Social value · All sectors
Equality, diversity and inclusion tender answer: what small suppliers can say honestly
Prepared by TenderChecker. Last reviewed 4 October 2026. General guidance only — every buyer's own instructions and criteria take priority.
Short answer
Go beyond 'we have a policy'. Describe how it works in practice: recruitment, training, reasonable adjustments and how concerns are raised.
Link it to the contract — for example how staff serve a diverse public.
What the buyer might be asking
- How do you promote equality in your workforce?
- How does this apply to service delivery?
Worked example (fictional)
Everything in this example — company, people and numbers — is invented for illustration.
Example question: Describe how you promote equality, diversity and inclusion in delivering this contract. (Max 400 words)
Fictional context: Fictional bidder: Clearline FM Ltd. Supplied fictional notes: job adverts in plain English; induction includes equality training; translated safety signage.
Weak draft (fictional)
We are an equal opportunities employer and treat everyone fairly.
What the draft misses
- Statement only; no practice or link to the contract.
A better version (using only the fictional facts above)
We write job adverts in plain English to widen the pool of applicants [insert where advertised]. Induction includes equality training [insert content]. We provide translated safety signage for staff [insert languages, if relevant]. [Insert how this applies to service users on this contract.]
Bracketed text marks facts the bidder still needs to supply. Never fill these with invented figures.
Evidence checklist
- ☐ Policy in practice
- ☐ Recruitment
- ☐ Training
- ☐ Adjustments
- ☐ Contract link
Common mistakes
- Policy statement only
- Overclaiming diversity figures