The Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) came into force in April 2011. The majority of public authorities and all those bodies carrying out public functions, including private organisations and charities, must legally comply.

Are you a Public Body or do you do business with one?
Can you prove that equality and diversity are fully embedded into all your practices?
Did you know that any member of the public has the right and means to check whether you are legally compliant?
Are you aware that you cannot delegate the responsibility, it lies with you?
Are you aware that robust proof of good equality practice and training is now a key requirement of the PSED and Public Sector and supply chain procurement?
And that this may well be rigorously enforced retrospectively by the new Government Procurement Service?
Don't ignore your responsibilities until it's too late and you risk losing out in the tender process!
Join the United Kingdom Council for Access and Equality (UKCAE) now! The UKCAE Pathway enables your organisation to comply with its Public Sector Equality Duties

Compliance with the 'General Duty'

Public Bodies and other organisations have to comply with the 'General Duty' which requires them to have due regard to:

Eliminate discrimination
Advance equality of opportunity
Foster good relations between protected groups and others

Some organisations have further 'Specific Duties' which were approved and published by Parliament on 10 September 2011

To publish annually, starting no later than 31 January 2012, April 2012 for schools, information demonstrating their compliance with the General Duty
To publish by April 2012, and then every four years, one or more specific and measurable objectives to advance one or more of the General Duties

If these are legal requirements how will they be enforced?

Through the Courts by judicial review of a decision by a public body brought by an interested individual or group
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcement using its public tool kit, legal action and compliance notices

How will they really be enforced?

The Government has stated it will drive equality through Public Sector Procurement.
From April 2012 the Government Procurement Service is likely to ensure robust proof of equality outcomes are included in the pre-qualification and tender process and this will probably be applied retrospectively
This compliance and proof of equality outcomes will be driven down the supply-chain

So how do you make sure you comply with these legal requirements and protect your Public Sector procurement?

Procurement pre-qualification contracts now require detailed proof of guidance and training on equality and eliminating discrimination for employees and third-party suppliers
This is a mainstream responsibility that must be driven by management, with understanding at all levels within an organisation with accountability at key levels
The UKCAE Pathway uniquely delivers awareness and understanding from the bottom up; requires management approval from the top down; assesses practice and requires integral training; is not prescriptive; provides a range of solutions and advice; and measures achievement and outcome

Act now!

Be prepared, ensure you have a robust equality programme
Do not avoid it by delegating
The Duty is not a tick-box exercise
Join UKCAE and ensure your organisation and your supply-chain can provide clear measured and independently validated proof of complying with the PSED and its equality outcomes

To find out more about UKCAE and the UKCAE Pathway, or if you want to discuss any of these issues please contact us now: info@thresholdinitiative.com

The UKCAE Equality Mark

Independently audited proof of good equality practice. For further details please contact info@thresholdinitiative.com or call 020 7368 6969.

Breaking News

Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) begins to assess legal compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty.
Read the full article.

EU Accessibility Act 2012. "This business-friendly initiative will include binding measures to promote procurement and harmonisation of accessibility standards".
Read the full article.