewed annually and after any equality-related complaint or change in legislation.