FOI2026/00293: Institutional Standards for Senior Leadership Training and PSED Compliance
Case reference FOI2026/00293
Received 8 April 2026
Published 11 June 2026
Request
Request received: 8 April 2026
I am making a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the training frameworks and Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) compliance standards for senior leadership across UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). To assist with a review of public sector institutional standards, please provide the requested information subdivided by financial year (April to March) for the period 1 April 2018 to 31 July 2022. Please further subdivide the data by the UKRI Corporate Hub and each of the nine constituent research councils (AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC, Innovate UK, MRC, NERC, Research England, and STFC). Definition of Senior Leadership (The "Target Cohort"): For the purposes of this request, "Senior Leadership" refers to individuals holding roles at Senior Grade Band X or Band Y (official equivalents to Senior Civil Service grades SCS1, SCS2, and SCS3). This includes, but is not limited to, Executive Chairs, Chief Operating Officers (COOs), Chief Finance Officers (CFOs), Directors, and members of a Council’s Senior Executive Team (SET). Request 1: Executive Training on Statutory Duties (Equality Act & PSED) For each year and each council, please provide:
a) The number of individuals in the "Target Cohort" who completed dedicated training on the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty (s.149).
b) Whether this training was a mandatory requirement for these senior roles.
c) The duration and a summary of the syllabus for these sessions.
Request 2: Neurodiversity Management Standards For each year and each council, please provide:
a) Details of specialized training delivered to the "Target Cohort" regarding the management of employees with neurodiversity (specifically Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and Dyslexia).
b) The duration and syllabus of such training, specifically clarifying if these sessions were designed to meet the "detailed training" standard for senior management as defined in paragraph 18.19 of the EHRC Employment Statutory Code of Practice.
Response
Response sent: 11 June 2026
Full details of this response are provided in the attached document
Documents
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