Equality & Diversity Policy

BSAC equality and diversity policy

1. Our equality and diversity values

1.1. The British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) has a clear commitment to equality and diversity and this is embedded in everything Seahorse Divers do as a branch of BSAC

1.2. Seahorse Divers are passionate about making the sports of scuba diving and snorkelling inclusive, open and accessible to everyone.

1.3. We seek to create a culture and environment where everyone has the opportunity to participate, volunteer, teach and run diving and snorkelling activities in the club (branch).

1.4. We seek to overcome potential barriers for those individuals and groups currently under-represented as participants.

1.5. We celebrate that as a sport we are unique in that we are non-competitive and men and women participate equally. We are open to all ages. We offer an ideal sport to many people with disabilities.

2. Our commitment to equality & diversity

2.1. As a sports club, Seahorse Divers is committed to eliminating discrimination and valuing diversity in all of our activities.

2.2. We monitor and address outcomes and ensure that the over-arching values of fairness and equality are integrated throughout our club.

2.3. Seahorse Divers will ensure that our members are treated equally, with dignity and respect, regardless of the nine characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010. These are:

  • age
  • disability
  • gender reassignment
  • marriage and civil partnership
  • pregnancy and maternity
  • race (including ethnic origin, colour, nationality and national origin)
  • religion and belief (including philosophical belief)
  • sex/gender
  • sexual orientation

2.4. We will oppose and challenge all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.

3. Equality & diversity policy into practice

3.1. As a club we will

  • Treat all members fairly and with respect
  • Ensure that all our policies are fair, inclusive and accessible.
  • Select for committee officers on the basis of ability and aptitude.
  • Encourage all members to develop to their full potential.
  • Create a supportive environment where individual differences and contributions of all
  • members are recognised and valued.
  • Be flexible in the way that we operate as a club.
  • Address any breaches of this equality policy as misconduct.
  • Where possible, ensure club activities are accessible and tailored to meet the needs of everyone.
  • Encourage instructors training for teaching people with disabilities through our Diving for All courses.
  • Encourage club representatives to take part in Equity in Your Coaching workshops.
  • Make reasonable adjustments to club activities to encourage participation by people with disabilities.
  • Ensure all our public information is accessible and reflects the diversity of the club.
  • Educate on fairness and equality through our activities.
  • Create safe and supportive environments.
  • Inspire and motivate all divers and snorkellers to fully reach their potential.
  • Understand that the Equality Act 2010 requires a proactive approach with the challenge of demonstrating it in practice. These policies need the support of all BSAC branch officers and members.

All members are encouraged to:

  • Be aware of discriminatory practices (described below) and avoid them.
  • Ensure that everyone is treated positively and fairly.
  • Challenge others if they feel that they are behaving in a discriminatory manner.
  • Inform a branch officer or a manager at HQ if they think they are being discriminated against or if they think that discriminatory practices are in place.

4. Discrimination

4.1. When people are not treated equally it is termed ‘discrimination’. This might not always obvious and BSAC members should be aware of the following terms.

4.2. Direct discrimination means treating a person less favourably than others are or would be treated in the same circumstances. For example, men being paid more than women for the same job.

4.3. Indirect discrimination means applying a requirement or condition, which, whether intentionally or not, has an adverse effect on any person. For example, requiring a university degree for a post that does not need one would discriminate against any group less likely to have had a university education.

4.4. Associative discrimination is where an individual is directly discriminated against or harassed for association with another individual who has a protected characteristic.

4.5. Perceptive discrimination is where an individual is directly discriminated against or harassed based on a perception that they have a particular protected characteristic when in fact they do not. For example, a person might feel they are being discriminated against because other people think they are homosexual (when they are not).