Watch Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 15 January 2026 10.00 am
Equality policy and legislation
Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 brought together over 116 separate pieces of legislation into one single Act. The Act establishes both a general duty and specific duties (Public sector equality duty (PSED)) for public bodies like Gloucestershire County Council.
The Act protects everyone against discrimination on the grounds of 9 protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. These characteristics are legally protected to ensure equality, fairness, and respect for all members of our community.
By law we must try to:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act.
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
- Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
The Act explains that 'due regard' for advancing equality involves:
- Removing or minimising disadvantages experienced by people due to their protected characteristics.
- Taking steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups where these are different from the needs of other people.
- Encouraging people from protected groups to participate in public life or in other activities where their participation is disproportionately low.
What this means for you:
- Fair access to services and support
- Protection from discrimination
- Equal opportunities
- Respect for your rights
More about the Equality Act and the public sector equality duty: