Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Policy Statement
Academy of Humanopathy | London | March 2026
Our Commitment
The Academy of Humanopathy is committed to creating and sustaining an environment in which every student, member of staff, and applicant is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We believe that diversity strengthens the quality of education and that inclusion is a daily practice embedded in every aspect of our work.
We are committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of our activity, including admissions, teaching, assessment, progression, staff recruitment and development.
Legal Framework
This policy is grounded in and compliant with the following legislation and regulatory frameworks, current as of March 2026.
Equality Act 2010
The primary legislation governing equality in England, Scotland and Wales. The Act protects staff and students against discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the basis of nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Public Sector Equality Duty
The Duty requires public bodies to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not; and foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023
In force from 26 October 2024. This Act increased employer liability and placed greater emphasis on proactive prevention of sexual harassment, requiring employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment before it occurs.
Employment Rights Act 2025
Received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025. From October 2026, the Act will require institutions to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of staff. Employers will also become liable for harassment of staff by third parties across all protected characteristics. Disclosures of sexual harassment will be explicitly protected under whistleblowing law, and confidentiality clauses seeking to prevent staff from raising or disclosing allegations of discrimination or harassment will be void.
Domestic Abuse Act 2021
Defines abusive behaviour to include physical or sexual abuse, violent or threatening behaviour, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse, and psychological or emotional abuse.
UK Government Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2025 to 2030
Published December 2025, this strategy targets misogyny and abuse through prevention, education, protection and justice initiatives, recognising that harmful attitudes and misogynistic behaviours fuel violence, abuse and exploitation.
Human Rights Act 1998
Protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of every individual connected to the Academy.
Protected Characteristics
The Academy will not discriminate directly or indirectly against any person on the grounds of any of the following protected characteristics:
Age · Disability · Gender Reassignment · Marriage and Civil Partnership · Pregnancy and Maternity · Race · Religion or Belief · Sex · Sexual Orientation
Any act of discrimination, harassment or victimisation on any of these grounds will be treated as a serious matter subject to formal proceedings.
Responsibilities
All staff and students have a responsibility to comply with the aims and principles of this policy.
Senior managers and the Academy leadership carry direct responsibility for implementing this policy and its associated action plans, embedding equality into all operational and academic decisions, and maintaining an environment in which any concern can be raised without fear of reprisal.
The Founder and Director holds ultimate accountability for the Academy’s compliance with all applicable equality legislation and for ensuring this policy is reviewed and updated in response to any legislative change.
Race Equality
The Academy is committed to eliminating racial discrimination in all its forms. We recognise that race equality requires active commitment, not passive compliance.
No person will be subjected to direct or indirect discrimination, harassment or victimisation on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, or ethnic or national origin. This applies to admissions, teaching, assessment, staff recruitment, progression and all other aspects of Academy activity.
We actively seek to reflect the international and multicultural character of our student and faculty community, currently drawn from over 15 countries, and to ensure that all voices are represented and heard.
Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Violence Against Women and Girls
The Academy takes a clear and unambiguous position on the prevention of gender-based violence and sexual harassment.
Higher and further education providers have a well-established common law duty of care to maintain the safety and wellbeing of their students, alongside the duty under the Equality Act 2010 to eliminate discrimination and harassment of women and to foster good relations between different groups.
In line with the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 and the Employment Rights Act 2025, the Academy is committed to taking all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of staff and students, including conduct originating from third parties.
The Academy will:
• Provide a learning and working environment free from sexual harassment, sexual violence, coercive behaviour, and any conduct that undermines the dignity or safety of any person.
• Treat any report of gender-based violence, harassment or abuse as a serious matter requiring a prompt, fair and transparent response.
• Ensure that no non-disclosure agreement or institutional pressure will be used to prevent a staff member or student from raising or disclosing a complaint.
• Protect from any detriment any person who makes a protected disclosure relating to sexual harassment, in line with the Employment Rights Act 2025.
• Support the aims of the UK Government VAWG Strategy 2025 to 2030 by embedding awareness and prevention within our educational community.
Inclusive Learning
The Academy is committed to ensuring that all students can access and fully participate in their programme of study, regardless of background, identity or circumstance. This includes:
• Reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities or long-term health conditions.
• Flexible study options that recognise the diverse professional and personal responsibilities of our postgraduate community.
• Assessment practices designed to measure knowledge and capability equitably.
Reporting
Any student or member of staff who experiences or witnesses discrimination, harassment or any conduct that violates this policy is encouraged to report it. All reports will be handled confidentially, fairly and without prejudice to the reporting party.
Reports may be made directly to the Academy at:
info@humanopathy.com
Review
This policy will be reviewed annually and updated in line with any changes to relevant legislation or regulatory guidance.
Last reviewed: March 2026
Academy of Humanopathy | London | humanopathy.com