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Equality Statement

1. Introduction

Kaplan is a global organisation whose mission is rooted in providing equal access to education and opportunities for advancement to people of all backgrounds.

We believe diversity, equality and inclusion - of culture, experiences, perspectives - are paramount to creating success and opportunity in an ever-changing world.

As an educator, partner and employer, Kaplan is committed to promoting an equitable world in which diverse talent can develop, advance and thrive.

1.1 Purpose and scope

This document provides our Equality Statement and our commitment to being an equal opportunities organisation.

1.2 Confidentiality

Information provided by candidates or stakeholders under this policy will be treated as confidential, and only be shared with the persons necessary when considering the claim/request.

1.3 Review of this policy

This policy will be monitored by Kaplan Professional Awards (KPA) and any necessary amendments will be made and implemented at the earliest opportunity. As a minimum, KPA will review this and all associated policies on an annual basis as part of its ongoing quality assurance procedures.

2. Our commitment

Kaplan Professional Awards (KPA) is fully committed to providing an environment where everyone is treated fairly and equally and with respect and dignity. KPA will do its utmost to ensure that all its learners receive equality of opportunity and equal access to our qualifications, assessments and related products and services. We are proudly committed to being an equal opportunities organisation. It is our policy that there will be no discrimination against or harassment of any candidate, employee, job applicant, supplier or contractor either directly, indirectly or by association or perception, based on any of the nine protected characteristics under The Equality Act 2010:

  • Race (including nationality & ethnicity)
  • Sex
  • Disability
  • Gender reassignment
  • Sexual orientation
  • Religion or philosophical belief
  • Age
  • Marital or civil partnership status
  • Pregnancy and maternity

Equality is the notion of individuals being treated equally, fairly, with dignity and free from discrimination, but not always necessarily being treated the same. There may be occasions (for example in the case of disability) where an unequal effort is required to ensure the principle of equality is met. It is also the notion of individuals being given access to the same opportunities in employment, education and services.

KPA is committed to:

  • ensuring the accessibility of the qualifications, services and products that we provide
  • ensuring equality of opportunity for learners to access our internal and portfolio assessments, our paper-based tests and our computer-based tests
  • ensuring fairness in our application of access arrangements
  • working with the centres that deliver our qualifications to make sure that they fulfil their duties under the Equality Act.

All KPA recognised centres are duty bound to be fully aware of their legal responsibilities in regard to equal opportunities and access. KPA reserves the right to withdraw centre approval status in the event of any proven discrimination. Centre Co-ordinators and staff should be fully aware of their legal responsibilities with regard to Equal Opportunities and monitor any changes in legislation.

KPA will ensure that:

  1. Candidates with a protected characteristic are not disadvantaged when they are undertaking an assessment from one of our qualifications; neither will any of our learners receive an unfair advantage.
  2. All candidates achieve the recognition they deserve from undertaking a qualification and that this achievement can be fairly compared to the achievement of their peers.

KPA fully intend to fulfil our requirements under the Equality Act 2010 (UK) by ensuring that we:

  • Take reasonable steps to avoid a disadvantage to a disabled person caused by a provision, criterion or practice;
  • Take reasonable steps to avoid a disadvantage to a disabled person caused by a physical feature;
  • Take reasonable steps to avoid a disadvantage to a disabled person by providing or allowing for an auxiliary aid.

Specifically KPA will achieve this by measures such as:

  • Ensuring equality throughout the process of developing qualifications and related products and services;
  • We will never reject a request relating to access to our qualifications that we receive, except where acceptance of the request is not logistically possible or where acceptance would undermine the criteria for the assessment;
  • Examining and monitoring data relating to candidate achievement in order to detect accidental bias;
  • Striving to improve the accessibility of customer-facing IT systems, or to introduce new systems;
  • Fulfilling our obligation to meet the access arrangements requested for our learners in a way that does not disadvantage either them or their peers;
  • Reviewing whether centres are fulfilling their equality and diversity responsibilities such as:
    • Carrying out any assessment processes in a fair and objective manner
    • Adhering to the most recent equal opportunities legislation
    • Operating a diversity and equality policy
    • Operating an effective and inclusive appeals procedure