Members' Area Job Board Contact Us
CPD & Events
Our Work
Membership
Advice & Guidance

IELA

Welcome to IELA, The Inclusion and Equity Leadership Association. We champion equity, diversity and inclusion and highlight the benefits of inclusive organisations.

We offer advice and guidance, the latest information and news and support with policies and compliance. IELA supports excellence in equity and inclusion work and actively advocates for change through training, resources, networking, consultancy work and much more.

Membership

IELA represents all educational settings, including schools, colleges and universities, charities, organisations, corporate companies and businesses in the UK and world-wide. We invite all to access our services and show their commitment to EDI by becoming a member.
Explore

CPD & Events

IELA provides regular opportunities for members to develop their knowledge and understanding and to support commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion with forums, seminars, webinars, accredited training courses, conferences and more. We cover a range of necessary and relevant topics to enable progression within EDI.
Explore

Advice & Guidance

IELA provides advice and guidance services to all of our members on their EDI journey. We deliver support on key issues surrounding Equity, Diversity and inclusion. From looking at government legislation with an EDI lens to supporting you on an individual basis with queries and questions. We support you with tools and strategies to make the best choices with EDI at heart.
Explore
10
Sep
Online
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Update your SEND and EDI-related policies

SIGN UP
18
Sep
Online
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Cultural competence

SIGN UP
11
Nov
Online
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Fostering psychological safety for all

SIGN UP
06
Oct
Online
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Understanding intersectionality and race

SIGN UP
09
Dec
Online
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Mitigating unconscious bias

SIGN UP
24
Sep
Forum
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

EDI Roundtable

SIGN UP
08
Oct
Online
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

SEN funding: how to challenge local authorities and improve chances of adequate EHCP/SEN funding for boarding schools

SIGN UP
01
Dec
Online
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Accessibility in focus

SIGN UP
04
Dec
Online
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Understanding Executive Functioning Skills: Supporting boarders with life management, emotions and goals

SIGN UP
28
Nov
Online
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Supporting Neurodivergence in your setting

SIGN UP
See all Events

Latest Jobs

Posted on: 31-07-2025

Head of Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism – Shelter

Deadline: 17-08-2025
Apply now
Posted on: 25-07-2025

Director of Membership & Inclusion – The Institute of Physics (IOP)

Deadline: 18-08-2025
Apply now
Posted on: 31-07-2025

Senior Manager, Culture, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, People and Insights Division – Bank of England

Deadline: 20-08-2025
Apply now
Posted on: 06-08-2025

EDI Administrator (Capital City College)

Deadline: 01-09-2025
Apply now
Posted on: 12-08-2025

Chief of Staff (Kingston University)

Deadline: 03-09-2025
Apply now
Posted on: 12-08-2025

National SEND Coordinator (Independent Schools Association)

Deadline: 11-09-2025
Apply now
Posted on: 12-08-2025

Head of SEND (Independent Schools Association)

Deadline: 11-09-2025
Apply now
Posted on: 13-05-2025

Bank Lecturer – Care, Health and Sport (West Lothian College)

Deadline: 19-04-2026
Apply now
Posted: 13 Aug 2025

Teachers can ask to be called Mx rather than Mr or Mrs, says…

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has confirmed that transgender teachers in England may request to be addressed as “Mx” instead of traditional titles like “Miss” or “Sir,” though schools are not obliged to enforce this choice. She emphasized that such requests should be met with mutual respect, balancing individual identity expression with the rights and views of others. The government is preparing comprehensive transgender guidance to support schools in navigating these...

Read Article
Posted: 6 Aug 2025

Honours system gets new role to make awards more inclusive

A new Diversity and Outreach Committee, chaired by business leader Moni Mannings, has been established within the UK Honours System to help make national awards more inclusive and accessible to a broader and more diverse range of communities. The committee will support different honours subcommittees by guiding policy improvements, conducting regional and sector outreach, and encouraging nominations from underrepresented groups. Its goal is to ensure the UK honours system better reflects...

Read Article
Posted: 25 Jul 2025

Olympian teams up with researchers to make PE kit more inclusive for teen…

Team GB hockey forward Tess Howard, who represented Great Britain at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has partnered with Dr Alice Porter, a specialist in physical activity and diet at the University of Bristol. A new study, published in BMJ Open, involved focus groups and interviews with 12–13‑year‑old girls and PE teachers in mixed‑sex secondary schools across England. The research found that when girls feel they lack choice over their PE...

Read Article
Posted: 25 Jun 2025

UK small businesses called to swap “Rainbow-Washing” for year-round LGBTQIA+ inclusion this Pride…

Small UK businesses are being encouraged to steer away from one‑off rainbow logos and Pride-themed marketing (“rainbow-washing”) and instead commit to genuine, year-round LGBTQIA+ inclusion—both in workplace policies and public actions. This includes adopting inclusive HR practices, launching training on LGBTQ+ issues (especially for trans and non-binary staff), creating employee resource groups, and engaging consistently with LGBTQ+ communities—not just during June. The call aligns with initiatives like Pride in London’s...

Read Article
Posted: 25 Jun 2025

‘One kid at a time’: How children’s books on male friendship could combat…

Children’s literature is increasingly spotlighting male friendship to challenge toxic masculinity, a shift highlighted by the 2025 Carnegie Medal shortlist. Winners like Margaret McDonald’s Glasgow Boys and Nathanael Lessore’s King of Nothing depict nuanced male bonds—ranging from trauma responses to peer support—offering boys relatable and empathetic role models. These stories serve as “empathy machines,” countering the misogynistic narratives of the manosphere and gaming culture while reigniting reading interest among boys,...

Read Article
Posted: 19 Jun 2025

“How I unlearned the internalised prejudice I had as a Black woman –…

In this article, the author reflects on her journey as a Black British woman unlearning internalized prejudice around her natural hair. For years, she wore “safe” hairstyles to avoid negative stereotypes and microaggressions in white-dominated spaces. A trip to Jamaica inspired her to explore a wider variety of afro-centric styles, helping her reconnect with her identity and challenge ingrained notions of professionalism and beauty rooted in Eurocentric standards. Through this...

Read Article
Posted: 18 Jun 2025

IELA Blog: Refugee Week

Refugee Week is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the experiences of refugees and on the profound ways immigration continues to shape and strengthen our communities. This week is a chance to celebrate, value, and shine a light on the great contributions immigration brings to our society.   Refugee Week reminds us that we need to continue to learn about the experiences of the Refugee community and honour the strength...

Read Article
Posted: 13 Jun 2025

Childline delivers thousands of counselling sessions to young people about sexuality and gender…

Childline—a free, confidential NSPCC service—provided over 2,400 counselling sessions in the last year on sexuality and gender identity. The majority involved trans and non-binary young people, reflecting significant demand for support on issues like coming out, identity questions, bullying, and discrimination. Resources for both young people and adults, coupled with active engagement during Pride Month, aim to foster understanding, inclusion, and acceptance. Source: NSPCC Read the full article

Read Article
Posted: 5 Jun 2025

Number of people with ADHD ‘probably isn’t increasing that much’ – study reports

A recent study indicates that the actual prevalence of ADHD in England hasn’t significantly increased, despite a notable rise in individuals seeking assessments. This surge is attributed to heightened public awareness, reduced stigma, and potential pandemic-related disruptions. Researchers also highlight the ambiguous relationship between social media usage and ADHD symptoms, noting it’s unclear whether online activity exacerbates symptoms or if individuals with ADHD are more inclined towards such platforms. While...

Read Article
Posted: 30 May 2025

IELA Podcast: Episode 4 Meaningful ways to diversify and decolonise your curriculum

Welcome to the very first mini podcast series by the Inclusion, Equity and Leadership Association, also known as (IELA). This series is called The IELA Exchange: Conversations about Inclusion. In episode 4 we explore meaningful ways to diversify and decolonise your curriculum. Host: Gaelle Sullivan, Director of Research, Inclusion and IELA Guest speaker: Dr Robert Power  

Read Article
See all News

Membership

IELA represents all educational settings, including independent and state schools, colleges and universities, charities, organisations, corporate companies and businesses in the UK and world-wide.

Find out more about Membership here.

Memberships