Get documents about "GUIDE TO COMPLETING
Document Sample
EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
MANDATORY CODE
PRODUCED BY
DIVERSITY TEAM
1
Completing the Equality Impact Assessment
Introduction
This guide will take you step by step through the process of completing an Equality
Impact Assessment (EIA). It guide also contains a glossary of terms related to
equalities along with some frequently asked questions pertaining to completing an
EIA.
Background
The Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust recognises the need to comply
with a number of identified equality legislative acts, amendments & regulations with
particular regard to promotion of good equal opportunities for staff, service users and
the community we serve. This process will give managers a framework for assessing
the likely impact of any existing or new function* which may have upon all sections of
our community and to address the prevention, elimination or regulation of
discrimination between persons on the grounds of sex or marital status, on racial
grounds or on grounds of disability, age, sexual orientation, language, social origin or
other personal attributes, including beliefs or opinions, such as religious beliefs or
political beliefs.
The aim of the Equality Impact Assessment Mandatory Code
The aims of this EIA mandatory code are:
Provide a framework for complete an EIA
Support managers to complete an EIA
Promotion of equality of opportunities for staff and service users
Reduced inequalities in health and social care
Promoting good relations between people from different equality groups
Lead on the prevention of unlawful discrimination
Remove barriers to provide greater accessing our services and employment
Monitor and report the impact that our services have on different equality
groups.
In order to make the best use of this framework, we need to ensure that the
assessments are conducted in an objective manner, with the overall goal being to
identify improvements or actions to improve service delivery.
What is an Equality Impact Assessment?
An Equality Impact Assessment is a systematic way of assessing the impact or likely
impact of a proposed or existing function and the affect it may have on people from
different equality groups. This assessment extends to monitoring and reporting the
actual impact of the proposed or existing function.
*Function – this refers to any new, proposed or existing policy, activity, project, task etc, it is at the discretion manager as to
which existing functions need to be EIA
2
Equality Impact Assessment is made up of three stages:
Stage 1 - Initial screening
Stage 2 - Partial Equality Impact Assessment
Stage 3 - Full Equality Impact Assessment
How is the assessment conducted?
The assessment should be conducted in line with the following:
Assessment of functions for relevance on equality
Monitoring of functions for implication on equality
Consultation on proposed or existing functions with Employees and Service
Users
Monitoring Equality Impact Assessments.
Staff training on general and specific duties
Reinforcement through staff appraisal and disciplinary procedures
Equality Impact Assessment considers the following minority groups:
Black and Minority Ethnic Communities (including Gypsy, Travellers, Refugees
& Asylum Seekers)
Women and Men
Religious or Faith Groups
Disabled People
Older People Children & Young People
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Communities
The above groups are identified as those who are most likely to receive differential or
negative levels of services in accordance with current legislation.
It is recommended that you also give consideration to these groups:
Social Status & Origin
Marital Status
Caring Responsibilities
Working Patterns
Why do we need to complete an Equality Impact Assessment?
It is a positive thing to do as a employer
Compliance with equality legislation
Reduces risk to the organization
Recognition of the diversity needs of our organisation, staff and community
Address functions that could lead to unlawful discrimination
Ensures all services we provide meet the needs of all equality groups
Increases public confidence in the services we provide
Avoids any negative effects it might have on some groups
3
Equality Impact Assessment Process
STAGE 1
IDENTIFY THE FUNCTION
↓
IDENTIFY AIMS OF THE FUNCTION
↓
SCREEN FOR RELEVANCE TO EQUALITY
↓
DECIDE TO CONTINUE TO PARTIAL ASSESSMENT OR STOP
STAGE 2
COLLATE AND DOCUMENT THE EVIDENCE
↓
SCREEN FOR RELEVANCE TO EQUALITY
↓
DECIDE TO CONTINUE TO FULL ASSESSMENT OR STOP
↓
STAGE 3
CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES
↓
CONSULT FORMALLY
↓
DECIDE TO ADOPT FUNCTION OR NOT
↓
ATTACH A SCORE RATING TO FUNCTION
(H – HIGH, M- MEDIUM, L- LOW)
↓
SET REVIEW DATE
ONGOING STAGE
MONITOR REVIEWS
&
PUBLISH OUTCOMES
4
GENERIC EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE
INITIAL EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT
STAGE 1 - Screening to establish if the proposed function has any relevance to any equality
issue and/or minority group
Directorate: Function to be Assessed: Existing or New Function: Assessment Date:
1. Briefly describe the aims, objectives Please explain:
and purpose of the function:
2. Who is intended to benefit from this Please explain:
function, and in what way?
3. What outcomes are wanted from this Please explain:
function?
4. What factors/forces could/ contribute/ Please explain:
detract from these outcomes?
5. Who are the main stakeholders in Please explain:
relation to the function?
6. Who implements the function, and who Please explain:
is responsible?
5
7. Are there concerns that the function has a differential impact on the following groups and what existing evidence
(either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this?
Race Y N Please explain:
Disability Y N Please explain:
Age Y N Please explain:
Gender Y N Please explain:
Religion or Belief Y N Please explain:
Sexuality Y N Please explain:
If the answer to question 7 is ‘YES’, a partial EIA must be completed. Y N
Should the function proceed to a partial impact assessment?
If no, please state date of next review: Date on which partial impact assessment to be completed by:
I understand the Impact assessment of this function is a statutory obligation and that, as owners of this function, we take
responsibility for the completion and quality of this process.
Signed (Assessor).........................................................................................................................................Date......................................
Print Name.................................................................................................................................................................................................
Signed (Section Head)...............................................................................................................................Date........................................
Print Name.................................................................................................................................................................................................
6
PARTIAL EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT
STAGE 2 – Partial Equality Impact Assessment
Directorate: Function to be Assessed: Existing or New Function: Assessment Date:
1. Could the differential impact identified in Y N Please explain:
the Initial Assessment amount to there
being the potential for adverse impact in
this function?
2. Can this adverse impact be justified on Y N Please provide an explanation for each equality heading (Q6 of the
the grounds of promoting equality of Initial Assessment). Please use a separate sheet if necessary.
opportunity for one group?
Have you consulted those who are likely
to be affected by the function?
3. Are there any experts or relevant Y N Please list the relevant experts or groups:
groups that you can approach to explore
their views on the issues?
4. How will the views of these groups be Letters, workshops, meetings forums, interviews, questionnaires, telephone,
obtained? intranet, email or Other (please state)
5. Please list the dates when each expert or group was contacted
6. Please detail the views of the experts or groups contacted. (Please use a separate sheet if necessary).
7
7.Taking into account these views, and any available evidence or relevant data please state clearly the risks associated
with policy, weighed against the benefits. (Please use a separate sheet if necessary).
8. If concerns about the policy in terms of differential impact are echoed by the views of experts or relevant groups, then a Full EIA
must be undertaken. Should the function proceed to a full EIA? yes / no
If no, please state date of next review:
If yes, please state the date on which full impact assessment to be completed by:
I understand the Impact assessment of this function is a statutory obligation and that, as owners of this function, we take
responsibility for the completion and quality of this process.
Signed (Completing Officer)........................................................................................................Date.....................................................
Print Name:..............................................................................................................................................................................................
Signed (Section Head)............................................................................................................... Date......................................................
Print Name:...............................................................................................................................................................................................
Please note: This Impact Assessment will be scrutinised by the Equality and Diversity Group, and moderated by the WOD
Committee
8
FULL EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT
STAGE 3 – Full Equality Impact Assessment
(Please contact the Diversity Team if support is needed on 01522515330)
Directorate: Function to be Assessed: Existing or New Function: Assessment Date:
In which area are there concerns regarding the possible differential impact of the function? i.e: Race, Disability, Gender Religious
Belief Sexual Orientation
Have you considered any alternatives: This section should explain in detail the consideration of all alternative approaches or
measures taken to reduce/remove adverse impact of the function
Evidence: Consideration of the most appropriate evidence to be used should take account of the six equality strands. It may be
necessary to make reasonable adjustments in order to gather meaningful data. Methods of feeding back the data should also be
considered.
Formal Consultation: Consider who is directly affected, which groups have an interest, methods of consultation, resources
available, potential to utilise partner organisations.
Monitoring Arrangements: Outline systems which will be put in place to monitor for adverse impact in the future and this should
include all relevant timetables. In addition it should include a summary and assessment of monitoring, making clear whether any
evidence of discrimination was found.
9
Publication of EIA: Please state the date the report on EIA will be published.
Conclusions: What conclusions can be drawn from the results in terms of the function impact?
If no, please state date of next review: Date on which partial impact assessment to be completed by:
I understand the Impact assessment of this function is a statutory obligation and that, as owners of this function, we take
responsibility for the completion and quality of this process.
Signed (completing officer) ...................................................................................Date........................................................
Print Name…………………………………………………...........................................................................……………………
Signed (Section Head)......................................................................................................Date..............................................................
Print Name…..........................................................................................................................................................................................
Please note: This impact assessment will be scrutinised by the Equality and Diversity Group, and moderated by
the WOD Committee
10
Equality Impact Assessment Questions and Answers
Q. Which functions need to be assessed?
A. Policy makers and managers are required to complete an Equality Impact
Assessment, to consider the potential impacts of all new and or revised policies and
functions may have on people from all equality groups.
Q. What is the difference between assessing impact and monitoring?
A. Assessing impact is a process which is undertaken prior to a new or amended
function or activity being introduced to reduce likely effect on different groups of
people.
Monitoring is a retrospective action requiring collection and analysing information to
highlight unexpected adverse effects and introduce appropriate action to remove the
adverse effects.
Q. What about function designed to tackle the adverse effects of current
policies?
A. Policies introduced specifically to tackle the adverse effects of current policies may
not need to be assessed fully if their aim is to increase equality of opportunity or tackle
evidence of unequal and adverse impact. However any action taken to eliminate an
adverse effect for one group of people should not introduce an adverse effect on
another group.
Q. What if there is not reliable information or evidence to assess a function or
practice?
A. The lack of reliable information should not deter you from making a preliminary
judgement about the effects the policy is likely to have. The initial conclusions can be
tested by formal or informal consultation or by commissioning additional data,
information or survey.
Q. Will there be training on how to complete an Impact Assessment?
A. Yes, everyone will attend Equality and Diversity Training which will cover how to
complete an EIA, This training will explain why Impact Assessments need to be
completed and will provide guidance on how to complete them.
Q. How long will it take to complete an Impact Assessment?
A. This will vary according to the complexity of the function or activity being
developed. Activities involving a wide range of people with business group cross over
could take considerable time to complete. Impact Assessments for minor amendments
could be completed in a few minutes; however a full Equality Impact Assessment
could take up a couple of hours.
Q. Will there be any form of quality check on the Equality Impact Assessments?
A. It is the responsibility of the person who carries out the assessment to ensure it is
completed correctly. As this is a new area of work, the Diversity Team will audit a
sample of the Impact Assessment to check if they are being carried out completely.
11
USEFUL LINKS AND FURTHER READING
Age
Institute of Public Policy Research
http://www.ippr.org.uk/research
Employers Forum on Age
http://www.efa.org.uk
Disability
DRC
http://www.drc-gb.org
Gender
EOC Annual Report 2004-2005
http://ww.eoc.org.uk
Race
Who should do race equality impact assessment?
www.cre.gov.uk/duty/reia/who.html
Religion/Faith
ACAS, Religion or belief in the Workplace - Guide for Employees and Employers
http//www.acas.org.uk/publications
Sexual Orientation
ACAS, Sexual Orientation on the workplace. A Guide for Employers and Employees
http//www.acas.org.uk/publications
12
Related docs
