Equality Impact Assessment(EIA)

Inspector Christian Ellis

AIM

• To understand what a EIA is

• To understand why a EIA is necessary

• To be able to plan to undertake a EIA

Introduction

• EIA is designed to be a positive process, which enables a public authority to demonstrate ‘Due Regard’

• Due Regard - Eliminate Discrimination - Advance Equality - Foster Good Relations - Meet Disability Needs

What is a EIA ?

A systematic way of finding out whether a policyaffects all groups equally.Allows Organisations to:• Achieve better results• Indentify actual and potential inequalities• Respond as necessary to these inequalities• Avoid Discrimination

Question?

TAKE 10 MINUTES TO DISCUSS AND LET ME KNOW WHICH GROUPS SHOULD YOU CONSIDER WHEN MAKING POLICY?

Example. AGE,GENDER ect….

Protected Characteristics in the UK

• Age• Disability• Gender Reassignment• Pregnancy & Maternity• Race• Religion or Belief• Sex• Sexual Orientation

Basic EIA Questions?

• What is the aim of the policy? - What outcomes would you like to see? - Who is intended to benefit?• Would different people receive different

outcomes as a result of the policy or its implementation?

Does the out come have a adverse, positive or differential impact?

• Adverse lead or potentially lead to someone suffering a disadvantage or a detriment.

• Differential – does it cause a different outcome because a protected characteristic does not take up a service or access it in the same way as others, due to their characteristic rather then the policy or procedure.

• Positive – has a added benefit or advantage to someone.

• Can we mitigate or justify the adverse or differential impact?

Examples of Impacts

• Motorbike to heavy for some officers.Can you get a lighter one that is sufficient?

• Older Officers fail a fitness test?Is the fitness test job related.

• Diabetic staffCan you provide a medical room?

Yes or NO but

Justify and explain rationale for impact.

How to do a EIA

• Stage One: Screening and Scoping for Relevance

• Stage Two: Full EIA Process

• Stage Three: Sign Off

Stage One (Screening)

• By two people.• Consult to see who and how the policy will

effect.• Existing Information• Proportionality of effect on protected groups

If you decide that there is NO adverse impactthen record why and go to sign off.

Stage Two (Full EIA)

1. What is the aim of the policy.• Why is the policy needed?• What are the main aims?• What do you want to achieve?• Who or what is intended to benefit?

Stage Two (Full EIA)

2. Full continual consultation with affected group/community.(Internal & External)

• Log and describe consultation• Take 5 minutes. How would you consult?• Focus groups• Beat surgeries• Questionnaires.• Data Collection

Stage Two (Full EIA)

3. Outline findings of assessment• Positive• Negative• Required amendments• Potential or actual impact introduce a SMART

action plan.

Stage Two (Full EIA)

4. Recommendations and making a judgement. Decision should be underpinned by four factors• The aims of the policy• The evidence you have collected• The results of consultation• The relative merits of other optionsRationale and decision must be recorded.

Stage Two (Full EIA)

5. Monitoring arrangementsConsiderations• Should the policy be piloted to gauge impact?• How will you monitor it?• What data will be collated?• When will it be reviewed?• Who will monitor it? (Policy Owner)

Stage Three (Sign Off)

• EIA to be signed of by a senior manager• EIA submitted to central source• Allow public to have access to non sensitive

parts of the process• Sits along side any Policy and can be changed

if Policy is reviewed.

AIM

• To understand what a EIA is

• To understand why a EIA is necessary

• To be able to plan to undertake a EIA

Finally

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.

Wisdom is understanding not to put it in a fruit salad!

Websites

Equality & Diversity Impact Assessment Toolkitwww.scotland.gov.uk/equalityanddiversity/IAtoolkit

Equality Commission for Northern Irelandwww.equalityni.org

Greater London Authority Impact Assessmentwww.london.gov.uk/gla/publications/equalities/eq_impact_assess.pdf

QUESTIONS