An understanding of issues around equality of opportunity is a pre-requisite for effective guidance. This section starts to explore some complex issues related to this area.

This section of the website aims to:

• Acknowledge the complexity of how disadvantage operates
• Emphasise the importance of a commitment to the pursuit of 'equal opportunities' that extends beyond knowledge of legislation
• Highlight the need for this commitment to address all aspects of disadvantage and permeate every activity
• Provide practical resources and relevant links for those who want to know more

Much research focuses on single dimensions of inequality. However, it is increasingly acknowledged that there is often a multi-dimensional aspect to inequality. The section on 'cross-cutting disadvantage' addresses this broader context.

If you are interested in the topic of Equal Opportunities in relation to career guidance you may wish to look at the European Guidance and Counseling Research Forum website, which has a particular focus on equality with a wider European dimension. Although still under-development, you will be able to accesss some different resources from this sister website.