Equality law guidance update for educational visits
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Equality law: there's an update to equality law guidance worth noting for your educational visits and wider school policy.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published its updated Code of practice for services, public functions and associations. It came into force this week. The main purpose of this Code is to provide a detailed explanation of the Equality Act to help courts when interpreting the law and help lawyers, advisers and others who need to apply the law and understand its technical detail.
What schools need to know
The Code (which is statutory) covers discrimination, harassment and victimisation in services and public functions. It gives practical examples and explanations of why actions would fall into scope of the Equality Act. It doesn't contradict Keeping Children Safe in Education, but it's a useful companion to it and worth having on file.
The EHRC also has a live consultation on its technical guidance specifically for schools, covering legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010. It's open until 29 September, so there's still time to have your say on how this guidance should work in practice.
EHRC states:
"This technical guidance explains schools’ legal obligations not to discriminate against, harass or victimise pupils, as set out in chapter 1 of Part 6 of the Equality Act 2010 (the Act). This guidance is not a statutory code issued under section 14 of the Equality Act 2006, but it may be used as evidence in legal proceedings."
What we would suggest:
Make sure your SLT and EVC are aware the Code has been updated, and of the additional guidance for schools, particularly the trips and facilities sections.
If you have views on the draft technical guidance, consider responding to the consultation before 29 September.
If you're responsible for educational visits policy and planning and aren't sure what this means for you, your Educational Visits Adviser is there to help. Just ask.
This publication is a general summary of guidance. It should not replace advice tailored to your specific circumstances. ©️EVOLVE Advice 2026
If you’d like further support on this issue, or advice on other aspects related to educational visits, speak to your Educational Visits Adviser.