Every Child Matters states that every child, whatever their background or circumstances, should have the support they need to: be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution, achieve economic wellbeing.

These five outcomes need to be at the heart of everything a school does and reinforced through every aspect of its curriculum - lessons, events, routines, the environment in which children learn and what they do out of school.

Added to this, all schools, colleges and training providers have a duty to promote equality of opportunity in the areas of race, disability, and gender, while additionally not to discriminate on the grounds of age, sexual orientation or religion and belief.

In developing your Diploma provision it is important to comply with all legal equalities requirements and keep the vision of Every Child Matters in mind. This will ensure that all learners are able to access the opportunities offered by the Diploma Lines of Learning.

Centres will need to tailor their equalities provision to meet local needs and make best use of their resources. In order to help you do that, there is a large range of advice available. You may find the following helpful in your planning:

DCFS - http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/

TDA - http://www.tda.gov.uk/

SSAT - http://www.specialistschools.org.uk/

Every Child Matters - http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_15299.aspx

Equality & Human Rights Commission - http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/Pages/default.aspx