Appendix J Business Planning 2019/20-2023/2024 Cumulative ...

Appendix J

Business Planning

2019/20-2023/2024

Cumulative Equalities Impact Assessment (CEIA)

2019/20

Strategy Unit, Commissioning Group

Business Plan Cumulative Equalities Impact Assessment, London Borough of Barnet 2

1. Introduction and scope of assessment

Barnet Council, in line with its statutory responsibilities, undertakes Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs). EIAs provide a systematic way of assessing the impact of decision making on different equality groups. During the Council’s annual budget cycle, EIAs are completed for all proposals identified as requiring them to inform decision making. An EIA should be completed if a proposal affects residents or staff with protected characterises; these characteristics are set out on page two of this appendix. This document summarises the Equality Impact Assessment for the budget proposals for the financial year 2019/20 and also takes account of previous CEIA reports. Budget decisions can have different impacts on different groups of people, either through changes to individual services or changes to a range of services, which have an impact cumulatively on a particular group. This report highlights:

➢ The key impacts of potential budget decisions for legally protected groups

➢ Where a series of decisions might have a greater negative impact on a specific

group

➢ Ways in which negative effects across the council may be minimised or avoided,

and where positive impacts can be maximised or created

2. Legal duties Decision makers should have due regard to the public sector equality duty in making their decisions. The equalities duties are continuing duties they are not duties to secure a particular outcome. The equalities impact will be revisited on each of the proposals as they are developed. Consideration of the duties should precede the decision. It is important that Policy and Resources committee has regard to the statutory grounds in the light of all available material such as consultation responses. The statutory grounds of the public sector equality duty are found at section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and are as follows: A public authority must, in the exercise of its functions, have due regard to the need to: (a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act; (b) advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it; (c) Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. Having due regard to the need to advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it involves having due regard, in particular, to the need to: (a) remove or minimise disadvantages suffered by persons who share a relevant protected characteristic that are connected to that characteristic; (b) take steps to meet the needs of persons who share a relevant protected characteristic that are different from the needs of persons who do not share it;


(c) Encourage persons who share a relevant protected characteristic to participate in public life or in any other activity in which participation by such persons is disproportionately low. The steps involved in meeting the needs of disabled persons that are different from the needs of persons who are not disabled include, in particular, steps to take account of disabled persons’ disabilities. Having due regard to the need to foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it involves having due regard, in particular, to the need to: (a) Tackle prejudice, and (b) Promote understanding. Compliance with the duties in this section may involve treating some persons more favourably than others; but that is not to be taken as permitting conduct that would otherwise be prohibited by or under this Act. The relevant protected characteristics are: • Age • Disability • Gender reassignment • Pregnancy and maternity • Race, • Religion or belief • Sex • Sexual orientation • Marriage and Civil partnership The Equality Duty does not impose a legal requirement to conduct an Equality Impact Assessment, rather it requires public bodies to demonstrate their consideration of the Equality Duty and the conscious thought of the Equality Duty as part of the process of decision-making. This entails an understanding of the potential effect the organisation’s activities could have on different people and a record of how decisions were reached. In addition to the protected characteristics identified within the Equality Duty, Barnet Council also considers the impact of decision making on other groups who may be considered disadvantaged and/or vulnerable. This includes carers, unemployed people, families on low wage, and people with a particular disability such as a learning disability or a mental health condition which might mean that our proposals will impact more heavily on them.

3. Our approach

In Barnet we use the EIA process to identify the main potential impacts on groups covered by legislation (the protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010). The budget savings report includes a line for each savings proposal, indicating whether or not an EIA is required. An EIA is required for any proposal which alters service delivery and is assessed to impact those with protected characteristics. This report identifies areas where there is a risk that changes resulting from individual budget proposals for 2019/2020, may have, when considered together, a negative impact on particular groups.


It is important to note this is an ongoing process. As individual budget proposals are developed and implemented, they will be subject to further assessment. This assessment also describes mitigating actions that are being put in place.

4. Context

We have big ambitions for Barnet, but like all councils we’re in a difficult financial situation, with over £60m to save over the next five years. This is in the context of more and more people needing our services, increasing costs, and uncertainty about our future funding. So far, Barnet has been innovative in its approach to tackling this financial challenge by being open to new ways of doing things, finding ways to become even more efficient and working closely with partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors. But having already made a significant amount of reductions, the process of finding further savings is getting increasingly more difficult. Going forward, the council will need to make some tough decisions about priorities and how we spend our limited resources, and it is important for us to ensure we get residents views and feedback on what matters to them and how we should approach this. In March 2019 Barnet Council will consider and adopt its Corporate Plan: 2019-2024. The three outcomes in the draft Corporate Plan are;

1. A pleasant, well maintained borough that we protect and invest in 2. Our residents live happy, healthy, independent lives with the most vulnerable

protected 3. Safe and strong communities where people get along well.

The Draft Corporate Plan 2019-2024 also includes the Council’s updated Strategic Equalities Objective: Ensuring that residents are treated equally, with understanding and respect, and all have access to quality services. During the autumn, we consulted with residents on what their priorities for the borough are and found that there was strong agreement for our outcomes of; protecting the most vulnerable, maintaining our pleasant borough and having safe and strong communities. There was also a clear theme around how we balance our council tax rates with being able to deliver services.

5. Findings from previous years

The CEIA for 2018/19 showed that the Budget proposals would have positive and neutral benefits on Barnet residents and businesses including the protected characteristics. However, minimal negative impacts were identified in the following areas, where mitigating actions would need to be introduced:

➢ The Adult Social Care fairer contributions policy will impact on older residents.

The mitigation is that an affordability assessment will be carried out in each case.

➢ People with mental health issues, older people, people in receipt of social care

benefit, carers and some people with disabilities including learning difficulties

will be affected by service changes to mental health support, floating support

and grant funding changes to Chinese Mental Health Association, Asian

Women’s Association, Community Focus and Inclusion Barnet. Mitigations


include a changed service delivery model and sustained communication with

service users and service provider organisations.

6. 2019/20 Savings Proposals with EIAs

The following table summarises the 2019/20 budget savings proposals which have EIAs. Some savings proposals for 2019/20 do not yet have EIAs, but these will be developed as plans are developed. These are;

• Public Health: S1 Healthy Children’s Programme (to be presented to Committee

before June 2019)

• Environment: G1 Introduction of 3G pitches (to be presented to Committee in

June 2019)

• Adults and Safeguarding: E4 Rescoping and targeting of prevention contracts

(to be assessed on a contract by contract basis)


19/20 savings proposals

1 The negative impact may affect some older people, people with disabilities or those from specific religious backgrounds however, it will not negatively impact all of those identified therefore the overall impact has remained positive / neutral.

Budget Ref

Description of proposals Overall

Outcome of EIA

Age

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Adults and Safeguarding Committee

E3 Transformation of Your Choice Barnet supported living and day-care services (see link in Appendix Q)

Positive + + + + + +

E6 Meeting eligible needs in more cost-effective settings: The council will have due regard for use of resources when support planning to create more cost-effective support plans This will mean considering the full range of care options to meet eligible needs (e.g. residential care), rather than offering community-based placements (e.g. supported living) by default (see Appendix J.1)

Negative impact / impact

unknown

- - - - - (Carers, those on a low income, young people

NEET)

I4 Implementing a pre-paid card solution and transitioning 80% of direct payment clients to it (see Appendix J.2)

Negative - - - (Carers, those on a low

income)

R1 Increasing the independence of older adults / clients with physical disabilities through supporting older people in alternative ways, through a community offer

Positive / Neutral1

- - - - (Carers)

Key: Positive + Negative - Unknown x


of support, instead of high cost care packages and residential placements (see Appendix J.3)

R5 Increased use of assistive technology (e.g. sensors, alarms, monitoring systems) both in individuals' homes and in residential and nursing care (see Appendix J.4)

Positive + + (Carers)

R8 Support for working age adults: Review support packages and develop support plans to increase independence, improve wellbeing and reduce costs. This is likely to include the following: step down accommodation setting to less intensive option, step up setting where there is a risk of carer breakdown, support individuals in gaining and maintaining employment, utilise care technologies to improve independence and reduce intrusiveness of care, develop the shared lives offering within LBB and increase the number of referrals (see Appendix J.5)

Positive / neutral

+ + + (Carers, unemployed, young people NEET)

Environment Committee

G4 Parking Fees and Charges Review (see link in Appendix Q)

Neutral - (people with a low

income, unemployed, young people NEET)

G8 & P2

Advertising: Renewal of the current JC Decaux Contract. A number of opportunities have been identified for advertising across the public realm, including; highways, bus shelters, public conveniences, parks and open spaces, and town centres. Cases will be dealt with in accordance with the council's policy on a case by case basis (see Appendix J.6)

Impact unknown /

negative impact

x x x


P3 Street Lighting: Proposed LED retrofit of street lighting across the borough to improve energy efficiency, light quality, and value for money (see Appendix J.7)

Limited negative

-

Policy and Resources

P&R1 Council Tax support - Introduction of a banded scheme to support Universal Credit roll out (see link in Appendix Q)

Negative - - - - - (Carers, some families

and lone parents, people with a low

income, unemployed people and young

people NEET)

Children, Education and Safeguarding

S2 Development of 0-19 Family Hubs, including reconfiguration of Council staff into Hubs, with no impact on front line staff (see link in Appendix Q)

No impact

Initial Resident/Service User EIA

7. Analysis of the cumulative equalities impact

For the 19/20 budget there are 12 savings proposals for which EIAs have been conducted. Of these; six have forecasted the outcome of a positive or neutral impact, three negative impact and two that the impact is negative/unknown2.

It is anticipated that there could be a cumulative equalities impact on two of the protected characteristics – age and disability – alongside a cumulative impact on some of the other identified key groups. This includes carers, people on a low income, those unemployed and young people who are NEET. Further detail on these impacts and any identified mitigating actions can be found below.

It is important to note that there are also continuations of savings proposals from previous years that may add to any potential cumulative impacts, as discussed in Section 6. People with protected characteristics that were negatively impacted by the 18/19 budget included older residents, people in receipt of social care benefit, carers and some people with disabilities including learning difficulties.

Age

Two of the 11 EIAs completed show a positive impact on specific age groups (young people and people of working age), details of which can be found in Table One below.

Of the 11 EIAs completed, three of these show possible negative impacts on older service users and those of working age within Barnet. These are mainly due to the changes to the way in which Adult Social Care services are delivered however also include impacts from changes across other council services. These impacts have been thoroughly considered and the following mitigations have been identified. It is anticipated that further mitigations will be put in place as and when proposals and projects develop.

The table below illustrates the impacts and mitigating actions.

Table One Negative Impact and Mitigations on Age

Ref. Impact Mitigation

E3 There is a positive or neutral impact on older service users as changes to services will enable them to have services that better meets their aspirations for greater choice, inclusion and employment.

E6 In 2017/18, 81% of new social care placements were for older adults. This means that this change would disproportionately impact older people.

All care packages offered will be the result of needs assessment by a social work professional (or trusted assessor), and continue to take all eligible needs into account. Gaps in provision for this equality strand will be monitored and addressed by our Commissioning and Care Quality functions.

2 Savings Proposals G8 and P2 have one EIA, meaning there are 11 EIAs for 12 proposals.


I4 Negative impact: Shifting to more online services which older people may feel uncomfortable or unable to do

Support and guidance offered for any services switching online, alongside alternative options where required

R1 Increasing social isolation if more home adaptations lead to less physical visits

Full consultation and engagement with individuals on their care plans and any changes being made, including considering social needs and identifying other ways these can be met. Practice from providers to be monitored by our Commissioning and Care Quality functions

R8 This work is focused on adults of working age receiving social care support. Equalities impact assessments for service user impact has been undertaken and shows positive /neutral impact on service users.

P&R1 Increases in the amount of Council Tax required to pay for working age claimants due to the revised Council Tax support scheme

Resources to continue to be made available to support the most vulnerable

Disabilities

Four of the 11 EIAs show a possible positive impact on those with disabilities, details of which can be found it Table Two below.

Five of the 11 EIAs show a possible negative impact on those with disabilities. These again centre around the changes in service delivery of Adults Social Care and are similar to the impacts above. These impacts have been thoroughly considered and the following mitigations have been identified. It is anticipated that further mitigations will be put in place as and when proposals and projects develop.

The table below illustrates the impacts and mitigating actions.

Table Two: Negative Impact and Mitigations Disabilities


E3 Positive or neutral impact on service users, service users with learning disabilities and their carers, as changes to services will enable them to have services that better meets their aspirations for greater choice, inclusion and employment.

E6 Based on the equality act definition, it is likely that a

All care packages offered will be the result of needs assessment by a social


significant proportion of clients receiving social care could be defined as having a disability. This change would therefore have a greater impact on people with this characteristic compared to the wider population, but this specific change does not discriminate on the basis of disability. The cohort that this will affect will likely include clients with mental health issues. If they had a preference for a community placement but were only offered residential placements under this practice change, this could be considered as a negative impact.

work professional (or trusted assessor), and continue to take all eligible needs into account. Gaps in provision for this equality strand will be monitored and addressed by our Commissioning and Care Quality functions. The views of the client, family and carers will continue to be considered throughout assessment and support planning. Eligible needs, which include ‘developing and maintaining family or other personal relationships’ will also continue to be met.

I4 There may be people with mental health conditions who receive direct payment, they will similarly be affected by the proposal.

There will be communication with current direct payment clients to provide information, advice, and support on the shift, to ease and alleviate fears. Clients can opt out of using prepaid cards, and instead choose to continue using Direct Payment.

R1 People remaining in their own homes supported through the use of equipment and adaptations as opposed to home care visits may feel more isolated

Full consultation and engagement with individuals on their care plans and any changes being made, including considering social needs and identifying other ways these can be met

R5 There is a potential positive /neutral impact on staff and service users.

R8 This proposal is anticipated to impact clients positively by improving independence, supporting individuals in gaining and maintaining employment, and reducing the intrusiveness of care.

P3 Changes to LED street lighting affecting those who have sensitivities to high colour temperature lighting

Researching best practice and putting a limit on the colour temperature for any change in street lighting

P&R1 People with mental health will not be disproportionately affected compared to any other working age group, however, they will be

In order to mitigate against this, resources will continue to be available to support the most vulnerable and this may be met through the council’s


impacted by the reduction in support.

Discretionary Funds in accordance with Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

Marital Status

Two of the 11 EIAs show a possible negative impact on individuals depending on their marital status, details of which can be found it Table Three below.

The negative impacts are as a result of proposed changes in service delivery of Adults Social Care and as a result of the proposed changes to Council Tax support. These impacts have been thoroughly considered and the following mitigations have been identified. It is anticipated that further mitigations will be put in place as and when proposals and projects develop.

Table Three: Negative Impact and Mitigations – Marital Status


E6 Whilst people of a certain marital status may be over- / under- represented in the LBB social care client cohort or the specific cohort impacted by this change, assessments and support plans / accommodation options will continue to be based on social care eligible needs; not other characteristics including marital status. It is possible that married people may be indirectly discriminated against through this change, based on residential placements being ‘less accessible’ to spouses, or spouses preferring a community placement but having to accept a residential placement based on value for money. However, it does not necessarily follow that residential placements are more restrictive than community placements in terms of family access, and the views of the client, family and carers will continue to be considered throughout assessment and support planning. Eligible needs, which include ‘developing and maintaining family or other personal relationships’ will also continue to be met.

The views of the client, family and carers will continue to be considered throughout assessment and support planning. Eligible needs, which include ‘developing and maintaining family or other personal relationships’ will also continue to be met.

P&R1 Couples (not necessarily married) on average will be impacted more than single people. The main reasons for this are typically higher net earnings and/or larger properties. Typically, the larger the property the higher Council Tax band which means any percentage to pay increases.

In order to mitigate against this, resources will continue to be available to support the most vulnerable and this may be met through the council’s Discretionary Funds in accordance with Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.


Other key groups

There are four other key identified groups that may experience a cumulative negative impact from the 19/20 savings proposals. This includes; carers, people on a low income, those unemployed and young people who are NEET.

Those on a low income, unemployed or young people who are NEET may experience a negative impact from the potential changes in environmental fees and charges (e.g. parking) and the amount of Council Tax they may have to pay due to the revised Council Tax support scheme. However, all fees and charges will be reviewed within the statutory framework and resources will continue to be made available to support the most vulnerable where needed e.g. Discretionary Housing Payments.

Carers may feel that the reduced use of residential placements puts increased pressure on them however we will continue to carry out carers assessments to identify the needs of the carer and the impact of the service users support plan on them and will explore alternative, community-based options for respite.

8. Results from the budget consultation

The council consulted on its 19/20 budget between 12 December and 16 January. A total of 198 individuals responded to the Budget Consultation survey, with a further nine written responses received.

A break-down of respondents by protected characteristic is provided in the accompanying Appendix H. Due to the low response rate to questions on protected characteristics, it has not been possible to analyse the survey results by protected characteristics.

Related to the cumulative impacts outlined above, nine respondents (15%3) raised particular concern for saving E6 from Adults and Communities: Meeting eligible needs in more cost- effective settings Respondents reported that they disagreed with the saving line and had concerns with regards to its legality. Some respondents also commented that it was ‘going in the wrong direction’. Two written responses from representatives of a community group also cited similar concerns about this saving line.

9. Conclusion

For the 19/20 budget there are 12 savings proposals for which 11 EIAs have been conducted (proposals G8 and P2 have a combined EIA). Of these; six have forecasted the outcome of a positive or neutral impact, three negative impact and two that the impact is negative/unknown

3 Respondents were asked if they had any comments to make about the saving and income proposals identified for 2019/20. Of those who responded to the questionnaire, 60 out of 198 gave a response to this question. Percentages are based on those who answered this question


However, within overall positive and neutral EIAs there are also some negative impacts on certain characteristics.

Overall it has been identified that there may be a cumulative negative impact on residents with disabilities, on those within certain age groups and on individuals depending on their marital status.

There are also some cumulative positive impacts, with young people, those of working age and those with disabilities being positive impacted by the proposed changes.

In addition to those with protected characteristics, the following groups may be negatively impacted by the 19/20 budget: carers, people on a low income, those unemployed and young people who are NEET.

The CEIA underlines that as the council takes some difficult decisions about service provision, we identify and take practical steps to mitigate, wherever possible, any negative impacts of specific proposals for our residents including the protected characteristics and other vulnerable groups.

The council is satisfied that this CEIA demonstrates how we have paid due regard to equalities, analysed the individual and cumulative impacts of our proposals, taking account of any negative impact from previous years and making every effort to avoid, minimise and mitigate any negative impacts wherever possible (as outlined in the individual EIAs). However, given the scale of savings the council is obliged to make, change is inevitable.

10. Looking Forward

The EIA process is an iterative process. As Budget proposals are implemented, they will be kept under review and further equalities analysis will be undertaken and individual EIAs updated as proposals develop.


Appendix J1

Initial Equality Analysis (EIA) Resident/Service User

1. Details of function, policy, procedure or service:

Title of what is being assessed: Meeting eligible needs in more cost-effective accommodation settings (including residential settings)

Is it a new or revised: function, policy, procedure or service?

Revised procedure / practice: This will mean identifying accommodation options that meet eligible needs but considering the full range of options (e.g. residential care), rather than only offering community-based placements (e.g. supported living) by default. The saving level assumes that new clients are placed in cheaper accommodation settings where appropriate, and is calculated by assuming 50% of the current differential between high cost community placements and the maximum usual price for a residential placement is saved.

Department and Section: Adults and Communities

Date assessment completed: 12 November 2018

2. Names and roles of people completing this assessment:

Lead Officer James Mass

Other groups Service users across care groups Carers Providers

3. Employee Profile of the Project:

Will the proposal affect employees? DO NOT DELETE THIS SECTION

YES If yes, please seek assistance from HR to complete the employee EIA

NO If no please explain why: This will not have a direct impact on staff as the process is already being followed.

Initial Resident/Service User EIA

4. How are the following equality strands affected? Please detail the effect on each equality strand and any mitigating action you have taken/ require. Please include any relevant data, if you do not have relevant data please explain why/ plans to capture data.

Equality Strand Affected? Explain how affected Indicate what action has been taken/ or is planned to mitigate impact?

1. Age Yes No

An analysis of new clients who received a home-care package at a higher cost than residential care in 2017/18 (this can be viewed as the equivalent of the cohort that would be affected by this procedural change) showed that 75% (63 out of 85) were aged 65+. This means that this change would disproportionately impact older people. However, this is also a reflection of the nature of the wider adult social care client base: in 2017/18, 81% of new social care placements were for older adults, as there is a correlation between having eligible care needs and age. Therefore this does not represent discrimination. Decisions / practice will continue to be based on meeting eligible social care needs, without discrimination based on age.

All care packages offered will be the result of needs assessment by a social work professional (or trusted assessor), and continue to take all eligible needs into account. Gaps in provision for this equality strand, or the unlikely event of discrimination based on this strand from providers will be monitored and addressed by our Commissioning and Care Quality functions.

2. Disability Yes No

Based on the equality act definition, it is likely that a significant proportion of clients receiving social care could be defined as having a disability. This change would therefore have a greater impact on people with this characteristic compared to the wider population, but this specific change does not discriminate on the basis of disability. Decisions / practice will continue to be based on meeting eligible social care needs, without discrimination based on disability.

All care packages offered will be the result of needs assessment by a social work professional (or trusted assessor), and continue to take all eligible needs into account. Gaps in provision for this equality strand, or the unlikely event of discrimination based on this strand from providers will be monitored and addressed by our Commissioning and Care Quality functions.

3. Gender reassignment

Yes No

We do not have data available that shows whether people with reassigned genders are over- or under- represented in social care client

N/A



cohorts, but there is no obvious reason to suspect that this group is more likely to be impacted by this changed based on prevalence. Decisions / practice will continue to be based on meeting eligible social care needs, without discrimination based on gender reassignment.

4. Pregnancy and maternity

Yes No

We do not have local data available that shows whether pregnant people are over- or under- represented in social care client cohorts, but based on age profiles of adult social care clients (the majority of whom are over 65), and pregnancy (see below), it is likely that pregnant people are proportionately less likely to be impacted by this change.

It is possible that mothers may be indirectly discriminated against through this change, based on residential placements being ‘less accessible’ to family members or family members preferring a community placement but having to accept a residential placement on the basis of value for money. However, it does not necessarily follow that residential

The views of the client, family and carers will continue to be considered throughout assessment and support planning. Eligible needs, which include ‘developing and maintaining family or other personal relationships’ will also continue to be met. Gaps in provision for this equality strand, based on this strand from providers will be monitored and addressed by our Commissioning and Care Quality functions.



placements are more restrictive than community placements in terms of family access, and the views of the client, family and carers will continue to be considered throughout assessment and support planning. Eligible needs, which include ‘developing and maintaining family or other personal relationships’ will also continue to be met.

5. Race/ Ethnicity

Yes No

Whilst people of certain races / ethnicity may be over- / under- represented in the LBB social care client cohort or the specific cohort impacted by this change, assessments and support plans / accommodation options will continue to be based on social care eligible needs; not other characteristics including race / ethnicity.

N/A

6. Religion or belief

Yes No

Whilst people of certain religion / belief may be over- / under- represented in the LBB social care client cohort or the specific cohort impacted by this change, assessments and support plans / accommodation options will continue to be based on social care eligible needs; not other characteristics including race / ethnicity. It is possible that, due to different prices quoted / paid to providers for meeting the needs in line with people’s certain religious beliefs or culture, that this group is more / less likely to be impacted by this change. However, this is likely to be different for each individual, so data analysis would not usefully support a conclusion here.

Gaps in provision for this equality strand, will be monitored and addressed by our Commissioning and Care Quality functions

7. Gender/ Sex Yes No

Whilst people of certain gender / se may be over- / under- represented in the LBB social care client cohort or the specific cohort impacted by this change, assessments and support plans / accommodation options will continue to be based on social care eligible needs; not other characteristics including race / ethnicity. There may be scope for indirect discrimination if providers do not have / offer placements for people of a specific gender / sex, meaning that certain groups are more likely to be offered a residential placement instead of a community placement to meet their needs. However, this is unlikely to be the case given that services are commissioned to meet

Gaps in provision for this equality strand, or will be monitored and addressed by our Commissioning and Care Quality functions



existing needs and demographics, with provider quality monitored through the CQC and LBB’s Care Quality Team.

8. Sexual orientation

Yes No

Whilst people of a certain sexual orientation may be over- / under- represented in the LBB social care client cohort or the specific cohort impacted by this change, assessments and support plans / accommodation options will continue to be based on social care eligible needs; not other characteristics including sexual orientation. We do not hold comprehensive data on sexual orientation so will not complete further analysis on this.

Gaps in provision for this equality strand, will be monitored and addressed by our Commissioning and Care Quality functions

9. Marital Status Yes No

Whilst people of a certain marital status may be over- / under- represented in the LBB social care client cohort or the specific cohort impacted by this change, assessments and support plans / accommodation options will continue to be based on social care eligible needs; not other characteristics including marital status. It is possible that married people may be indirectly discriminated against through this change, based on residential placements being ‘less accessible’ to spouses, or spouses preferring a community placement but having to accept a residential placement based on value for money. However, it does not necessarily follow that residential placements are more restrictive than community placements in terms of family access, and the views of the client, family and carers will continue to be considered throughout assessment and support planning. Eligible needs, which include ‘developing and maintaining family or other personal relationships’ will also continue to be met.


Other key groups?

10.1. Carers Yes No

It is possible that carers who would have preferred for the person that they care for to go into a community placement mightl be negatively impacted by this change.




Carers assessments and support plans are offered through LBB and the commissioned Barnet Carers Centre service.

10.2. People with mental health issues

Yes No

The cohort that this will affect will likely include clients with mental health issues. If they had a preference for a community placement but were only offered residential placements under this practice change, this could be considered as a negative impact.


10.3. Some families and lone parents

Yes No

This change will not have a disproportionate impact on this group What evidence??

10.4. People with a low income

Yes No

Social care is means tested, so this change will only impact those whose income / assets do not exceed the thresholds for council-funded support.

Eligible needs, which include ‘developing and maintaining family or other personal relationships’ will also continue to be met.

10.5. Unemployed people

Yes No

Social care clients are less likely to be in employment than the wider population, although this is partly, although this change will mostly impact older adults, many of whom may no longer be seeking employment (and therefore not be considered unemployed).

10.6. Young people not in employment

Yes No

This change may affect young carers, as per the ‘carers’ section above. According to carers UK, Young adult carers aged between 16 and 18 years are twice as likely to be not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

The views of the client, family and carers will continue to be considered throughout assessment and support planning. Eligible needs, which include ‘developing and maintaining family or other personal relationships’ will also continue to be met. Carers assessments and support plans are offered through LBB and



the commissioned Barnet Carers Centre service

10.7. Education or training

Yes No

This change may affect young carers, as per the ‘carers’ section above. According to carers UK, Young adult carers aged between 16 and 18 years are twice as likely to be not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

The views of the client, family and carers will continue to be considered throughout assessment and support planning. Eligible needs, which include ‘developing and maintaining family or other personal relationships’ will also continue to be met. Carers assessments and support plans are offered through LBB and the commissioned Barnet Carers Centre service

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5. Please outline what data sources, measures and methods could be designed to monitor the impact of the new policy or service, the achievement of intended outcomes and the identification of any unintended or adverse impact?

5. Include how frequently monitoring could be conducted and who will be made aware of the analysis and outcomes

Data sources, measures and methods to monitor the impact of the new policy or service The impact of the changes will be assessed on an individual case-by-case basis.

The shift in provision from high cost community to residential placements will be monitored after the first quarter and second quarters of the change being implemented. This would be reported to the ACH Programme Board, with a breakdown of all available demographic data.

Existing surveys and other service user feedback mechanisms capture client and carer satisfaction with the service they receive, and this is reported to the CMT and Adults & Safeguarding Committee.

6. Initial Assessment of Overall Impact

Positive Impact

Negative Impact or Impact Not Known4:

No Impact

7. Scale of Impact

Positive impact:

Minimal Significant

Negative Impact or Impact Not Known:

Minimal Significant

8. Outcome

No change to decision

Adjustment needed to decision

Continue with decision (despite adverse impact/ missed

opportunity)

If significant negative impact - Stop/ rethink

9. Please give a full explanation for how the initial assessment and outcome was decided.

4 ‘Impact Not Known’ – tick this box if there is no up-to-date data or information to show the effects or outcomes of the function, policy, procedure or service on all of the equality strands.

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Whilst dependent on the views and circumstances of each individual affected, and those of their families and carers, it is possible that not having the option of a council-funded community placement will be seen as negative, due to the perception that this is not a personalised care and support offer, or that residential care will not maintain or improve outcomes at the same level as a community placement. The cohort likely to be affected by this change includes higher proportions of older adults, disabled people, people with mental health issues, people on lower incomes and carers (including young carers who may be less likely to be employed) than in the population as a whole. It is also possible that, within the affected cohort, this has a greater negative impact on married couples, carers or those with carers, or those with specific religious or cultural beliefs. Some more data analysis would be needed to ascertain whether people of a certain sex, race or ethnicity are likely to be over-represented in the affected cohort, but this is not deemed proportionate given that this would not impact the overall decision.

The scale of the impact has been evaluated as ‘minimal’, due to the following considerations:

• The groups mentioned above are not more likely to be affected directly because of the specified characteristic, but because they are over-represented in social care cohorts due to the interrelation between these characteristics and social care need.

• The care and support assessment and planning processes will continue to consider the views of the client, their family and carers when devising support plans.

• Eligible needs (under the Care Act), and therefore statutory duties, will continue to be met. Assessment and care planning processes will reflect the legislation and guidance and continue to consider ‘developing and maintaining family or other personal relationships’ and ‘accessing and engaging in work, training, education or volunteering’. This protects against the practice change isolating clients from their families / carers. In continuing to apply a strengths-based approach, the service will also continue to focus on achieving positive outcomes for all clients, regardless of accommodation setting.

Based on this EIA, I recommend that we continue with the decision despite the minimal negative impact to some equality strands. Given the current financial constraints, this change is deemed necessary despite the potential minimal negative impact. It is necessary to achieve a balanced budget, and will release resources within the system to meet social care and other needs, ensuring that other people, who will include those with similar characteristics / equality strands, receive the support they are entitled to.

Appendix J2

Equality Impact Analysis (EIA) Resident/Service User

Please refer to the guidance and initial Equality Impact Analysis before completing this form.


Title of what is being assessed: Prepaid Card Implementation for Children, Young People, Families and Adults

Is it a new or revised function, policy, procedure or service? Revised function

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Department and Section: Commissioning Group, Adults and Health; Families Services

Date assessment completed: February 2019


Lead officer Chris Haley (Programme Officer, Adults Transformation)

Stakeholder groups N/A

Representative from internal stakeholders James Mass (Assistant Director Adults & Communities)

Representative from external stakeholders N/A

Delivery Unit Equalities Network rep Will Hammond (Improvement & Policy Manager)

Performance Management rep N/A

HR rep (for employment related issues) N/A

3. Full description of function, policy, procedure or service: Current Use of Pre-Paid Cards London Borough of Barnet (LBB) wants to create successful places, achieve great outcomes, deliver quality services and develop resilient communities, but like all councils, it faces an increasingly difficult financial challenge. The council need to make further savings in Adult Social Care, whilst still supporting high quality and strengths based practice and maintaining stability for providers. LBB currently operate a Pre-Paid card system within Family Services for some groups of clients. These groups include:

• Unaccompanied Asylum Seeker Children (UASC), families who have no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

• Families requiring emergency payments over £50

• Disabled children who access short break services outside of the core commissioned framework

This group of clients currently numbers 168. Family Services also uses prepaid cards for approximately 100 direct payment clients. The total spend on Direct Payments (DP) outside of the current Pre-Paid Card systems is £15 million per year in Adults and Health and £120,000 per year within Family Services. Most recipients of DPs within Adults Services receive payments into a dedicated personal bank account, where they can also make any agreed client contributions. Proposal for Future Use There is an opportunity to expand the use of pre-paid cards across the Council. Within Adults and Health services, LBB currently have around 3,750 residents receiving services in the community with a personal budget and 1,059 of these are in receipt of a DP. Within Family Services, approx. 20 current DP clients within the 0-25 Service for Children with Disabilities currently receive a DP (not via the Pre-Paid Card system). Rather than receiving direct payments into their bank accounts, clients/carers will have their agreed care package payments loaded onto a Chip & PIN card provided by LBB. This card can then be used by the client/carer to purchase goods / services that are needed for their care. Prepaid cards allow LBB to have access to all transaction details, unlike DPs paid into client

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bank accounts, which require the client/carer to submit bank statements and other evidence of spend on a quarterly basis. The proposals seek to implement up to 6 prepaid card programmes across Adults & Communities, Families and Barnet CCG, with a total of almost 1900 prepaid cards during the first year. This is seen below in Table 1. Table 1

No. Service Area Service Description Clients

1. Adults and Communities Direct Payment Services- Adult Social Care 1,050

2. Families Direct Payment Services- Family Services 118

3. Families No Recourse to Public Funds (ongoing payments)- Family Services

168

4. Families No Recourse to Public Funds (emergency payments)-Family Services

361

5. Families Short Breaks- Family Services 130

6. Barnet CCG Direct Payments- Personal Health Budgets 50

Overall benefits Transparency and reducing potential fraudulent use The council does not currently have direct access to client DP bank accounts and must rely on clients sending in regular, accurate quarterly returns so that spending can be monitored and the level of any contributions made and the value for any surpluses can be checked. This approach is manually intensive and lacks transparency. Many clients do not send in their returns, and some meet their care needs without paying their own financially assessed contribution. With prepaid cards, the council will have direct access to client accounts and will not have to rely on clients sending in regular returns. Spend can be monitored at will and in real time if required and the way in which client contributions are paid can be monitored. Providing access to funds for people without bank accounts Prepaid card accounts are set up by the Council on a KYC (Know Your Client) basis which means that the Council will be trusted to set up prepaid card accounts for any client who needs one. This negates the need for any vetting or checking of personal details and is quick and easy for the client. With the additional benefit of the Council having direct access to the account and transaction information, this is a much more effective and efficient way of providing funding to clients for their various services. Reducing administration time for both the clients and the council Prepaid cards will:

• Provide the Council with direct access to client transaction details

• Enable monitoring to be carried out easily

• Reduce administration time by removing the need to request bank statements

• Allow better monitoring of transactions in real time

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• Eliminate the need to search through paper based quarterly bank statements and receipts

• Reduce the amount of time that clients spend on providing paper based returns so that they can focus on their care.

Building client confidence in using Pre-Paid Cards A robust communications plan is being developed to ensure that clients are comfortable with prepaid cards. This will ensure that residents are guided through the process of switching to prepaid cards, how prepaid cards will operate and how they should use them, address frequently asked questions and will demonstrate the benefits of prepaid cards over DP bank accounts. The Council plans to make prepaid cards the default option for all services outlined within this report and to make other payment options available where required, to ensure compliance with the Care Act 2014 and ensure that people who cannot access IT / telephone banking or prefer bank accounts are still able to access direct payments. In line with the Council’s current DP policy, clients not using the pre-paid card solution will need to comply with conditions of use and monitoring (e.g. submitting regular bank statements and returns). If they do not, and cannot transfer over to the pre-paid card system the Council may need to consider meeting their needs in a different way than a DP.

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4. How are the equality strands affected? Please detail the effects on each equality strand, and any mitigating action you have taken so far. Please include any relevant data. If you do not have relevant data please explain why.

Equality Strand Affected? Please explain how affected What action has been taken already to mitigate this? What further action is planned to mitigate this?

Age Yes / No

The implementation of prepaid cards will affect clients across all ages. As above, the plan is to roll it out to a number of clients in Families’ Services. The table below also shows the breakdown of ages of clients currently receiving a DP in the 18-25 service and Adult Social Care. 41% are ‘Older Adults’ (aged 65+), but this will also apply to ‘Working-Age Adults (aged <65).

Age category of DP clients (18+)_ %

18-24 14.79% 25-34 15.08% 35-64 28.83% 65+ 41.29% Grand Total 100.00%

Overall, it is envisaged that this implementation will be a positive move for most people affected. Cards can be managed online (reducing the need to go to cashpoints); no bank accounts will be needed; there will be a reduced need to submit receipts; and balances can be topped up by the Council quickly in response to emergencies. This will make it easier to administer for people, and improve the support available in emergencies.

During the implementation phase of prepaid cards, there will be communication with clients on DPs, explaining the move to prepaid cards, and providing an LBB point of contact, should they have any concerns or issues surrounding the move. This will help alleviate any worries about the transition from DP bank account to prepaid card account. One of the central messages will be

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However, there may be concerns for people that need to be addressed, such as:

- Concerns regarding the change to pre-paid cards and having the confidence to manage them

- Accessibility issues for clients in relation to online services as cards are to be managed online

- The increased scrutiny on what payments are being used for may not be favourable to some people. However, it should be noted that this is good practice in terms of fraud prevention and use of public money, and will likely only negatively impact people who are currently misusing their direct payment.

Age may have some bearing on the level of positive / negative impact felt, as:

- Clients aged 0-25 may not have the same support networks or experience in financial management, so changing over from a DP bank account (which would be familiar to them), to a prepaid card account (which will initially be unfamiliar), may create a negative impact, particularly in the initial months. However, these young people will likely have their prepaid card managed by a parent or carer.

- For older clients, moving from a DP bank account to a prepaid card account could create a disproportionate impact, particularly as prepaid card accounts rely heavily on clients being able to access and use services on-line to a proficient level. (According to an Age UK study, over 79% of all digital exclusion is among those aged 65+.5) As above, though, clients who wish to continue to use the current system will be able to.

the fact that the prepaid card operates almost identically to a high street bank account and that operating a prepaid card account should be no different to operating their DP bank account. If clients are genuinely unable to use the prepaid card option, other suitable options will be explored.

5 https://www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/reports-and-publications/age_uk_digital_inclusion_evidence_review_2018.pdf

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Disability Yes / No

Out of the current group of clients who receive a Direct Payment, who could receive a Pre-Paid card in future: - Almost all adults receiving a DP currently can be

classed as having a disability (see table below), so the implementation of prepaid cards will have a disproportionate impact on this group. This includes a number of adults with mental health conditions.

Support type Clients

N/A 1

Disability 1

Learning Disability Support 276

Mental Health Support 60

Physical Support 438

Sensory Support 36

Social Support 16

Support with memory and cognition

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Grand Total 851

- 120 DP clients who may receive a pre-paid card are

families with children or young people who have a disability.

As set out in the section on ‘Age’, overall the cards should have a positive impact for most users, including those with a disability, with some challenges to mitigate. It is possible that people with some types of disability will experience an even greater benefit, if their disability makes the current administration and monitoring of their DP more difficult. However, as this will represent a change to the status quo, it is possible that some clients, for example those with

During the implementation phase of prepaid cards, there will be communication with all clients who will be affected by the change. The communication will provide clients with the information needed for them to make the transition to prepaid cards. It will be tailored to specific client’s needs, for example with different communications for children and easy read options for people with learning disabilities. Support will also be tailored to the needs of specific clients. For DP service users within Adult Services, staff will be available to

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mental health conditions or a cognitive disability, will find it harder because of their disability.

assist and where necessary to set up transactions and payments on their behalf. DP Advisors will be available to visit clients to help ease them through the switch, where this has been identified as being necessary. If clients are genuinely unable to use the prepaid card option, other suitable options will be explored.

Gender reassignment Yes / No

We do not have data available that shows whether people with reassigned genders/pregnancy are over or under represented in social care client cohorts. There is no obvious reason to suspect that this group is more likely to be impacted by this change based on prevalence. The implementation of prepaid card offers a change in the way payments are made.

If clients are genuinely unable to use the prepaid card option, other suitable options will be explored.

Pregnancy and maternity Yes / No

We do not have data available that shows whether pregnant people or mothers are over or under represented in these cohorts. There is no obvious reason to suspect that this group is more likely to be impact by this change based on


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prevalence. The implementation of prepaid card simply offers a change in the way payments are made.

Race / Ethnicity Yes / No

There may be an over/under representation of people of a certain race / ethnicity in this cohorts. and further analysis will be done to check whether this is the case. We do not suspect however that this change will have any negative impact on this group based on this protected characteristic.


Religion or belief Yes / No

This group may be overrepresented, and we will carry out further analysis to check the data, if reports are available on this characteristic. We do not suspect however that this change will have any negative impact on this group based on this protected characteristic.


Gender / sex Sexual Orientation Marital Status

Yes / No

A specific gender may be overrepresented, and we will carry out further analysis to check the data, if reports are available on this characteristic. We do not have data available that shows whether people of a specific sexual orientation or marital status are over- or under-represented in these cohorts. We do not suspect however that this change will have any negative impact on this group based on these protected characteristics.


Other key groups? Carers Some families and lone parents People with a low income

Yes / No Yes / No

Carers Prepaid cards will have a disproportionate impact on people who are carers because for children and young people under the age of 18, parents or nominated carers manage their Personal Budgets on their behalf. There are also many Adult’s clients who will require designated family or friends to manage their prepaid card account.

There will be communication with all clients affected by the changes which will provide information, advice, and support on the

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Unemployed people Young people not in employment education or training

Yes / No Yes / No Yes / No

Overall, for the reasons stated above, the change will be positive for these groups. LBB will ensure that these persons remain suitably informed and guided through the process. Some families and lone parents The change to prepaid cards within Family Services will mean that there is a disproportionate number of families, and potentially lone parents, affected. Whilst there is no reason to suspect that there will be any negative impact on this strand because of this characteristic, measures will need to be put in place that ensure that this remains the case. People with a low income People with low income may be disproportionately affected by this change. Adult social care is means-tested, so those accessing services from the council are more likely to be on lower incomes. They are also less lily to be employed which may impact on income levels. There is a potential that people with low income are less likely to have internet access to manage their card online due to internet costs and even using the telephone banking facilities within the prepaid card may be difficult if clients do not have stable access to a smart phone or landline phone service. A proportion of people on low income may have had difficulties in opening bank accounts for their Direct Payments, and therefore the change to prepaid cards, where clients will not be required to open a bank account, will mean this issue may no longer necessarily be a barrier.

shift, to ease and alleviate fears. For clients within these 6 cohorts who do not have stable internet of phone access, the impacts of introducing prepaid cards will have to be carefully examined and alternative options explored. It may be that for some of these clients the option of remaining with a DP bank account might be best. For others, the option of the council funding the cost of basic internet provision might be a more cost-effective option. For families and lone parents, specialist support may be required to ensure that:

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Unemployed people People with a disability are significantly less likely to be in employment that those without a disability6, so change will have a disproportionate impact on this group. There is a potential that people who are unemployed are less likely to have internet access to manage their card online due to internet costs. A proportion of unemployed people who also have a low income, may have had difficulties in opening bank accounts for their Direct Payments in the past. Because of the change to prepaid cards, clients will be no longer required to open a bank account, so the issue of individuals needing to open bank accounts will no longer be a barrier to direct payments. Young people not in employment education or training A disproportionate number of clients on prepaid cards may be young people not in employment, education, or training. There is a potential that people who are not in employment, education, or training are less likely to have internet access, or access to a stable smartphone or landline. This could create a negative impact for clients falling within this category. A proportion of people not in employment, education, or training, may have had difficulties in opening bank accounts for their Direct Payments in the past. The change to

• Families and lone parents can quickly adapt to the changeover to prepaid cards

• That following the change they can access their prepaid card account in a way that will enable them to manage their services appropriately

For many of the other clients within these segments, not having access to on-line services will not be a barrier to using prepaid cards. The council will support clients by optionally sending out regular account statements and by supporting clients with setting up

6 http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7540/CBP-7540.pdf

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prepaid cards, where clients will not be required to open a bank account, will mean this issue may no longer necessarily be a barrier.

transactions on their behalf as and when required. If clients are genuinely unable to use the prepaid card option, other suitable options will be explored.

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5. What will be the impact of delivery of any proposals on satisfaction ratings amongst different groups of residents?

• For clients who are in the main compliant with how their DPs are managed (e.g. in terms of monitoring and spending), prepaid cards will be welcomed as they will eliminate the need to send in regular monitoring returns. Satisfaction ratings amongst this category of client will be high.

• Prepaid cards may have a positive impact on many groups. People with disabilities for instance are likely to find prepaid cards more accessible than DPs as they do not require a bank account, and will not need to submit quarterly statements. Other groups who may have difficulty opening a bank account, such as those with a low income, unemployed people, and young people not in education, employment, or training, will benefit from not requiring a bank account to use prepaid cards.

• There could be a negative impact on satisfaction within some equalities strands, due to the reasons identified in section 2. This may be more likely in older residents, who may perhaps be less familiar with the technology, and for some specific disabilities given the change to the status quo. However, the mitigating actions, like the targeted communications and support and continuation of alternative options to prepaid cards, will mean a significant drop in satisfaction is unlikely.

For clients who are overall not compliant with monitoring requirements, the satisfaction ratings are likely to fall sharply, especially if they are currently misspending their direct payments and will therefore have to change this behaviour. The Council accepts this because we have a duty to manage our resources well.

6. How does the proposal enhance Barnet’s reputation as a good place to work and live?

The proposal to introduce prepaid cards as a way of dispersing funds to social care clients is innovative. Barnet plans to create up to 6 separate prepaid card programmes and plans to manage one of these prepaid card programmes on behalf of Barnet CCG. This is an excellent example of forward thinking innovation and partnership working, that will generate savings, reduce costs, whilst at the same time provide new options and increased choices for Barnet residents. The positive benefits of this proposal will enhance Barnet’s reputation as a good place to work and live. It is also very likely that once prepaid cards have become established, other new innovative ways of using the cards within other parts of the Council will be explored.

7. How will members of Barnet’s diverse communities feel more confident about the council and the manner in which it conducts its business?

The UK has one of the best banking systems in the world and introducing prepaid cards should generate some confidence amongst all communities that the Council is adopting modern processes and making state of the art facilities available to residents through the introduction of prepaid card programmes. Many of the benefits of the UK banking system will be placed directly in the hands of our DP clients through their prepaid cards. These include facilities such as:

• Three factor authentication (which provides the highest form of on-line security)

• On-line & posted statements, with on-line statements showing real time information

• Separate cards for carers, appointed people and third party individuals where required

• Spending alerts for card holders

• Faster payments

• BACS Transfers

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• 24-hour on-line banking via, computer, smart phone or tablet

• 24-hour telephone banking (landline & Mobile)

The increased transparency and functionality offered by the prepaid card system will also mean better use and more effective management of public money.

8. Please outline what measures and methods have been designed to monitor the application of the policy or service, the achievement of intended outcomes and the identification of any unintended or adverse impact? Include information about the groups of people affected by this proposal. Include how frequently the monitoring will be conducted and who will be made aware of the analysis and outcomes? This should include key decision makers. Include these measures in the Equality Improvement Plan (section 16)

Unintended or adverse impacts will be tracked by:

• Monitoring issues raised by clients and tracking complaints accompanied by root cause analyses. These will be reported to the project board during implementation and then through ‘business as usual’ performance reports

• Ongoing social worker engagement with clients, where they will check that their Direct Payment, and method of receiving the DP (e.g. Pre-paid card), is suitable for the individual

• By setting up a series of focus groups with the main objective of improving the processes, procedures and the way in which the prepaid card product is being applied within Barnet for the benefit of service users.

9. How will the new proposals enable the council to promote good relations between different communities? Include whether proposals bring different groups of people together, does the proposal have the potential to lead to resentment between different groups of people and how might you be able to compensate for perceptions of differential treatment or whether implications are explained.

Overall, the proposal will have a positive impact on residents in receipt of payments. It will also provide a easy to use, familiar process to receive payments, that uses a product (a prepaid card), that is almost indistinguishable from any other debit card provided by high street banks. The prepaid cards to be used by LBB will not have any LBB branding. This will reduce any stigma or alienation that might be felt by clients when using their cards and will reduce any potential for clients feeling that they are being treated differently.

10. How have employees and residents with different needs been consulted on the anticipated impact of this proposal? How have any comments influenced the final proposal? Please include information about any prior consultation on the proposal been undertaken, and any dissatisfaction with it from a particular section of the community. Please refer to Table 4

The introduction of prepaid cards will not change who receives DP services but it will change how those DPs are received, accessed and monitored. Because this is not a change in our policies and because we will continue to offer alternatives to clients who receive cash based services, we have been advised that we do not need to formally consult clients and residents. However, we will be convening focus groups with existing DP users to inform:

• The overall proposal and the potential impact

• The documentation that is due to be sent out to clients explaining the changes

• How best we can support the different client groups through the change process A detailed communications plan is in place and clients will be advised about the changes and how the changes will affect them.

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Iinformation letters will be sent out to clients prior to the implementation and will provide clients with the opportunity to contact our prepaid card helpline if they have any queries regarding the implementation, particularly where it relates to their specific needs. All responses will be monitored and reported so that support to clients can be tailored effectively.

Overall Assessment

11. Overall impact

Positive Impact

Negative Impact or Impact Not Known7

No Impact

12. Scale of Impact

Positive impact:

Minimal Significant

Negative Impact or Impact Not Known

Minimal Significant

13. Outcome



Continue with decision

(despite adverse impact / missed

opportunity)

If significant negative impact - Stop / rethink

14. Please give full explanation for how the overall assessment and outcome was decided.

This change will impact a disproportionate number of people with a disability, carers, people on a low income (as council provided adult social care is means-tested), families, including lone parents and unemployed people. For most users, this change will have a positive impact. This is because:

• The cards have greater functionality, including the ability for people to manage their direct payment online and load their own contributions to care costs directly onto the card.

• There will be a reduced reliance on clients to submit evidence of spend and bank statements.

• LBB will be able to load emergency payments onto the card quickly in a crisis

For clients whose disability or income level currently acts as a barrier to administering their DP, this will have a specific, positive impact based on these characteristics.

For some users, including those in the categories mentioned above, it is possible that there will be a negative impact from the change. This might be the case if:


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• They have difficulty understanding managing the new process, which will involve telephone or online banking. It could be argued that this would apply more to people above a certain age or with certain disabilities.

• They are used to using cash to pay for services, as cash withdrawals will only be authorised in exceptional circumstances

• They are not currently complying with the conditions of their direct payment. Th system will help identify these people and may mean that they have to pay back misspent funds or transfer to a council-managed service.

We will be working closely with those affected, through engagement / focus groups, extensive communication and support through the change and ongoing social work practices. Where a pre-paid card is not suitable for a client, alternatives will continue to be available. As a result, most of the negative impacts listed above will be mitigated.

On balance, therefore, the positive impacts for a large number of people across numerous equality strands will outweigh the negative impacts.

15. Equality Improvement Plan Please list all the equality objectives, actions and targets that result from the Equality Analysis (continue on separate sheets as necessary). These now need to be included in the relevant service plan for mainstreaming and performance management purposes.

Equality Objective

Action

Target Officer responsible

By when

Various Complete further data analysis on gender, ethnicity and religion

To understand prevalence in this group

Sam Raffell February 2019

Various Set up focus / engagement group with CP users

To further understand impact and co-design implementation

Sam Raffell March 2019

Various Finalise communications and support plan

Ensure effective communications and support for clients

Sam Raffell March 2019

Various

Deliver communications and support plan as part of implementation

Ensure effective communications and support for clients

Sam Raffell Throughout implementation

Various Monitor and respond issues / complaints

N/A Sam Raffell Throughout implementation

Various Continue to ensure that DP payment method is appropriate

N/A Social work practitioners

Ongoing

.

1st Authorised signature (Lead Officer/Project Sponsor)

2nd Authorised Signature (Service lead/Project Manager)

Sam Raffell Julian Hall

Date: Date:

Appendix J3

Adults and Communities Equality Impact Assessment

Questionnaire EIA 1 (relates to Saving E1)

Please refer to the guidance before completing this form.


Title of what is being assessed: Community Offer

Is it a new or revised function, policy, procedure or service? New proposal

Department and Section: Adults and Communities

Date assessment completed: December 2013 – UPDATED 1 October 2015

Revised and Updated 7 Nov 2018 (Jon Dickinson)

11. Names and roles of officers completing this assessment:

Lead officer Jon Dickinson

Stakeholder groups Service users and their carers

Representative from internal stakeholders

Carol Baxter

Representative from external stakeholders

Public Consultation 2013/2014

Equalities Network rep Elissa Rospigliosi

Performance Management rep Robert Wood

HR rep (for employment related issues)

N/A

12. Full description of function, policy, procedure or service:

Please describe the aims and objectives of the function, policy, procedure or service Please include - why is it needed, what are the outcomes to be achieved, who is it aimed at? Who is likely to benefit? How have needs based on age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and carers been taken account of? Identify the ways people can find out about and benefit from the proposals. Consider any processes they need to go through or criteria that we apply to determine eligibility.

This is predominantly a reviewing project which intends to ensure that reviews for all people who receive community based services are offered a range of community-based options which promote prevention and wellbeing. This focus on prevention wellbeing and choice are in line with the legislative framework of The Care Act 2014. These options include:

1. We will ensure that residents, service users and carers have access to clear information and advice at the first point of contact. This will include the provision of independent advice and support. Where appropriate people will be signposted to preventative community alternatives.

2. We will continue to develop community based options which promote independence, including:

- Increased offer of short-term Reablement as a means of promoting people’s independence at home rather than long term home care visits or moving into residential care

- Increased use of telecare as a preventative measure and an alternative to home care visits

- Increased use of occupational therapy assessments, telecare, aids and equipment to support residents to live at home as an alternative to traditional care, or home care visits

- Use of a range of community-based respite care models to support carers, without necessarily moving the service user into a respite residential care placement

3. We will seek to increase the use of Direct Payments which will give service users and their carers maximum choice and control to use the full range of community-based services provided by all sectors

4. We will use the annual reviews of existing packages of care to consider these community-based options and reduce dependency on traditional care. Any changes for individuals will be based on an assessment of their needs, which they will be fully involved in, and their views will be taken into account. We will not make any changes that do not meet these assessed needs. We will seek to ascertain the “Ordinary Residence” of those clients who are in residential placements out of borough before exploring any changes to their support plans.

Through these measures, we expect to minimise the use of traditional care and long term residential placements.

Social workers work with the following user groups, all of whom would be impacted by the changes:

• Older adults

• Younger adults with disabilities and sensory impairments

• People with learning disabilities

• People with mental health needs

• Carers of people from the above groups

Although we see these changes as a positive next step in our promotion of personalisation, and an important move towards the expected requirements of the Care Bill, we recognise some risks and some potentially difficult impacts for some people:

- Residents who have been in traditional residential placements for a long period may find a move to a community-based service difficult.

- The success of the changes will depend on their being a suitable range of services available for all user groups. This is particularly challenging for younger adults with disabilities

- Carers may feel that the reduced use of residential placements put increased pressure on them

- People remaining in their own homes supported through the use of equipment and adaptations as opposed to home care visits may feel more isolated.

This equality impact assessment considers these impacts on the above user groups and the social care staff who work with these sections of the community. Where necessary actions to mitigate have been identified in Sections 4 and 14.


Equality Strand Affected? Explain how affected What action has been taken already to mitigate this? What action do you plan to take to mitigate this?

Age Yes / No Some very elderly & frail adults may prefer and feel safer living within a residential placement rather than in the community with support.

Elderly people supported through the use of equipment and adaptations as opposed to home care visits may feel more socially isolated.

Each customer will have their case individually reviewed and assessed as to their needs. Changes to support plans will only be made following negotiation and agreement with the service user and relevant family / carers. Risk assessments will be carried out to mitigate all risks. Those carrying out assessments and support planning will consider social needs and identify other ways in which these needs can be met.

Disability Yes / No Customers with physical disability, learning disability or mental health problems who have special needs may need additional support to live in the community. Feelings of safety, as described above, and increased isolation may also apply.

As above

Gender reassignment

Yes / No No specific impact identified.

As above

Pregnancy and maternity

Yes / No No specific impact identified from these proposals

Race / Ethnicity Yes / No Customers will need assurance that culturally-appropriate community support and care services are available -for example home carers who have an understanding of their cultural background and are able if needed to speak their language if English is not their first language.

Contract monitoring with home care providers will ensure that equalities issues are addressed. The assessment and support planning process, which fully involves the service user, will identify particular needs. Staff workforce development and training arrangements will ensure that staff understand and are able to respond to diverse needs. The increased use of Direct Payments will enable people to choose and control their own service arrangements

Religion or belief Yes / No As above. As above

Gender / sex Yes / No No specific impact identified.

Each customer will have their case individually assessed and reviewed (as for older people, above)

Sexual orientation Yes / No No specific impact identified.

As above

Marital Status Yes / No No specific impact identified.

As above

Carers (discriminated by association)

Yes / No Carers may feel that they are under more strain than if the cared-for person was using traditional services.

We will continue to carry out carers assessments to identify the needs of the carer and the impact of the service users support plan

on them. Risks assessments will be done as part of the overall assessment of the customer We will explore alternative, community-based options for respite. Carers may receive a Direct Payment, enabling them to choose and control respite support.

14. What are the number, types and severity of disabilities in play in this case?

There were 7143 requests for support of which 1627 of them were from individuals aged 18-64 and 5516 from 65&+.

• 3678 (51%) were signposted or did not go on to receive a service. • 802 received enablement service, • 121 directly placed into a care home (res/nurs) • 1563 received low level support or short-term support (this includes assisted technology) • 958 received a community based service • 18 were fully NHS funded and 3 were end of life

The most common access route were from Community 4844 were (1382 contacts 18-64 and 3462 from 65&+) followed by Discharge from Hospital were 228 contacts for individuals aged 18-64 and 2031 65&+

During the year 6103 individuals received a long-term service

The service user breakdowns for 18-64 were:

1981 individuals received a service LD being the most common primary need followed by physical disabilities

342 of the services users were in a placement at some point in year of which 13 were new placements made in year. At the end of the year (31/3/2018) there was 301 clients in placements

Majority of the 18-64 clients received a community based services and 663 clients (33.4%) of overall clients this equates to 40% of community based clients had some form of Direct payment at some point in year. At the end of the year (31/3/2018) there was 608 clients with direct payments

Primary support need Nursing Residential Direct

payment

Community

based

service

18-64

Physical Support 33 33 277 373 716

Sensory Support: 0 3 21 36 60

Support with memory and

cognition 2 2 1 2 7

Learning Disability Support 1 177 301 329 808

Mental Health Support 7 83 57 227 374

Substance misuse support 0 0 1 4 5

Support for social inclusion /

other 0 1 5 5 11

Total 43 299 663 976 1981

The service user breakdowns for 65&+ were:

4122 individuals received a service physical disability being the most common primary need.

1072 of the services users were in a placement at some point in year of which 144 were new placements made in year. At the end of the year (31/3/2018) there was 740 clients in placements

Majority of the 65&+ clients received a community based services and 485 clients (11.7%) of overall clients this equates to 16% of community based clients had some form of Direct payment at some point in year. At the end of the year (31/3/2018) there was 383 clients with direct payments

Primary support need Nursing Residential Direct

payment

Community

based

service

65&+

Physical Support 260 406 381 2059 3106

Sensory Support: 9 14 23 174 220

Support with memory and

cognition 52

141 32 80 305

Learning Disability Support 1 46 10 59 116

Mental Health Support 33 84 26 147 290

Substance misuse support 1 0 1 3 5

Support for social inclusion / other 13 12 12 43 80

Total 369 703 485 2565 4122

Carers: 1642 clients have stated they have a carer on SALT we have assessed or reviewed 650 carers of which 423 received a service or information and advice (signposted). 148 carers benefited from a respite service.

15. What are the actions that could reduce the impact on people with disability?

The council’s existing disability policies and procedures aim to promote equality of opportunity and eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. Any consideration of changes to support plans will be covered as part of their annual review, and will take all aspects of their needs into account. We will reduce the impact on people with a disability through:

• Increased choice and control, with tailored brokerage options to enable people to access suitable services to meet their needs;

• Improved information and advice;

• Development work with 3rd sector/community services.

• All staff carrying out assessments and support planning with users and carers will ensure that any potential impact of social isolation is considered as part of the process and will seek to identify ways of ensuring people’s needs for social contact are addressed through other means, eg accessing universal services, use of lunch clubs, re-connecting with family and friends, etc

• Carers assessments will be offered to all carers where a user’s care package is being changed. Changes to the way respite is offered will be developed with carers as part of their support plan.


Maintaining high quality social work services will be a key part of the development of these proposals. Customer satisfaction is currently monitored through the Complaints and Representations process and surveys, such as the national Annual Adult Social Care Survey and Carers Survey.


These proposals are in line with the local and national Personalisation agenda, which aims to promote people’s independence, choice and control. They are also underpinned by the legislative framework found in The Care Act 2014 where the principle of wellbeing is clearly defined. Every case will be reviewed individually and with professional care and attention to the person at the heart of the assessment.


The proposals all support the personalisation an wellbeing principles which promote individual choice and control. Individuals’ diverse needs will be supported through a range of tailored options including community services and Direct Payments.

19. What measures and methods have been designed to monitor the application of the policy or service, the achievement of intended outcomes and the identification of any unintended or adverse impact? Include information about the groups of people affected by this proposal. Include how frequently will the monitoring be conducted and who will be made aware of the analysis and outcomes? Include these measures in the Equality Improvement Plan (section 14)

Existing monitoring of customer satisfaction (see 7 above) and of service user and carer outcomes will continue to be monitored on monthly, quarterly and annual bases as at present.


As we seek to support people to live in the community, stronger links will be made within the large and diverse sections of the communities in Barnet.

21. How have residents with different needs been consulted on the anticipated impact of this proposal? How have any comments influenced the final proposal? Please include information about any prior consultation on the proposal been undertaken, and any dissatisfaction with it from a particular section of the community.

A major Barnet-wide consultation process was undertaken at the start of this work. There have been no policy changes or shifts since then that have made it necessary to revisit or consult further.

Overall Assessment

22. Overall impact

Positive Impact


No Impact

14. Scale of Impact

Positive impact:

Minimal Significant


Minimal Significant

15. Outcome





opportunity)


16. Please give full explanation for how the overall assessment and outcome was decided

This is an EIA of a change in the Social Care offer, which is a move from a Dependency model to an Enabling offer. This offer will enable people to live in the community based on their assessed need.

- Offer of information and advice - signposting to community alternatives

- Reablement offer increased to support independence of residents at home rather than care home admission

- Increased use of telecare as alternative to care calls

- Increased use of occupational therapy assessments, telecare, aids and equipment to support residents to live at home

- Reduce the use of long term residential placements

- Review all existing packages of care - OP/PD focusing on FACS eligibility, reablement, use of telecare, equipment and occupational therapy assessments to reduce dependency on traditional care, such as home care visits


EIA: Telecare procurement of 78

Equality Improvement Plan

Please list all the equality objectives, actions and targets that result from the Equality Analysis (continue on separate sheets as necessary). These now need to be included in the relevant service plan for mainstreaming and performance management purposes.

Equality Objective

Action

Target

Officer responsible

By when

UPDATE October 2014

Service users, carers and staff understand the proposed changes and feel supported

Develop communication plan

Written communication was sent to all affected staff to ensure that they understand the proposals and are able to offer full support to service users and carers. We will continue to ensure that staff supports service users and carers through any changes.

Jon Dickinson

January 2014 and then on-going

Briefings to staff were completed during early 2014 to update them on the work of the newly established Community Offer teami. It is also discussed regularly at the Management Team meeting. Services and carers are informed services available through their annual review.

Service users and carers from Partnership Boards and the public to be consulted and engaged with the Community Offer

We have made presentations to each of the Partnership boards Public consultation events have been held. These were open to any residents, carers, service users and providers.

We will continue to ensure that service users, carers, Barnet residents and providers are aware of the changes.

Jon Dickinson

January 2014 and then ongoing

Presentations were completed in early 2014. As part of the Care Act implementation plan, we will be delivering further update on the work plan of the newly established Community Offer Team to Partnership

Boards during Spring 2015.

1st Authorised signature (Lead Officer) 2nd Authorised Signature (Member of SMT) – Mathew Kendall

Date: Date:

Appendix J4

Telecare Procurement Equalities Impact Assessment

Commissioning Group

Equality Impact Assessment


Title of what is being assessed: Managed Telecare Service Savings

Is it a new or revised function, policy, procedure or service? Revised service

Department and Section: Joint Commissioning Unit, Commissioning Group

Date assessment completed: 12 November 2018

2. Names and roles of officers completing this assessment:

Lead officer Muyi Adekoya

Stakeholder groups

Representative from internal stakeholders James Mass, Sam Raffel, Chris Haley

Representative from external stakeholders

AC Equalities Network rep

Performance Management rep

HR rep (for employment related issues)


SUMMARY - Introduction / Background Barnet’s care technology service is provided by the Argenti care technology partnership. The Argenti care technology service helps people to continue to live safely and independently in their own homes. The Argenti service enables this though personalised care technology solutions that draw upon a variety of technology solutions ranging from the familiar (pendant alarms) to more leading edge such as GPS sensors or smart speakers. Argenti’s service is focused upon delivering a personalised service that realises benefits for the service user, their families, practitioners and the councils budget. The financial benefit to the council is delivered through by either enabling a reduction in a service user’s care package, delaying an increase in the package of care or preventing an increase all together. Usage of the service London Borough of Barnet in Year 1 delivered a financial benefit of £0.9m adding 1,040 new service users to the care technology service. In year 2 of the service Argenti is on track to have referred and installed for another 1,400 service users, demand for the service is increasing. The Argenti service now supports 3,600 service users right across Barnet. Service users were recently surveyed for the first, with a 30% of those sent the survey (400) responding. The results were extremely positive with 100% of the service users agreeing they would recommend the Argenti service to other people. Taken in combination with the financial benefit the service has delivered the Council now has a service that saves it money and which service users love. The survey also highlighted that:

✓ 95% of service users would agree they have increased safety, security and confidence at home

✓ 91% of service users suggest they have had improved quality of life as a result of their telecare.


Equality Strand Affected? Explain how affected What action has been taken already to mitigate this? What action do you plan to take to mitigate this?

Age Yes / No No impact

While the majority of the current telecare service users are older people aged 85 and over, people across any age category will not be impacted as the re-commissioned service will continue to provide a telecare service across all ages.

N/A

Disability Yes / No Information not available for the breakdown of the service – but we can assume a significant number of telecare service users may have some disability, and are positively impacted by having an additional mechanism of support.

Gender reassignment

Yes / No No impact

This client group will not be affected any differently from other groups.

N/A


Yes / No No impact

This client group will not be affected any differently from other groups

N/A

Race / Ethnicity Yes / No No impact

This client group will not be affected any differently from other groups

The service specification sets out that the service should meet the needs of diverse user groups, for example by providing specialist or translated literature, providing language support, or arranging visits compatible with religious preferences

Religion or belief Yes / No No impact The service specification sets out that the service

This client group will not be affected any differently from other groups..

should meet the needs of diverse user groups, for example by providing specialist or translated literature, providing language support, or arranging visits compatible with religious preferences

Gender / sex Yes / No No impact

It is assumed that the majority of telecare service users are female, in line with the client group for adult social care. This client group will not be affected any differently from other groups. Telecare will provide additional support and reassurance for carers, who are more likely to be women.

N/A

Sexual orientation Yes / No No impact

While data is not available on service users’ sexual orientation. It is not expected that this client group will be affected any differently from other groups.

N/A

Marital Status Yes / No No impact

This client group will not be affected any differently from other groups.

N/A

Carers (discriminated by association)

Yes / No Positive impact.

Telecare has a positive impact on carers through providing reassurance for carers, and additional independence for the people being cared for.

Continuation of service

5. What are the number, types and severity of disabilities in play in this case?

Information about disabilities is not available.

6. What are the actions that could reduce the impact on people with disability?

• Social care will continue to do needs assessments for service users and will refer people to the assistive technology service through a referral form which clearly identifies needs, disabilities and the outcomes that service users would like to achieve.

• The provider of the telecare service conducts assessments of individuals and identifies appropriate telecare services that enable the service user to achieve their outcomes. The provider reports on service user outcomes.


Overall service user satisfaction is of 94% alongside 95% of service users feeling their safety and security has increased when living independently. This ability to live independently for longer is the consistent positive feedback we receive from the service users. 100% of service users agreeing they would recommend the service they have received to someone else, this suggests a real positive for the work Argenti is doing. There has been very minimal negative feedback from service users regarding their telecare installations, and any that is received is followed up directly to ensure the problem is sorted in a very timely fashion to ensure any problems are sorted.


A number of residents see this as a positive opportunity to help people to stay independent in the community.

Achieving efficiencies in the service may enhance the Council’s reputation.


Residents will also be presented with an expanded offer of assisted technology, which is aimed at supporting people with a range of needs from very low to very high, and supporting people to maintain independence.

10. What measures and methods have been designed to monitor the application of the policy or service, the achievement of intended outcomes and the identification of any unintended or adverse impact? Include information about the groups of people affected by this proposal. Include how frequently will the monitoring be conducted and who will be made aware of the analysis and outcomes? Include these measures in the Equality Improvement Plan (section 14)

• The provider is required to capture and report on information about clients, which we can match to our internal records to assess the impact on different groups

• The Delivery Unit will provide contract monitoring resource for ongoing monitoring.


N/A

12. How have residents with different needs been consulted on the anticipated impact of this proposal? How have any comments influenced the final proposal? Please include information about any prior consultation on the proposal been undertaken, and any dissatisfaction with it from a particular section of the community.

Consultation not required. However, there has been co-design and co-production with residents and the new provider.

Overall Assessment

13. Overall impact

Positive Impact


Negative

No Impact

14. Scale of Impact

Positive impact:

Minimal Significant


Minimal Significant

Impact not known

15. Outcome





opportunity)


16. Please give full explanation for how the overall assessment and outcome was decided

There are benefits from assistive technology which impact a wide range of groups, in particular those with disabilities and older people, who are better supported to remain independent and in control of their care. The service will also have a positive impact on carers, who are more likely to be women, and who will be able to access equipment which provides reassurance that the person they support is safe and well, promoting the carer’s own wellbeing and independence.

The impact on people from different ethnic and religious groups is not yet known, but there are requirements in the specification for the provider to adapt their approach wherever required to engage and support people from diverse backgrounds, including those speaking languages other than English, maintaining certain religious practices (e.g. not visiting on certain days), and ensuring the promotion of the service is accessible across different communities. This will be monitored as part of the contract.


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Appendix J5

Equality Impact Analysis (EIA) Resident/Service User


Title of what is being assessed: Support for Working age adults

Is it a new or revised function, policy, procedure or service? Procedure

Department and Section: Adults and Communities, Learning Disability Service

Date assessment completed: Updated November 2019


Lead officer Will Hammond (Adults, Communities and Health Programme Lead)

Stakeholder groups N/A

Representative from internal stakeholders N/A

Representative from external stakeholders N/A

Delivery Unit Equalities Network rep Will Hammond

Performance Management rep N/A

HR rep (for employment related issues) N/A


This is the continuation of a project / part of the core work of LBB’s Integrated Learning Disabilities Service: reviewing support plans of adults of working age (18-64 year olds), with learning disabilities to ensure that the support plans increase independence, improve wellbeing and reduce costs where appropriate. LBB have a statutory duty to carry out reviews of care plans and ensure that eligible care needs will continue to be met, and this work supports the delivery of this duty. As part of the work, increased scrutiny will be given to these reviews to ensure that they are effective and robust, with staff given extra support and training in strengths-based practice and developing independence for clients. Work will also take place with existing providers of care to ensure that they are delivering value for money and supporting the independence and / or progression of clients. The development of other services and supports, such as Shared Lives, will also contribute to this agenda, by providing alternative forms of accommodation and care that promote independence and improve service uses outcomes. Clients and their carers / families should benefit from this work, as robust reviews should increase client independence, ensure that care needs are still being met, and ensure that providers are focussing on improving outcomes for the client. One outcome of a review in support packages could result in individuals being supported into employment, this inevitably has a positive impact upon individuals who are currently unemployed; employment gives them a chance to develop greater independence.

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Where more independence-focused care plans are agreed, these will also likely be at a lower cost, either in the short-term or through reducing dependence in the long-term. This will help the authority to ensure financial sustainability and continue to provider other vital services.

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How are the equality strands affected? Please detail the effects on each equality strand, and any mitigating action you have taken so far. Please include any relevant data. If you do not have relevant data please explain why.

Equality Strand Affected?

Please explain how affected What action has been taken already to mitigate this? What further action is planned to mitigate this?

Age Yes / No

As described above, this work focusses on clients of a working age (18-64 years old), so age will have a bearing on whether someone is impacted by it.

There may be some disruption, mainly in the short term, to clients and their families, where changes to care packages are agreed. There may also be some dissatisfaction for clients and carers / families where they would prefer to use more traditional forms of care.

However, overall this work is anticipated to impact clients positively by improving independence, supporting individuals in gaining and maintaining employment, and reducing the intrusiveness of care.

All social worker reviews will continue to be completed in line with the Care Act. They will involve the service user, their carer and families and existing providers. They will continue to take the views of the service user and their carers/families into account and ensure that eligible needs are identified and met where appropriate through the support plan.

Disability Yes / No

All clients affected by this work will have a disability, as they will be a client of the Learning Disability Service.

The assessment of impact in the section above applies equally to this equality strand.


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Gender reassignment Yes / No

We do not hold data on numbers of clients in this cohort with a gender reassignment. There is no foreseen impact on any client based on gender reassignment



Yes / No

We do not hold data on numbers of clients in this cohort who are pregnant / mothers. There is no foreseen impact on any client based on these characteristics.


Race / Ethnicity Yes / No

We will be completing further analysis on the race and ethnicity of this cohort compared to the population of Barnet and the UK, as this information is not currently reported. There is no foreseen impact on any client based specifically on these characteristics.


Religion or belief Yes / No

We do not report on data on the religion / beliefs of clients in this cohort compared to the population of Barnet and the UK. There is no foreseen impact on any client based specifically on these characteristics.


63

Gender / sex Yes / No

We will be completing further analysis on the gender / sex of this cohort compared to the population of Barnet and the UK, as this information is not currently reported. There is no foreseen impact on any client based specifically on these characteristics.


Sexual orientation Yes / No

We do not hold data on the sexual orientation of clients in this cohort. There is no foreseen impact on any client based on these characteristics.


Marital Status Yes / No

We do not hold data on the marital status of clients in this cohort. There is no foreseen impact on any client based on these characteristics


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Other key groups?

Carers

Some families

and lone parents

People with a low income Unemployed people

Yes / No

Yes / No

Yes / No

Yes / No

Many of the clients in this cohort will have a carer. Increases in independence and quality of care for clients could have a beneficial impact for carers in terms of peace of mind and seeing a cared for person achieve better life outcomes. As stated in the ‘Age’ section, there could be some disruption or dissatisfaction, especially in the short term, for carers who prefer traditional methods of care or are happy with their current provision. In some instances, changes could relate in carers taking a more (or less) active role in the care of the person, which could be seen by them as a positive or negative impact. This will affect families and some lone parents in the ways described above, although there is no reason to suspect that this will be a disproportionate impact based on this characteristic. As social care provision is means-tested, there will be a disproportionate number of people in this cohort with low incomes. People with a disability are significantly less likely to be in employment that those without a disability10, so change

All social worker reviews will continue to be completed in line with the Care Act. They will involve the service user, their carer and families and existing providers. They will continue to take the views and their carers/families into account and ensure that eligible needs are identified and met where appropriate through the support plan. Carers will continue to receive information and advice, signposting to support services, assessments and support plans as needed and set out in the Care Act.

10 http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7540/CBP-7540.pdf

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Young people not in employment education or training

Yes / No

will have a disproportionate impact on this group. This will not affect people below the age of 18.

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As set out in section three, overall this should improve the satisfaction of clients with learning disabilities and their carers / families, through increased levels of independence, better care and outcomes.

However, there may be some dissatisfaction, especially in the short term, for carers who prefer traditional methods of care or are happy with their current provision.


This supports inclusion of people with (learning) disabilities who are more likely to access mainstream services and support, or take a more active role in the community through, for example, employment or volunteering.


N/A

7. Please outline what measures and methods have been designed to monitor the application of the policy or service, the achievement of intended outcomes and the identification of any unintended or adverse impact? Include information about the groups of people affected by this proposal. Include how frequently the monitoring will be conducted and who will be made aware of the analysis and outcomes? This should include key decision makers. Include these measures in the Equality Improvement Plan (section 16)

• The department has a complaints procedure and reports on these to committee and

internal governance meetings.

• Client satisfaction is measured through an annual survey with the results published

and taken to committee.

• Clients’ and their carers’ views will be taken into consideration as part of standard

social work procedures

• The quality of social work reviews is monitored through the Quality and Learning

Framework that includes case audits, supervision and the use of panel to ensure

correct decision making on cases.


This supports inclusion of people with (learning) disabilities who are more likely to access mainstream services and support, or take a more active role in the community through, for example, employment or volunteering.

9. How have employees and residents with different needs been consulted on the anticipated impact of this proposal? How have any comments influenced the final proposal? Please include information about any prior consultation on the proposal been undertaken, and any dissatisfaction with it from a particular section of the community. Please refer to Table 2

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As this builds on the standard social work function, and clients and carers are consulted on an individual basis as part of each review, no additional formal consultation is deemed as necessary.

The department takes resident engagement seriously and has an Involvement Board and several forums for residents to give views and influence service delivery.

Overall Assessment

10. Overall impact

Positive Impact


No Impact

11. Scale of Impact

Positive impact:

Minimal Significant


Minimal Significant

12. Outcome



Continue with decision (despite adverse impact /

missed opportunity)


13. Please give full explanation for how the overall assessment and outcome was decided.

By virtue of the work targeting working age adults with a learning disability, it will have a disproportionate impact based on age, disability, level of income and levels of employment. Many clients will also have a carer. Further analysis will also be completed to check whether certain genders, ethnicities or races are over-represented in this cohort. By reviewing support packages and support plans, we will be able to improve the independence and wellbeing of residents who are of working age, whilst reducing costs. This will include stepping-down users to less intensive accommodation, stepping-up accommodation where there is a risk of carer breakdown, identifying appropriate day opportunities for those in residential care, supporting individuals in gaining and maintaining employment, utilise care technologies to improve independence and reduce intrusiveness of care, and increasing access to the Shared Lives offering within LBB. There could be some disruption or dissatisfaction where clients or their carers are happy with their current provision or prefer more traditional forms of care. However, overall, this represents a positive impact for clients with the characteristics mentioned above.


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14. Equality Improvement Plan

Please list all the equality objectives, actions and targets that result from the Equality Analysis (continue on separate sheets as necessary). These now need to be included in the relevant service plan for mainstreaming and performance management purposes.

Equality Objective

Action

Target

Officer responsibl

e By when

Various Complete analysis on ethnicity, race and gender proportions within this cohort

To understand whether any of these characteristics are over-represented in this cohort

Will Hammond

March 2019

.

1st Authorised signature (Lead Officer/Project Sponsor)

2nd Authorised Signature (Service lead/Project Manager)

Date: James Mass Date: Will Hammond

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Appendix J6

Initial Equality Analysis (EIA) Resident / Service User


Title of what is being assessed: Advertising (Renewal of the current JC Decaux Contract)

Is it a new or revised function, policy, procedure or service? Barnet Transformation programme 2016 – 2020

Department and Section: Environment Commissioning Group

Date assessment completed: 01/11/18


Lead officer Amy Blong, Programme Manager, CSG

Other groups Paul Bragg, Workstream Lead

3. Employee Profile of the Project

Will the proposal affect employees? Yes.

If no please explain why:

i.

How are the following equality strands affected? Please detail the effect on each equality strand, and any mitigating action you have taken / required. Please include any relevant data. If you do not have relevant data please explain why / plans to capture data

Equality Strand Affected? Explain how affected Indicate what action has been taken / or is planned to mitigate impact?

1. Age Yes Impact to be fully assessed – it is possible that there could be an equalities impact on older people around the potential reduction in the number of bus shelters and public conveniences.

This will need to be reviewed by the workstream lead as the programme moves into the assessment stage. Until bids are received it will not be possible to identify the potential scale of the impact. The outcome will be reported to the Environment Committee and within this Committee report the impacts will be identified to allow Committee Members to determine acceptability and/or proposed mitigating actions.

2. Disability Yes Impact to be fully assessed – it is possible that there could be an

This will need to be reviewed by the workstream lead as the programme

70

equalities impact on those with disabilities around the potential reduction in the number of bus shelters and Public Conveniences.

moves into the assessment stage. Until bids are received it will not be possible to identify the potential scale of the impact. The outcome will be reported to the Environment Committee and within this Committee report the impacts will be identified to allow Committee Members to determine acceptability and/or proposed mitigating actions.

3. Gender reassignment

No No impact anticipated

No mitigation required

4. Pregnancy and maternity

Yes Impact to be fully assessed – it is possible that there could be an equalities impact on Pregnancy and maternity around the potential reduction in the number of bus shelters and Public Conveniences.

This will need to be reviewed by the workstream lead as the programme moves into the assessment stage. Until bids are received it will not be possible to identify the potential scale of the impact. The outcome will be reported to the Environment Committee and within this Committee report the impacts will be identified to allow Committee Members to determine acceptability and/or proposed mitigating actions.

5. Race / Ethnicity No No impact anticipated


6. Religion or belief



7. Gender / sex No No impact anticipated


8. Sexual orientation



9. Marital Status No No impact anticipated


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10. Other key groups?

Carers People with mental

health issues

Some families and

lone parents

No

No impact anticipated


11. Other key groups?

People with a low income Unemployed people Young people not in employment education or training

No



5. 5. Please outline what data sources, measures and methods could be designed to monitor the impact of the new policy or service, the achievement of intended outcomes and the identification of any unintended or adverse impact?


The Advertising Programme is divided into three main workstreams; a replacement contract for bus shelter advertising, a new contract for the provision of large-scale digital advertising and a new contract for the provision of advertising on Roundabouts, Gateway signs and Lamp Post banners.

The programme is proposing to stop the provision of Public Conveniences by removing this requirement from the new contract. It is also likely that the provision of bus shelters will be reduced as part of the new contract proposals.

All other proposed provisions are additional contracts that will be outsourced to expert providers.

Before the Public Conveniences are decommissioned and removed there will be a workstream looking at appropriate alternative provisions within each town centre area where the Public Conveniences currently exist. This work is underway, however until it is completed (which involves engaging with businesses who currently have toilets within their premises) it will not be fully known what the extent of alternative provision will be. However, assuming that businesses agree that their toilet facilities can be made available to the public then the quality of the provision should be improved due

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to the requirements of businesses meeting specific standards. An example being the minimum requirements to accommodate those with disabilities.

Another important aspect will be the advanced notification and signposting of the alternative provisions and this will be supported by the Councils Communications Team to ensure that it reaches a wide audience. Additionally, it is intended to install local signage at the current positions of the Public Conveniences to assist in wayfinding the alternative provisions.

In respect to the ongoing provision of Bus Shelters Members of the Environment Committee will receive a report on the options. This will be a public meeting and anyone who wishes to express a view on which option the Committee should agree will be entitled to make there representations to the Committee.

Ultimately, those who are current users of the existing facilities will make their views known to the Council if they do not believe the alternative provisions are an adequate replacement facility. All such concerns will be fully investigated and appropriate mitigating actions put in place where this is deemed viable following a Best Value assessment.

7. 6. Initial Assessment of Overall Impact

Overall impact not yet known. A full explanation for this assessment can be found in section 9 below.

7. Scale of Impact

Scale of impact not yet known. A full explanation for this assessment can be found in section 9 below.

8. Outcome

No change to decision. A full explanation for this assessment can be found in section 9 below.


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The Advertising Programme is currently in concept stage, which is the earliest stage of project and programme delivery. As referred to in section 5 above, there are three workstreams which have been identified to deliver external contracts for the provision of; bus shelter advertising, large-scale digital advertising (billboards), Roundabouts, Gateway Signs and Lamp Post banners. Except for bus shelter advertising, these are a series of new initiatives for the council which require scoping in more detail. Workstream leads are in place and additional subject matter expert resources have been engaged. At this stage in the programme, the full equalities impact of each workstream is unknown as the programme has not reached the stage of seeking bidder proposals. This initial assessment was completed by the Workstream Lead in consultation with the Programme Manager. This assessment has been completed based on what can be reasonably be assumed to be a possible equalities impact given the level of detail currently available for each workstream. These assumptions are as follows:

1. Bus Shelter Advertising – this workstream is looking to replace the existing contract with one which provides an improved Commercial return for the Council and this will include the decoupling of Public Conveniences and a rationalisation of Bus Shelters, both of which could raise issues in regard to Equalities Impact.

2. Digital Advertising – this workstream is looking to deliver a new contract which will involve the construction of several large digital billboards on off-highways sites. At this stage it is anticipated that a public consultation may be necessary to engage with residents on the location of these sites. A consultation may identify whether there are also any potential equalities impacts but, at this stage, this workstream is not anticipated to have an equalities impact.

3. Roundabouts, Gateway Signs and Lamp Post Banners - this workstream is looking to deliver a new contract to install advertising at these sites. It is not envisaged at this stage that this will give rise to any equalities impact concerns.

As referred to in section 5 above, it is recommended that equality impact assessments is updated once the project has moved into the later stages of each procurement. This is because the equalities impacts are most likely to be different for each workstream. It is also because the workstreams will be scoped in more detail as the programme progresses, which will enable a more robust analysis than is possible at the current time.

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Appendix J7

Initial Equality Analysis (EIA) Resident / Service User


Title of what is being assessed: Street Lighting LED Conversation Project

Is it a new or revised function, policy, procedure or service? Barnet Transformation programme 2016 – 2020

Department and Section: Environment Commissioning Group

Date assessment completed: 01/11/18


Lead officer Amy Blong, Programme Manager, CSG

Other groups Paul Bragg, Workstream Lead

3. Employee Profile of the Project

Will the proposal affect employees? No.

If no please explain why: The project will be delivered at the same time as BAU activities are taking place with the same contractor and Council monitoring team looking after both.

i.

How are the following equality strands affected? Please detail the effect on each equality strand, and any mitigating action you have taken / required. Please include any relevant data. If you do not have relevant data please explain why / plans to capture data

Equality Strand Affected? Explain how affected Indicate what action has been taken / or is planned to mitigate impact?

Age No No impact anticipated


Disability Potentially Impact to be fully assessed – it is possible that there could be an equalities impact on those who may be impacted by lighting with high colour temperatures (a consequence of white light). There are some reports that some people can be more sensitive than others.

Limit the colour temperature to no more than 4000K.

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Gender reassignment






Race / Ethnicity No No impact anticipated


Religion or belief No No impact anticipated


Gender / sex No No impact anticipated


Sexual orientation No No impact anticipated


Marital Status No No impact anticipated


Other key groups?

Carers Some families and lone parents

No



Other key groups?

People with a low income Unemployed people Young people not in employment education or training

No



8. 5. Please outline what data sources, measures and methods could be designed to monitor the impact of the new policy or service, the achievement of intended outcomes and the identification of any unintended or adverse impact?


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The LED Conversation project involves the removal of all existing high-pressure sodium street lighting lanterns and the replacement with LED lanterns complete with a new Central Management System (CMS).

It is intended that the existing lighting standards will be observed and therefore the lighting provided will be in compliance with the recommendations made within the current Code of Practice for lighting Highways. As the LED light output is whiter than the old sodium lamps it is anticipated that those using the public highway may believe that the lighting standards have in fact been improved. This is due to the human eye being able to operate more effectively when objects are lit with white light. This is partially due to colour rendition being much improved under white light conditions.

The Project will involve lighting columns remaining in existing locations and lanterns being changed. In order to be sure of the lighting levels being compliant each road will be designed based on utilising existing column positions.

Each design will be submitted to the Authority for comment and approval prior to the works being programmed and only when approval has been granted will the road be added to the installation programme. This will ensure that each road is optimised in terms of lighting levels and the Council will be aware of the lighting levels that will be achieved in each road and how this compares with the Code of Practice recommendations in terms of compliance.

The Councils Street Lighting Contract monitoring officers will oversee the project, including the design approval process, and immediately following completion of an installation will conduct adhoc checks of the light outputs to ensure that designed lighting levels are achieved on street. Should any concerns be raised after the new installations are completed, these will be investigated with light level checks undertaken and recorded with remedial actions identified where this is deemed necessary.

10. 6. Initial Assessment of Overall Impact

Very minimal potential impact. It is anticipated that there may be some positive feedback that lighting standards have been improved due to the white light source – this could be the perceived view from individuals of any characteristic.

7. Scale of Impact

There may be a small number of individuals who suffer from sensitivity to high colour temperature lighting. Some limited research has suggested that lighting can cause headaches in those who are sensitive and therefore limiting the colour temperature to no more than 4000K will go some way to addressing this potential issue.

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9. Outcome

No change to decision. A full explanation for this assessment can be found in section 9 below.


Where LED lighting has been installed in the UK it has been well received and although in most cases lighting levels (by design or measurement) have not been improved there has been a perception that the lighting standards have been improved. The Project requires the current recommendations of the Highway Lighting Code of Practice to be achieved and to ensure this is delivered each road will be fully designed even though this is a lantern conversation project. All designs will be checked and verified as acceptable by an officer in the Councils Street Lighting Team. Any concerns of designs submitted will be queried and amendments requested. Note: It is worth noting that there will always be some occasions were the recommended lighting standards will not be achieved and a compromise position will need to be accepted. This is however no different to any new lighting design where there will always be constraints from the highway infrastructure, such as obstacles which will block light distribution. The most common example are trees that adversely impact light distribution to a greater extent when they are in full leaf.

Appendix J Business Planning 2019/20-2023/2024 Cumulative ...

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