Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Our commitment

Xcademia Ltd is committed to treating everyone fairly and with respect. We want every learner, trainer, member of staff and partner to be able to take part and succeed, whatever their background.

This policy applies to learners, staff, associate trainers, partners and anyone else who deals with us. It covers how we design and deliver training, how we recruit trainers and how we expect people to behave.

We have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme at the Committed level.

The law and protected characteristics

We follow the Equality Act 2010. The Act protects people from discrimination because of these protected characteristics:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage and civil partnership
• pregnancy and maternity
• race, including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origin
• religion or belief, including no belief
• sex
• sexual orientation

We will not discriminate directly or indirectly, harass or victimise anyone because of a protected characteristic. We also make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, as described below.

Fair access to training

We aim to remove avoidable barriers to enrolment, participation and assessment. Our admission and joining arrangements are based on the entry requirements of the programme and not on a person's characteristics.

• We explain entry requirements, delivery modes, costs and support before booking.
• We offer different ways to learn, including live virtual, onsite, blended and self-paced options.
• We select platforms and venues with accessibility needs in mind.
• We handle information about a learner's needs in confidence and share it only with those who need it to provide support.

Inclusive materials and delivery

Our content review checks that training materials are clear, accessible and free from stereotypes or language that excludes people. Examples, case studies and scenarios reflect a range of people and workplaces.

Trainers are expected to create a respectful learning environment, to use clear and plain language, and to give every learner a fair chance to contribute. We welcome feedback from learners and employers on how to make our delivery more inclusive.

Neurodiversity and reasonable adjustments

We recognise that many learners are neurodivergent, for example people with dyslexia, ADHD, autism or dyspraxia, and that people think and learn in different ways. We value that diversity and plan our delivery with it in mind.

Where a disability or long-term condition puts someone at a disadvantage, we agree reasonable adjustments with the learner, and with the employer where relevant. Examples include clear written instructions, advance agendas, extra processing time, breaks and alternative ways to take part. Adjustments are designed to remove avoidable barriers while keeping the standard of the competence being assessed.

Learners do not need a formal diagnosis to ask for support. Our full arrangements are set out in our Learner Support and Reasonable Adjustments Policy.

Recruitment of trainers and staff

We select staff, associate trainers and partners on skills, experience, suitability for the role and the needs of our learners. We do not discriminate in recruitment, selection, pay or the opportunities we offer. We make reasonable adjustments in recruitment for disabled candidates on request, and we use clear, role-related criteria so that decisions can be explained.

Unacceptable behaviour

We do not tolerate harassment, bullying, victimisation or discrimination, whether it takes place in a classroom, online, in a venue, in a message or in a chat during a live session. This includes:

• offensive jokes, comments or images about a protected characteristic
• unwanted physical contact or sexual advances
• exclusion, intimidation or humiliation of a person or group
• sharing discriminatory or abusive material through our platforms or channels

Unacceptable behaviour may lead to removal from a session or programme, and for staff, trainers and partners it may lead to action under the terms of their engagement. Where a concern involves a risk of harm, our Safeguarding and Prevent Policy also applies.

Raising a concern, monitoring and review

Anyone who feels they have been treated unfairly, or who has seen unacceptable behaviour, can raise it with their trainer or programme contact, or contact us at info@xcademia.com or +44 20 8050 4999. Concerns are dealt with fairly and in confidence. Our process is set out in our Complaints and Appeals Procedure. No one will be treated badly for raising a concern in good faith.

Management reviews learner feedback, complaints and support requests for patterns that suggest a barrier or unfair treatment, and acts on what it finds. We review this policy at least annually, and sooner if the law or our circumstances change.

Questions about this policy?

Contact us or email info@xcademia.com.