Inclusion policy

Inclusion Policy

Introduction

For the purposes of this policy ‘inclusion’ means access for all. It means recognising differences between individuals groups and providing opportunities for them to participate in Athletics and Running regardless of those differences, whether this is as a participant, coach, leader or other volunteer.

Northbrook Athletics Club embraces diversity and difference and is committed to providing opportunities that are safe, inclusive, accessible, and equitable. We want our club to be equally accessible to all members of society, whatever their age, disability, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or social/economic status.

We will focus on inclusion, not exclusion, and ensure that we provide appropriate advice to members and volunteers to ensure that everyone can participate as fully as possible.
The Inclusion Policy is intended to promote a change in attitudes and perceptions and to improve opportunities for everyone to participate at our club.

We will seek to ensure that we comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the characteristics protected by it ( age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity) and encourage our members to do so. We will seek to include everyone regardless of whether they have a protected characteristic or not.

Our aim is to provide an environment where everyone feels:

• Welcome
• Represented
• Included in decision making
• Able to participate
• Safe and free from discrimination, bullying, harassment and vilification.

Aims

The aims of the Inclusion Policy are:

• To guide and support the integration of inclusive practice into our core club/group programmes and activities.
• To enable inclusion within Running wherever possible and in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act.
• To adopt inclusive practice within our competition and events.

Commitment

We will:

• Actively identify and reduce barriers to participation for under-represented groups.
• Work to ensure under-represented groups are given the opportunity to participate in all aspects of our club.
• Provide opportunities for all in coaching, officiating and leadership positions.

We will not:

• Tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation.
• Make assumptions and will try to speak to people about the reasonable adjustments they believe might be made to enable them to participate and to discuss how these could be made.

We will provide a welcoming environment

We will:

• Think positively about how we can include people rather than focusing on potential barriers to participation.
• Consider how our club/group is promoted. For example, by providing information in formats which are accessible and by using appropriate imagery.
• Encourage people to contact us to discuss their needs and requirements to facilitate inclusion and we will ensure we consider what reasonable adjustments could be made to enable them to participate.
• Develop the knowledge and understanding of key officials, coaches, leaders and other volunteers, of disability, equity and inclusive practice by providing appropriate guidance and training.

We will make reasonable adjustments

• We will demonstrate that practical steps have been made to enable everyone to participate and that inclusion not exclusion has been the priority.
• If reasonable adjustments are required to make an event/activity accessible, then we will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments.

Inclusion Policy Review

We reserve the right to amend or modify this Inclusion Policy at any time and in response to changes in applicable inclusion legislation.

If we change our Inclusion Policy, we will post the changes on our website.

If you have any questions about our Inclusion Policy or practices, please contact us via the contact form on this website or email us at admin@northbrookac.org.uk.