Our equality duties under the Equality Act

Meeting our equality duty

The Public Sector Equality Duty or 'general duty' created under the Equality Act 2010, requires us to have a due regard to:

• eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Act
• advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic who do not share it
• foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic who do not share it

The general duty is supported by two 'specific duties' which requires us to:

• publish information to show compliance with the equality duty every year
• publish specific and measurable equality duties at least every 4 years

Protected characteristics

The Equality Act introduced the term 'protected characteristics' to refer to groups that are protected under the Act, these are:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage and civil partnership
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation

It is important to note that carers are also protected through association to any of the above 9 characteristics.

In addition, Dorset Council recognises that there are a range of other groups/people that may face additional disadvantage and discrimination and we consider these when making decisions. They include:

• people who are rurally isolated
• people on low incomes/in poverty
• single parents
• people with a military background and their families
• gender identity
• gender expression
• people who are care experienced 

See Equality and Human Rights Commission for further guidance.

The Dorset Council Equality Scheme details our key equality objectives for 2019-2023. The Equality Scheme is supported by a detailed action plan, which will be reviewed on an annual basis.