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Equality, diversity and inclusion

The General Osteopathic Council is committed to promoting equity, valuing diversity and embracing inclusivity throughout our work as a regulator, as a service provider and as an employer.

The following information is available in Welsh: Cydraddoldeb, amrywiaeth a chynhwysiant

Our work is informed by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Framework.

Under the Equality Act 2010 we are subject to the ‘general equality duty’ that applies to all bodies exercising public functions.

Our equality and diversity objectives (as agreed by our Council) are to:

  • Ensure our regulatory activities are fair and free from unlawful discrimination
  • Ensure that promoting equality and valuing diversity are reflected in the standards we set for the osteopathy profession
  • Promote equality of opportunity and access to the osteopathy profession
  • Communicate and engage with a diverse range of stakeholders in an accessible manner
  • Ensure high standards of in the recruitment, development and ongoing work of staff and non-executives

Our Equality and Diversity Policy sets out in more detail how we intend to meet our equality and diversity objectives.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Pilot

In 2022 GOsC carried out a pilot to gather views from osteopaths about the questions and messaging we hope to use when collecting information on, and monitoring, diversity in the profession. In doing so, we hope to understand how our processes and procedures may impact on those with protected characteristics.

The findings of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) pilot, which included a survey and a series of online focus groups, was published March 2023. Read the EDI pilot findings report.

You can find out more about the pilot and our work to progress the report’s recommendations on our Equality, diversity and inclusion research page.

Students with a disability or health impairment

We want to ensure that people with disabilities who want to become osteopaths can choose to consider education, training and a career in osteopathy.

We therefore publish guidance for osteopathic students and osteopathic education providers about students with a disability or health impairment.