Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy

1. POLICY STATEMENT

DTMK Limited is committed to fairness, dignity, and respect for everyone who works with us, learns with us, or uses our services.

We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying, or victimisation in any form. We will take all reasonable steps to create inclusive workplaces, classrooms, vehicles, venues, and online spaces where people can thrive.

Our approach follows the Equality Act 2010 and good practice guidance across Great Britain. We uphold equal access to employment, training, and assessment, and ensure that reasonable adjustments are applied in line with our Access to Assessment Policy.

2. PURPOSE

This policy ensures that:

Everyone understands the behaviour expected at DTMK
Recruitment, selection, onboarding, and management are fair and transparent
Teaching, learning, assessment, and certification are inclusive and free from unlawful discrimination
Concerns are raised early and handled promptly, sensitively, and fairly

3. LEGAL FRAMEWORK & PROTECTED CHARACTERISTICS

We comply with the Equality Act 2010, which protects against discrimination, harassment, and victimisation based on:

Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Marriage and civil partnership
Pregnancy and maternity
Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin)
Religion or belief
Sex
Sexual orientation

Disability includes physical, sensory, and mental health conditions, including non-visible and neurodivergent conditions, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

These protections apply to both employment and service delivery, including education and training.

4. SCOPE

This policy covers all DTMK activities, including:

Employment and engagement of staff, franchisees, contractors, volunteers, and applicants
Marketing, enquiries, bookings, customer service, and complaints
Driving lessons, fleet training, first aid, and other regulated or non-regulated courses
Learning materials, online platforms, communications, and social media
Assessment, quality assurance, and liaison with Awarding Organisations
Use of third-party venues, vehicles, simulators, and equipment

5. DEFINITIONS

Discrimination
Less favourable treatment because of a protected characteristic, or practices that disadvantage individuals or groups without objective justification.

Harassment
Unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic that violates dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment.

Victimisation
Detriment suffered by a person because they raised, supported, or were involved in an equality related concern or complaint.

Reasonable Adjustments
Changes made to remove or reduce disadvantage experienced by disabled people.

Special Consideration
Post assessment adjustment applied where a learner’s performance has been affected by temporary illness, injury, or events outside their control.

Learner
Any individual accessing DTMK learning, training, assessment, or certification activities, including candidates, trainees, students, course participants, and clients undertaking assessed or non-assessed learning.

6. RESPONSIBILITIES

Director
Approve this policy, allocate appropriate resources, and oversee compliance.

Managers & Course Leads
Implement the policy, support staff and learners, and address concerns promptly and fairly.

Staff, Franchisees & Contractors
Treat others with dignity and respect, complete required training, follow procedures, and challenge inappropriate conduct.

Compliance with this policy is a condition of engagement, contract, or franchise agreement with DTMK Limited.

Learners & Clients

Behave respectfully and follow reasonable instructions that support safety, inclusion, and effective learning.

7. STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

Courteous, professional conduct is expected at all times
Bullying, harassment, or inappropriate behaviour will be addressed through disciplinary or learner conduct procedures
Freedom of belief and expression is respected, provided it does not amount to harassment or discrimination

8. RECRUITMENT, SELECTION & EMPLOYMENT

Recruitment and selection criteria will focus solely on skills, knowledge, qualifications, and role requirements
Reasonable adjustments will be made for candidates and employees
Pay, benefits, training, promotion, and dismissal decisions will be fair and transparent
Equality and diversity training will be provided with regular refreshers

9. INCLUSIVE SERVICE DELIVERY

Lessons and training are designed to meet different learning needs and backgrounds
Information will be made available in accessible formats where practicable
Cultural and religious needs, such as prayer times, dietary requirements, and modesty needs, will be considered where safe and feasible
Venues and vehicles will be selected with accessibility in mind

10. LEARNER SUPPORT & SAFEGUARDING

DTMK promotes a safe and inclusive learning environment in line with its Safeguarding Policy. Disclosures are handled sensitively and shared only on a need-to-know basis.

11. ASSESSMENT FAIRNESS

Assessments will not disadvantage any learner or group
Reasonable adjustments and special consideration will be applied in line with the Access to Assessment Policy
Requests will be handled fairly, with evidence and approvals managed appropriately

12. TEACHING & LEARNING PRACTICE

Trainers will use inclusive language and a range of teaching methods
Practical activities will respect dignity, cultural needs, and safety requirements

13. COMMUNICATION & INFORMATION

Information will be written in plain English
Language support will be provided where possible without compromising assessment integrity
Marketing will represent diversity authentically and respectfully
Digital and online content will be designed with accessibility in mind, including clear layout, readable formats, and reasonable adjustments where practicable

14. THIRD PARTIES, PARTNERS & VENUES

Suppliers, venues, and partners are expected to meet the same equality standards as DTMK. Any concerns will be addressed promptly where expectations are not met.

15. RAISING CONCERNS

Concerns should be reported promptly to a manager or course lead
Employees may use formal grievance procedures
Learners and clients may use complaints and appeals procedures
Assessment related concerns may be escalated to the relevant Awarding Organisation
No individual will suffer victimisation for raising a concern in good faith

16. DATA PROTECTION & CONFIDENTIALITY

Equality related information will be processed lawfully and stored securely
Optional anonymised data may be collected to monitor access, participation, and outcomes

17. POSITIVE ACTION

Where evidence demonstrates under representation or disadvantage, proportionate positive action may be taken to encourage participation or reduce barriers, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. This does not include unlawful discrimination.

18. TRAINING, AWARENESS & AUDIT

All personnel will complete equality and diversity training as part of induction
Additional training will be provided for those involved in course design, assessment, or quality assurance
Feedback and outcome data will be reviewed regularly to identify improvements

19. BREACH OF POLICY

Breaches of this policy may result in:

Disciplinary action
Removal from a course
Termination of contracts or franchise agreements
Reporting to external authorities where legally required

20. GOVERNANCE & REVIEW

This policy will be updated where required to reflect changes in legislation, regulatory guidance, or Awarding Organisation requirements.

Last reviewed: February 2026
Next review due: 28th February 2027

Director: Christopher Cook
Email: christopher@dtmk.co.uk