Policies

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION POLICY

Organisation: Boxology Limited
Trading names: Boxology® Academy and Boxology® Online
Company number: 10523458
Responsible person: Cathy Brown – Director, Boxology Limited
Version: 3.0
Effective date: 3 August 2026
Review date: 3 August 2027, or sooner where legal, organisational or delivery arrangements change

1. Purpose

Boxology Limited is committed to creating learning, working and programme environments in which people are treated fairly, respectfully and with dignity.

This policy applies to:

  • learners and members;

  • tutors, assessors and coaches;

  • employees, contractors and volunteers;

  • customers;

  • programme participants;

  • parents, carers and guardians;

  • partner and commissioning organisations; and

  • members of the public engaging with Boxology Limited.

It applies across:

  • face-to-face courses;

  • online courses and memberships;

  • practical assessments;

  • events and workshops;

  • community programmes;

  • digital platforms;

  • social media and online communication; and

  • programmes delivered under written arrangements with HEADGUARD or another partner.

2. Organisational separation

Boxology® Academy and Boxology® Online are commercial boxing-education brands operated by Boxology Limited.

Boxology Limited is legally and financially separate from:

  • HEADGUARD C.I.C., company number 16212678, which is a community interest company and not a registered charity; and

  • any separate HEADGUARD Charitable Incorporated Organisation that may be registered in the future.

Where Boxology Limited provides services or educational materials for HEADGUARD C.I.C., the responsibilities of each organisation will be identified through an appropriate written arrangement.

Any future HEADGUARD CIO will be separately governed by its trustees. This policy will not automatically become the policy of that CIO unless its trustees formally adopt it or incorporate it into an approved agreement.

Boxology Academy Limited, company number 10803282, was dissolved on 25 June 2019 and has no current activity or role. Current use of “Boxology Academy” refers to a trading brand operated by Boxology Limited.

3. Our commitment

Boxology Limited is committed to:

  • providing fair access to appropriate learning and services;

  • removing unnecessary barriers to participation;

  • considering reasonable adjustments;

  • treating people consistently and respectfully;

  • recognising that different people may require different forms of support;

  • challenging discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation;

  • making decisions based on relevant, transparent and proportionate criteria;

  • creating culturally respectful and trauma-aware environments;

  • protecting the dignity, privacy and safety of participants; and

  • reviewing practices that may unintentionally disadvantage particular groups.

Equality does not always require every person to be treated identically. Different arrangements may be appropriate where they respond to disability, age, safeguarding, privacy, identified disadvantage or the specific purpose of a programme.

CIMSPA ALIGNMENT

Boxology Limited is a CIMSPA Training Provider Partner.

This policy supports Boxology Limited’s responsibilities to provide fair, inclusive and transparent access to its CIMSPA-endorsed education and training.

Boxology Limited will review its equality, diversity and inclusion arrangements as part of its internal quality-assurance processes and in response to relevant CIMSPA standards, endorsement conditions and quality-assurance feedback.

CIMSPA endorsement does not remove Boxology Limited’s own responsibility for complying with equality law, considering reasonable adjustments and responding appropriately to concerns.

4. Protected characteristics

Boxology Limited will not unlawfully discriminate because of any protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010:

  • age;

  • disability;

  • gender reassignment;

  • marriage and civil partnership;

  • pregnancy and maternity;

  • race;

  • religion or belief;

  • sex; or

  • sexual orientation.

The policy also extends, as a matter of organisational commitment, to unfair treatment connected with matters such as:

  • gender identity or expression;

  • socio-economic background;

  • care experience;

  • caring responsibilities;

  • language;

  • literacy or educational background;

  • refugee, asylum-seeking or displacement experience;

  • physical appearance;

  • trauma or abuse history; and

  • other personal circumstances unrelated to a person’s suitability for the activity.

These wider matters are included as Boxology commitments and are not being presented as additional statutory protected characteristics.

5. Commercial Boxology courses

Commercial Boxology professional-education courses are normally intended for adults aged 18 or over.

Eligibility may depend on:

  • minimum age;

  • stated course prerequisites;

  • professional or coaching experience;

  • completion of required preliminary learning;

  • the ability to meet essential assessment criteria;

  • safe participation in practical activity; and

  • any legitimate venue, insurance or professional requirements.

Requirements must relate to the genuine purpose, competence or safety needs of the course. They must not be applied as a pretext for discrimination.

A disability, health condition or additional need will not automatically prevent participation. Boxology Limited will consider reasonable adjustments before deciding that a person cannot safely or effectively complete an essential course requirement.

6. Children and young people

The adult age requirement for commercial professional courses does not prevent Boxology Limited from working with children and teenagers through appropriately designed programmes.

Children and young people may participate in activities commissioned or hosted by:

  • HEADGUARD C.I.C.;

  • following registration and trustee approval, a separate HEADGUARD CIO;

  • a school or educational establishment;

  • a charity or community organisation;

  • a care service;

  • a refuge or safe house;

  • a parent or person with parental responsibility; or

  • another approved partner.

These participants are not automatically commercial Boxology learners.

Age limits and group arrangements may be used where necessary to ensure:

  • age-appropriate content;

  • appropriate supervision;

  • safe physical activity;

  • safeguarding;

  • suitable communication;

  • lawful consent;

  • privacy and dignity; and

  • the effective delivery of the programme.

Safeguarding duties apply whenever an organisation works with or comes into contact with anyone under the age of 18.

7. Targeted programmes and beneficiary groups

Boxology Limited and HEADGUARD may work with defined groups whose needs require targeted or specialist delivery.

Depending on the responsible organisation and approved project, programmes may be designed for:

  • girls and young women;

  • women affected by sexual or domestic violence;

  • children and adults affected by abuse or exploitation;

  • survivors of trafficking;

  • people living in or leaving care;

  • people affected by war, conflict or displacement;

  • disabled people;

  • people experiencing social isolation or disadvantage;

  • refugees or people living in safe houses; or

  • another group with identified needs.

A targeted programme does not mean that every Boxology service is restricted to that group.

Eligibility restrictions must be connected to:

  • the purpose of the programme;

  • evidence of need, disadvantage or under-representation;

  • participant safety and safeguarding;

  • funding or commissioning requirements;

  • the governing document of the responsible organisation where relevant; and

  • applicable equality law.

Any restriction must be documented, reviewed and no wider than reasonably necessary.

Where a future HEADGUARD CIO restricts a charitable benefit by reference to a protected characteristic, that restriction must fall within its charitable purposes, be approved by its unconflicted trustees and satisfy the applicable legal and public-benefit requirements. Equality law permits carefully defined positive action and, in specified circumstances, targeted charitable benefits, but the conditions must be assessed rather than assumed.

Within an eligible beneficiary group, people must not be treated unfairly because of an unrelated protected characteristic.

8. HEADGUARD programme boundaries

Where Boxology Limited provides services for a HEADGUARD programme, delivery will follow the boundaries approved for that project.

HEADGUARD boxing and physical-activity programmes are:

  • safe;

  • trauma-informed;

  • non-contact; and

  • non-clinical.

They do not include or promote:

  • sparring;

  • competitive fighting;

  • participant-to-participant striking;

  • intentional impact contact;

  • aggressive or intimidating coaching;

  • violence or retaliation; or

  • pressure to participate beyond a person’s safe ability.

HEADGUARD programmes do not provide medical treatment, diagnosis, psychotherapy or counselling.

Participants will not be required to disclose trauma, abuse, sexual violence or other private experiences to access or participate in a programme unless limited information is genuinely required for safeguarding or safe delivery.

9. Sex and gender reassignment

Boxology Limited is committed to treating people respectfully and lawfully regardless of sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or gender expression.

Discrimination, harassment, intimidation or degrading treatment will not be tolerated.

Where an activity requires separate arrangements because of privacy, dignity, safeguarding, trauma-informed delivery or the specific needs of a beneficiary group, Boxology Limited will consider:

  • the purpose of the service;

  • the people for whom it is intended;

  • participant safety and vulnerability;

  • privacy and changing arrangements;

  • the relevant legal framework;

  • the views of the commissioning organisation;

  • reasonable alternative arrangements; and

  • whether the proposed approach is proportionate.

Any separate or targeted arrangements will be communicated sensitively. Individual circumstances will be considered where reasonably possible.

The terms sex and gender reassignment will be used in legal and policy decisions in accordance with the Equality Act and current authoritative guidance. Boxology may use broader respectful language in ordinary communication without misdescribing the statutory protected characteristics.

10. Race, nationality and cultural inclusion

Boxology Limited does not tolerate racism, racial harassment, xenophobia or discrimination connected with:

  • race;

  • colour;

  • nationality;

  • citizenship;

  • ethnic origin; or

  • national origin.

We will seek to create culturally respectful environments and will consider, where reasonably practicable:

  • language and communication requirements;

  • cultural context;

  • religious observance;

  • clothing and modesty needs;

  • dietary needs at events;

  • local customs and risks during overseas work; and

  • the effect of conflict, migration or displacement on participants.

Cultural or religious considerations will be respected unless they conflict with safeguarding, safety, law or the rights and dignity of another person.

11. Disability, neurodiversity and accessibility

Boxology Limited recognises that disability may be:

  • physical;

  • sensory;

  • neurological;

  • cognitive;

  • learning-related;

  • mental health-related;

  • visible; or

  • non-visible.

A person will not be required to disclose a diagnosis unless information is genuinely necessary for a specific lawful purpose.

We will consider reasonable adjustments such as:

  • adapted exercises or equipment;

  • lower-impact or seated participation;

  • additional explanation or demonstrations;

  • visual or written instructions;

  • accessible digital materials;

  • captions or transcripts where available;

  • additional time;

  • rest breaks;

  • changes to communication;

  • support from an approved person;

  • accessible premises; or

  • an appropriate alternative assessment method.

A reasonable adjustment will not be used to remove an essential competence or permit unsafe participation.

12. Pregnancy, maternity and caring responsibilities

Pregnancy or maternity will not automatically prevent a person from accessing learning or participation.

Relevant adjustments may include:

  • modified physical activity;

  • additional rest breaks;

  • a transfer or deferral;

  • extended course access;

  • an alternative assessment date; or

  • temporary suspension of membership.

Health and safety decisions will be based on individual circumstances and appropriate professional advice, not assumptions.

Boxology Limited will also consider reasonable practical arrangements for people with caring responsibilities where this does not fundamentally alter the activity or create disproportionate difficulty.

13. Religion or belief

People will be treated respectfully regardless of religion, religious belief or philosophical belief, including having no religion or belief.

Where reasonably practicable, Boxology Limited will consider:

  • religious observance;

  • prayer requirements;

  • appropriate clothing;

  • dietary requirements;

  • physical-contact concerns; and

  • scheduling issues.

Expression of a religion or belief does not permit harassment, intimidation or the denial of another person’s dignity and rights.

Respectful disagreement is not automatically harassment. Communication must remain professional and must not become threatening, abusive or personally degrading.

14. Sexual orientation

Boxology Limited will not tolerate discrimination, harassment or offensive conduct connected with:

  • a person’s sexual orientation;

  • perceived sexual orientation; or

  • association with lesbian, gay or bisexual people.

People are not required to disclose their sexual orientation unless they freely choose to do so.

15. Prohibited conduct

Boxology Limited does not tolerate:

  • direct or indirect discrimination;

  • harassment;

  • sexual harassment;

  • bullying;

  • victimisation;

  • intimidation;

  • hate speech;

  • hostile or degrading conduct;

  • discriminatory exclusion;

  • retaliation against a person who raises a concern;

  • unwanted disclosure of private personal information; or

  • instructions to discriminate unlawfully.

This applies to conduct occurring:

  • during courses, programmes and events;

  • on digital learning platforms;

  • in messages or group chats;

  • through social media;

  • at partner venues;

  • during travel or accommodation arranged for a programme; and

  • in any communication connected with Boxology or commissioned delivery.

16. Responsibilities

Boxology Limited directors

The directors are responsible for:

  • approving and reviewing this policy;

  • ensuring that Boxology decisions comply with it;

  • responding to serious concerns;

  • making resources available for reasonable adjustments where proportionate; and

  • ensuring that tutors and delivery personnel understand their responsibilities.

Tutors, coaches, contractors and volunteers

People delivering Boxology services must:

  • treat participants respectfully;

  • use inclusive and appropriate language;

  • follow safeguarding and safety procedures;

  • consider individual needs;

  • avoid assumptions about identity or ability;

  • report discriminatory conduct;

  • maintain professional boundaries; and

  • avoid retaliation against anyone raising a concern.

Learners and participants

Learners and participants must:

  • treat others with dignity and respect;

  • follow reasonable conduct and safety requirements;

  • avoid discriminatory, abusive or harassing behaviour;

  • respect privacy and confidentiality; and

  • raise concerns through the appropriate route.

HEADGUARD and partner organisations

Where work is commissioned by HEADGUARD or another organisation, the written arrangements should identify responsibility for:

  • participant selection;

  • reasonable adjustments;

  • safeguarding;

  • staffing;

  • complaints;

  • information sharing;

  • facilities;

  • supervision; and

  • incident management.

Boxology Limited remains responsible for its own acts, personnel and contractual responsibilities.

17. Recruitment and selection

Recruitment and selection decisions involving employees, tutors, contractors or volunteers will be based on relevant matters such as:

  • competence;

  • experience;

  • qualifications where required;

  • safeguarding suitability;

  • availability;

  • professional conduct; and

  • the genuine requirements of the role.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered during recruitment and engagement.

Where a role lawfully requires a particular characteristic because of the nature or context of the work, the requirement must be identified and justified rather than assumed.

18. Personal information and equality monitoring

Boxology Limited may collect proportionate equality information where there is a clear purpose, such as:

  • identifying barriers;

  • planning accessible services;

  • monitoring participation;

  • meeting a funder or contractual requirement; or

  • evaluating whether a targeted programme is reaching the intended group.

Providing monitoring information will normally be voluntary unless specific information is genuinely required for eligibility, safety, safeguarding or another lawful purpose.

Equality information will be handled under the Boxology Limited Privacy Notice.

Information does not automatically transfer between Boxology Limited, HEADGUARD C.I.C. and any future registered HEADGUARD CIO. Data-sharing responsibilities must be identified before information is transferred.

19. Raising a concern

A person who believes they have experienced or witnessed discrimination, harassment, bullying or exclusion should report it as soon as reasonably possible.

For concerns relating directly to Boxology Limited:

Email: info@boxology.academy

Please include, where possible:

  • your name and contact details;

  • the course, programme or service involved;

  • what happened;

  • when and where it occurred;

  • the people involved;

  • any witnesses or supporting information; and

  • the outcome you are seeking.

Anonymous concerns may be considered, although anonymity may limit the investigation or action available.

A concern relating to a HEADGUARD or partner programme should use the reporting route supplied for that programme. Boxology Limited will redirect or share the matter only where appropriate and lawful.

Safeguarding concerns must follow the applicable safeguarding procedure and must not be delayed while an equality complaint is considered.

Immediate danger or urgent medical need should be reported to the appropriate emergency service first.

20. Responding to concerns

Concerns will be handled as fairly, sensitively and confidentially as reasonably possible.

Boxology Limited may:

  • seek further information;

  • speak separately with relevant people;

  • preserve records;

  • introduce immediate protective measures;

  • involve a partner organisation;

  • obtain professional advice;

  • refer a safeguarding concern;

  • restrict or suspend participation; or

  • take contractual or disciplinary action.

A person raising a concern in good faith will not be disadvantaged merely for doing so.

A deliberately false or malicious allegation may itself be addressed under the relevant conduct procedure. An allegation that is not substantiated is not automatically malicious.

21. Breaches of this policy

A breach may result in:

  • informal guidance;

  • an apology or corrective action;

  • additional training;

  • a conduct warning;

  • removal of content;

  • restrictions on communication;

  • removal from a session;

  • suspension or termination of access;

  • ending a contractual or volunteer relationship;

  • referral to a commissioning organisation; or

  • referral to an appropriate statutory or professional body.

The response will take account of seriousness, impact, safeguarding risk, intent, repetition and any relevant mitigating circumstances.

22. External information

Independent information about equality rights and discrimination is available from:

  • the Equality and Human Rights Commission;

  • ACAS, for workplace matters;

  • Citizens Advice; and

  • GOV.UK equality and disability guidance.

These organisations do not replace Boxology Limited’s own responsibility to consider and respond to concerns appropriately.

23. Policy review

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner where:

  • equality law or authoritative guidance changes;

  • Boxology Limited’s activities change;

  • HEADGUARD or partner arrangements change;

  • a significant concern or incident identifies a gap;

  • monitoring identifies a barrier or pattern of disadvantage; or

  • safeguarding or operational practice requires amendment.

The person responsible for the review is:

Cathy Brown – Director, Boxology Limited

 
 

Boxology® Company number 10523458