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Equality Act 2010Equality and Human Rights CommissionGovernment Equalities OfficeEquality Act guidance - UK GovernmentEquality Act guidance - ScotlandEasy read version of the Equality ActHow fair is Britain?Sport and DevelopmentEHRC interim guidance on specific dutiesSingle Equality Scheme 2010-2012 Inclusion case studies

Equality at sportscotland

General duty

sportscotland is committed to meeting its obligations under the Equality Act 2010. From 5 April 2011, sportscotland must have due regard to the need to: 

  • eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Act.
  • advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. This involves having due regard to the need to remove or minimise disadvantages and taking steps to meet the needs of persons who share a relevant protected characteristic. It also involves encouraging people who share a relevant protected characteristic to participate in public life and activities where participation of people with a relevant characteristic is disproportionately low.
  • foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. This involves having due regard to the need to tackle prejudice and promote understanding.

The ‘relevant protected characteristics’ that sportscotland must consider are:     

  • Age    
  • Disability    
  • Gender reassignment   
  • Pregnancy and maternity   
  • Race    
  • Religion or belief     
  • Sex     
  • Sexual orientation

Marriage and civil partnership is also captured by sportscotland’s obligations because the Act prohibits discrimination because of marriage or civil partnership in certain situations.

Ultimately, sportscotland is held to account for the equality improvements it delivers, not the processes it goes through. If sportscotland fails to meet its obligations, the Equality and Human Rights Commission is empowered to enforce them. Individuals can also apply to the Court of Session for a judicial review if they feel that sportscotland has failed to fulfill their duty.

Specific duties

The Scottish Government has the power to impose specific duties on sportscotland to help work towards the aims of the Act. These specific duties are still being negotiated by the Scottish Parliament. In the meantime, sportscotland is adhering to the interim guidance delivered by the EHRC.

Single Equality Scheme

sportscotland is currently working towards the key priorities of the Single Equality Scheme (2010-2012) (previously the Single Equity Scheme).

We have recently carried out an internal review of our actions and will shortly publish our priorities for the next 12 months. We will endeavour to meet our obligations under the Equality Act 2010 by continuing our previous processes until we are informed of what the new specific duties will be.
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