Protected Characteristics

The Equality Act is a law which came into force in 2010 to protect everyone, including children, from discrimination, harrassment and prejudice.

'Protected characteristics' are aspects of a person’s identity that are protected under the Equality Act, by making it against the law to discriminate against someone based on these characteristics, helping to promote a fairer and more equal society.

The 'Protected characteristics' are:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

You’re protected from discrimination:

• at work
• in education
• as a consumer
• when using public services
• when buying or renting property
• as a member or guest of a private club or association

You’re also protected from discrimination if:

• you’re associated with someone who has a protected characteristic, for example a family member or friend
• you’ve complained about discrimination or supported someone else’s claim

 Advancing equality of opportunity includes taking measures to:

• Remove or minimise disadvantage associated with a protected characteristic
• Taking steps to meet the needs of individuals who share a protected characteristic (where these are different to others)
• Encouraging people who share a protected characteristic to participate in public life or other activities where the participation by that group is disproportionately low

Action against discrimination

You can do something voluntarily to help people with a protected characteristic. This is called ‘positive action’.

Taking positive action is legal if people with a protected characteristic:

• are at a disadvantage
• have particular needs
• are under-represented in an activity or type of work

How we teach the 'Protected characteristics' is linked to our Christian vision and values, and our belief that...

Everyone had the right to be treated fairly, no matter who they are or what they believe.