How we operate: Equality and diversity

Equality ensures that everyone is treated fairly, regardless of difference, and is given the opportunity to fulfil their potential in life. For SFC, this means making equality central to our policy development, decision making and delivery to support colleges and universities, their staff and students, and to improve life chances for all.

Tackling persistent inequalities together

SFC and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) are working together to enhance our leadership and oversight role in tackling persistent inequalities in the tertiary system.

This report, Tackling persistent inequalities together [PDF], outlines the persistent inequalities in the tertiary system and asks institutions to address them by contributing to a set of National Equality Outcomes (NEOs) as part of their Public Sector Equality Duty. It also confirms a new SFC Strategic Equality Outcome and requests notes of interest for a collaborative event to be held later in the academic year to enable wider discussion.

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Our duties

The Equality Act 2010 requires us to deliver on the Public Sector Equality Duty. SFC adheres to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Scotland-specific advice and guidance.

How are we achieving these outcomes?

In partnership

To help us advance equality and diversity, we work closely with the Equality Unit and Sponsorship Teams in the Scottish Government, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and other partners in the Non-departmental Public Bodies Equality Forum to strengthen our approach.

Memorandum of understanding between the Scottish Funding Council and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Progress reports

We report on progress through our Mainstreaming and Equality Outcome reports on delivering our equality outcomes both externally, supporting the colleges and universities that we fund, and internally, as an employer.