Strategic Equality Plan Annual Review 2016 – 2017 

This document is the first Annual Progress Update against Estyn’s Strategic Equality Plan (SEP) and Equality Objectives 2016-2020 and covers the April 1st 2016 to March 31st 2017.

The SEP was published in April 2016 by Estyn following consideration of best practice, legal responsibilities and local discussions. Experience of the previous SEP was also used in planning the next four year plan. The SEP supports Estyn’s Equality Objectives and outlines key information about our equality, diversity and human rights activity. As well as fulfilling our duty under the Equality Act 2010, it considers a wide range of other legislation associated with equality and diversity.

The Equality 2010 Act general duty requires public bodies to have ‘due regard’ to the need to:

• eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, and victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by the Act
• advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not
• foster good relationships between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not
  

The SEP covers all the protected characteristics required by the Equality Act 2010:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage and civil partnership
• pregnancy and maternity
• race (including ethnic or national origin, colour or nationality)
• religion or belief (or lack of belief)
• sex and sexual orientation