Legal Requirements
The Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) is a legal requirement under the Equality Act 2010, for public authorities to consider how their actions affect people with different protected characteristics, which includes sex and gender.
Schools therefore have a duty to:
- Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010.
- Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it
- Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
Scottish Specific Duties
As individual listed bodies, local education authorities are required by the Scottish-Specific Duties under the Equality Act 2010, to do the following:
- As employers and service providers, publish a mainstreaming report and set equality outcomes
- As employers, publish their gender pay gap and occupational segregation information in line with reporting schedules
Local authorities can draw on schools’ progress to tackle gender equality and gender-based violence (GBV) to help demonstrate their progress under the Duties. This may include:
- Addressing manifestations of gender inequality in their staff environment and structures, for example looking at gender balance in senior roles, and the impact of gendered norms and expectations affecting male and female teachers.
- Using ESAS tools and the Improving Gender Balance and Equalities resources as a tangible means of mainstreaming gender equality across all school systems and structures and achieving demonstrable outcomes (such as improved staff capacity and capability, competent policies, strengthened curriculum, and greater pupil voice in relation to gender inequality).
Equally Safe at Work Accreditation Programme
Close the Gap has developed an Employer Accreditation to support employers to improve their employment practice by advancing gender equality at work and preventing violence against women. Equally Safe at Work includes a range of useful resources including guidance for line managers on violence against women at work.
