The Institute recognises that there is a wide range of contexts and roles for practitioners in the equality, diversity and human rights field. IEDP members may work in the public, private or voluntary sectors. The Institute’s membership includes people who are responsible for delivering equality and human rights outputs and outcomes as part of their job roles. It also includes people for whom responsibility for delivering these outputs and outcomes is their main or only remit. Levels of expertise can range from people starting to learn about aspects of the agenda to nationally recognised leaders in the field.

Because of the range of practitioner’s contexts and roles, the Institute will accredit  members at levels 1, 2 and 3 in accordance with its competency and assessment framework. Evidence of competency will be required for assessment at each level.

The Institute’s competency and assessment framework is the subject of formal consultation with members, who must comment on the draft framework by 30 April 2010. After this date, the framework will be finalised by the Board in time for formal ratification at the Institute’s next Annual General Meeting of members.