Council of Reference

The Council of Reference is the first point of consultation for the Governing Body of United Kingdom Council for Access and Equality (UKCAE). The Council of Reference will ensure that the Pathway and the associated specifications meet the goals of helping deliver diversity and inclusion.

The Council will ensure that all nine protected groups are fairly represented. To this end the Council itself comprises Third Sector organisations who represent and work on behalf of all those covered by these nine strands: Age, Disability, Gender, Gender Re-Assignment, Marriage or Civil Partnership, Maternity and Paternity, Race, Religion and belief, Sexual Orientation.

The Council will assist in the formation of the Pathway by:

• providing advice and guidance to the Governing Board
• ensuring the Pathway helps deliver diversity and inclusion
• keeping the Governing Body abreast of any developments or new innovations within the six sectors which may have an effect on the Pathway

The current Chair of the Council of Reference is Sally Burton, Chief Executive of the Shaw Trust.