In the previous section we talked about why equality is important in CLD work. There is a strong legislative framework to ensure that people from equalities groups are not discriminated against. There are three key areas of the law that people working in CLD need to be aware of at the moment:
But the law on equality is changing. The Equality Act 2010 received Royal Assent on 6 April. It aims to update, simplify and strengthen the previous legislation. It is hoped that the new legislation will deliver a simple, modern and accessible framework of discrimination law which protects individuals and promotes a fair and more equal society.
Because the different elements of the Act will come into place over time (and we are not sure exactly when that will happen) the next few sections cover the main areas of the current law you need to understand and consider. Visit Section 2.5 to find out more about the Act.
As CLD practitioners it is important to be aware of these laws and take account of them. Not doing so could mean we are breaching the law. But you should view these laws as minimum standards rather than best practice.