Equal opportunities policy

The Centre for Homeopathic Education (CHE) is committed to equal opportunities for all staff,
students, patients and visitors to our College.

It is our policy that all admissions and employment decisions are based on merit and the legitimate
business needs of our College. CHE does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour or nationality,
ethnic or national origins, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner
status, disability, religion or belief, age or any other ground on which it is or becomes unlawful to
discriminate under the law of England and Wales.

We recognises the positive benefits of maintaining an Equal Opportunities Policy for all our students,
staff, patients and visitors and the organisation as a whole.

CHE values and promotes the diversity brought to it by individuals, and believes that it will benefit
from engaging students and staff from a variety of backgrounds by meeting the needs of a diverse
membership. The College will treat all applicants, students, patients and staff with respect and
dignity, and seek to provide an environment to work, learn and live in free from discrimination,
harassment or victimisation.

CHE will ensure that individuals are treated solely on the basis of their merits and abilities.
In line with our mission to develop competent, lifelong learners who will contribute to their
communities, CHE deems it is absolutely essential to implement the following actions:

  • Deliver equality of opportunity for all applicants, staff, students, patients and third parties that
    may come into contact with our College.
  • Make the Equal Opportunities Policy known to all applicants, staff, students and partner
    organisations.
  • Eliminate any conditions, procedures and individual behaviour that can lead to
    discrimination, harassment and victimisation even where there was no intent to discriminate
  • Offer services and representation fairly to all staff and students and ensure that anyone in
    contact with the organisation is treated with respect.
  • Provide a working and learning environment in compliance with all relevant legislation. This
    policy will be amended as appropriate to meet the demands of future legislation.
  • Achieve a culture in which diversity is embedded in all the College’s activities.
  • Ensure mechanisms are in place for responding to complaints of discrimination, harassment
    and victimisation
  • Monitor practices regularly to ensure that the College meets its commitment to equality of
    opportunity.

Responsibilities

The Equal Opportunities Policy is the responsibility of every member of the CHE. However, those
who hold management, supervisory or other senior positions, and student representatives in the

organisation have additional and particular responsibilities to ensure the effectiveness of its
application and that all staff and students are aware of its implementation.

The development, implementation and operation of the Equal Opportunities Policy are the
responsibility of the Senior Management Team within the College. The CHE Principal has the
overall responsibility for ensuring that CHE operates within a framework of equality of opportunity.

Equal opportunity in study provision

The College understands that the needs of different groups vary and will therefore strive to provide
according to needs, which in some cases may result in different provisions.
The College is committed to making our service provision accessible to all students. All reasonable
adjustments will be made to enable this.

Equal opportunities in employment

Advertisements for posts will give sufficiently clear and accurate information to enable potential
applicants to assess their own suitability for the post. Information about vacant posts will be provided
in such a manner that does not restrict its audience in terms of sex, gender reassignment, race,
marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, pregnancy/maternity or any other
irrespective difference.

All descriptions and specifications for posts will include only requirements that are necessary and
justifiable for the effective performance of the job. When applying for employment, all job applicants
are considered having regard only to their individual aptitudes, abilities, knowledge, experience and
qualifications in the relation to the job as stated in the job description and person specification.

All staff will be given equal consideration for training, career development and promotion. Staff are
encouraged to develop themselves through training and to obtain qualifications that are appropriate
to their employment.

Staff have the right to raise a query or grievance that they have concerning the application of this
policy, initially with their line manager.

The College will ensure that all staff have the training and development opportunities which they
need to enable them to achieve the College’s objectives. The College will ensure that all staff
training and development activity is linked to individual and organisational objectives and that staff
are treated equitably.

Staff and students responsibility

Individuals at all levels must accept personal responsibility in relation to this Policy for the application
of the principle of equal opportunities to all within the workplace. Individuals personally and the
College could both be found liable for any acts of discrimination within the College.

Staff and students must not discriminate against fellow staff members, fellow students, contractors,
job applicants, student applicants or patients in the course of their engagement with the College and
are required to draw to the attention of the Principal any apparent instances of discrimination.