Guide 1
How to write an EDI professional services brief
An EDI professional services brief sets out what you want an external provider to help you achieve.
Read guide 1: How to write an EDI professional services briefFor organisations buying professional services
Commissioning Resource Centre
Practical guides to help you define requirements, commission inclusion services, compare providers and manage projects effectively.
Commissioning an EDI or inclusion service can be difficult to get right. You may know the outcome you want but not exactly what service you need, what to include in your brief, which questions to ask providers or how to compare different approaches.
These guides are designed for buyers — including employers, charities, public bodies, education providers, membership organisations and other organisations commissioning professional support.
They are not intended to tell you which provider to choose. Instead, they help you define what you need, assess proposals consistently and make a more informed commissioning decision.
The commissioning journey
From need to outcome
- 1Identify the need
- 2Choose the right service
- 3Define your brief
- 4Find relevant professionals
- 5Compare proposals
- 6Commission the work
- 7Manage delivery
- 8Evaluate the outcome
Practical guides for buying inclusion professional services
Commissioning guides
Whether you are commissioning an audit, developing a strategy, reviewing accessibility, arranging training or looking for specialist consultancy, these guides help you define what you need, brief providers, compare proposals and manage the work.
Start here
Guide 2
How to choose an EDI consultant
An EDI consultant provides specialist advice, support or expertise to help an organisation address equality, diversity and inclusion.
Read guide 2: How to choose an EDI consultantAssess and understand
Guide 3
How to commission an EDI audit
An EDI audit is a structured assessment of an organisation's current policies, practices, data, experiences and/or outcomes against a defined set of equality, diversity and inclusion objectives.
Read guide 3: How to commission an EDI auditGuide 4
How to commission an equality impact assessment
An equality impact assessment, often called an EIA, examines how a proposed policy, decision, service, programme or change may affect different groups.
Read guide 4: How to commission an equality impact assessmentGuide 5
How to commission inclusive research or engagement
Inclusive research or engagement helps an organisation understand the experiences, needs, views or barriers experienced by particular people or communities.
Read guide 5: How to commission inclusive research or engagementStrategy and change
Guide 6
How to commission an EDI strategy
An EDI strategy establishes an organisation's priorities, objectives and approach to improving equality, diversity and inclusion over a defined period.
Read guide 6: How to commission an EDI strategyGuide 7
How to commission EDI evaluation and impact measurement
Evaluation assesses whether an EDI intervention, programme or strategy is achieving its intended outcomes.
Read guide 7: How to commission EDI evaluation and impact measurementPeople and practice
Guide 8
How to choose an EDI training provider
EDI training helps people develop knowledge, understanding, confidence or skills relating to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Read guide 8: How to choose an EDI training providerGuide 9
How to commission an inclusive recruitment review
An inclusive recruitment review examines where barriers may exist within the recruitment process and what changes could improve fairness, accessibility and candidate experience.
Read guide 9: How to commission an inclusive recruitment reviewAccessibility and communications
Guide 10
How to commission an accessibility audit
An accessibility audit assesses whether a website, app, document, service, workplace environment or other asset can be accessed and used by people with different access needs.
Read guide 10: How to commission an accessibility auditGuide 11
How to commission inclusive communications support
Inclusive communications support helps organisations make information easier to understand, access and use across different audiences.
Read guide 11: How to commission inclusive communications supportDownloadable resources
Commissioning toolkit
Use and adapt these practical tools for your project. Example criteria and weightings are not universally appropriate.
DOCX download
EDI Professional Services Brief Template
Editable Word template for defining a complete requirement.
Download EDI Professional Services Brief Template (DOCX)XLSX download
Provider Comparison Scorecard
Editable spreadsheet with example weightings and weighted-total formulas.
Download Provider Comparison Scorecard (XLSX)PDF download
Provider Questions Checklist
Accessible one-page checklist for provider conversations.
Download Provider Questions Checklist (PDF)Find relevant professionals
Find professionals with relevant expertise for your requirement.
Use InclusionFind to explore providers and compare their experience, services and approach. InclusionFind does not endorse providers or guarantee suitability.
Important information
These guides provide general commissioning information. They are not legal, procurement, accessibility-compliance or equality-law advice. If your organisation is subject to specific statutory or procurement requirements, check the current requirements that apply to your organisation and circumstances.
Provider profiles contain provider-supplied information. InclusionFind does not accredit, rank or endorse providers and does not guarantee their suitability.