The Equity Standard: A Framework for Sport

In November 2004, sportscotland , in partnership with UK Sport and the other three home country sports councils, launched the Equity Standard: A Framework for Sport (the Standard). This is a framework that can be used by governing bodies of sport to help them mainstream equity into their functions, and ensure that people are being treated fairly and given equality of opportunities throughout their sport. It will also help governing bodies to ensure that they are meeting their legal obligations in relation to equity.

The Standard will assist and guide organisations to develop a  meaningful long term plan for equity, and to achieve real organisational success and improvement in achieving equity and promoting diversity.

Organisations work through the four levels of the Standard, and are assessed by trained Equity Standard Advisers at the end of each level. Once an organisation has achieved a level of the Standard, it receives a certificate of accreditation, and is entitled to use the Equity Standard logo on its publication materials and in its communications.

The Standard has been endorsed by a range of key agencies including the Women’s Sports Foundation, Sporting Equals, the English Federation of Disability Sport and the CCPR.

Further information on implementing the Equity Standard can be accessed at the dedicated Equity Standard website - see link opposite

Implementation of the Equity Standard

Since late 2004, the sports councils have been working with the governing bodies of sport to roll out the Standard through a phased approach. The implementation of the Standard was piloted with an initial group, including twelve Scottish governing bodies. The pilot was evaluated in 2006, and changes were made to the support and assessment process to ensure that achieving the Standard was less paper-based and more streamlined.

The sports councils are now rolling out the Standard through the rest of the governing bodies. The approach to roll-out and support varies slightly between each sports council. To find out how your governing body is involved, or how to start working on the Standard, contact your sports council.

Practical advice and resources for governing bodies working towards the Standard, plus good practice examples, can be accessed on the dedicated Equity Standard website, which can be accessed from the link on this page.

The implementation of the Standard is managed by the Sports Councils’ Equity Group (SCEG). This group comprises the equity lead officers from each of the five sports councils, and is chaired by UK Sport.

For further information on the Equity Standard, please contact sportscotland’s Ethics Manager on 0131 317 7200.