Equality and diversity policy

Policy last updated 1 July 2026

See change log for recent updates to this webpage.

We want everyone involved in Girlguiding to have a great experience. 

This policy sets out how our volunteers and staff should act to treat people fairly and equally, and that we meet our legal responsibilities as set out in the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant legislation.  

This policy applies to all adult volunteers and adult members (all referred to as volunteers in policies), and staff in Girlguiding.

Volunteers should read this policy alongside the equality and diversity procedure. Girlguiding employees should use the associated staff procedures on the intranet.

Definitions used in this policy

Our glossary lays out a few definitions of key terms that are used across our policies - take a look.

• Characteristics – parts of someone’s identity. The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal to discriminate against someone because of certain characteristics. These are known as protected characteristics.
• Diversity – making sure people with different characteristics, backgrounds, identities and circumstances are represented.
• Equality – giving everyone the same resources or opportunities.
• Equity – treating people fairly by considering what they personally need to have the same opportunities as others. Everyone has different circumstances. 
• Identity – how people see and think about themselves and others. People often use characteristics, like gender, race or sexual orientation, to describe their identity.
• Inclusion – making sure everyone feels welcomed, accepted and valued.

Girlguiding’s commitment to equality, diversity, equity and inclusion

We’re here to support girls and young women, helping them to develop and fulfil their potential. A big part of that is making sure we prioritise inclusion in everything we do. We value and celebrate different experiences and characteristics.

Our commitment for equality, diversity, equity and inclusion is to be a place where everyone in guiding is welcome, free to be themselves, and has an equal sense of belonging.

Equity is really important to our approach. This means recognising that everyone is different – so giving people the same opportunities will sometimes mean treating them differently. For example, by providing a training document in large print for a volunteer with a visual impairment, you’re treating the volunteer differently to give them equal and fair access to opportunities.

Our space for girls and women

We believe we best meet the needs of girls and young women by being a space for girls, led by girls and young women. 

While our staff positions are open to all, only girls can become young members. For the purposes of membership, and in line with the Equality Act 2010, girl and woman refer to those whose sex at birth is female. Some of our volunteer positions are open to women only. To check who can do each role, please see the role requirements table.

You can also find information about who can become a member in our young members policy and adult volunteers and adults members policy. 

Characteristics this policy protects

No one you come into contact with through guiding should ever be discriminated against, or treated unfairly, directly or indirectly, because of any characteristic listed below. This includes existing and previous members, girls and young women, volunteers, staff, contractors, visitors, and anyone else you interact with in your role.

Being inclusive means not assuming that someone can’t take part in guiding because of who they are. Instead, think about what support or adjustments they might need so they can fully take part and get the most out of guiding.

Age. Refers to how old someone is, whether this is a specific age or an age range. Some of our roles and activities have age requirements. 

Caring responsibilities. Adult and young carers who provide unpaid care to family members or friends who are unable to care for themselves due to illness, disability or other conditions. Take a look at our guidance on how to include carers and young carers.

Children in care. Children that are or were the responsibility of a local authority (such as a district or county council). Read our guidance on how to include children in care.

Disability. Disabilities and long-term conditions can be physical, sensory, medical, mental health or learning-related. Girlguiding do not believe that a disability or long term condition should be an immediate barrier to girls or volunteers in accessing our broad and balanced programme. Our guidance on including members with disabilities, mental health and wellbeing and on making adjustments can help you plan for this. 

Gender reassignment. Those who are proposing to undergo, undergoing or have undergone a process (or part of a process) to reassign their sex. This is a personal process and does not require medical treatment or a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). Please see our guidance on supporting trans members in guiding. 

Marriage or civil partnership. Those who are married or in a civil partnership including members over 16 years old, as well as volunteers and staff.

Pregnancy and maternity. Those who are pregnant, expecting a baby, have had a baby in the last 26 weeks, or are breastfeeding. Where there are health and safety considerations, practical adjustments should be made so they can continue to take part in guiding. 

Race. Including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins. We know that it isn’t enough to not be racist – we all have a role to play in being actively anti-racist and living our values of being inclusive and caring for others. See our guidance on creating a welcoming environment for people of colour. 

Refugees and asylum seekers. Those who have fled war or persecution, or who have formally applied for asylum in another country. See our guidance on including refugees and asylum-seekers.

Religion or belief (including the absence of religion or belief). Includes any religion and any philosophical belief, as well as a lack of religion or belief. Any expression of religious or philosophical beliefs must follow our code of conduct, values, and policies. You can find out more in our faith and belief guidance. 

Sexual orientation. Meaning whether someone is attracted to the same sex, the opposite sex, or both. Please see our guidance on supporting LGBTQ+ members.

Sex. Refers to someone’s sex at birth being male or female.

Socio-economic status or class. We never want finances or class background to be a barrier to taking part in guiding. We have guidance on affordability and guiding.

Expectations

All adult volunteers and staff must:

• Treat everyone in Girlguiding fairly, with dignity and respect.
• Never discriminate or treat anyone unfairly or less favourably on the basis of characteristics protected by this policy.
• Provide a warm, friendly environment for everyone you volunteer or work with.
• Make Girlguiding a welcoming and inclusive space, by recognising differences and making reasonable adjustments where appropriate.
• Recognise and respond to policy breaches, in line with the equality and diversity procedure and for staff the bullying and harassment procedures.

How Girlguiding promotes and supports equality and diversity

• Our including everyone in guiding webpages have guidance on how volunteers can support and include everyone in guiding, with practical advice on meeting people’s needs and making reasonable adjustments.
• Our recruitment and vetting policy sets out how we expect volunteers involved in recruitment processes to make every effort to ensure Girlguiding is welcoming to all, in line with this policy and procedure.
• We take a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and harassment, including behaviour directed at someone because of a characteristic protected by this policy. Please see our anti-bullying and harassment policy for more information.
• Our safer guiding training includes practical advice on the small actions that help make Girlguiding a more welcoming and inclusive place. All staff must complete equality and diversity training, and staff involved in recruitment, or other decision-making where equal opportunities issues may arise, complete additional training tailored to their role. 
• We’re committed to giving all staff equal opportunities and preventing discrimination throughout their time with us. This includes ensuring fairness in recruitment, promotion, training, pay and benefits, discipline and selection for redundancy.
• We want to support all members, volunteers and staff, and will make reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their role. 

Related documents and information for members of staff

• Staff grievance procedure. 
• Staff disciplinary procedure.  
• Staff recruitment and selection policy.
• Staff bullying and harassment procedure.
• Safeguarding for Girlguiding staff. 
• Wellbeing resource pack. 
• Reporting Discrimination - Tell Jane. 
• Employee Assistance Programme.