Equality Impact Assessments (EQIAs) Jacqueline Rae Equalities Research

Outline Firstly: Importance of EQIAs –the legal Duties Secondly: How we undertake EQIAs

Equality

Public Sector Duties Race Equality Duty –Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 Disability Equality Duty –Disability Discrimination Act (2005) Gender Equality Duty –The Equality Act

Equality Impact Assessments (EQIAs) EQIAs are all about considering how your (housing) policies may impact either positively or negatively on different sectors of the population in different ways.

Scottish Government EQIA Toolkit 10 step process Key steps for analysts to be involved are: 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9

Step 1 Define the aims of your policy Step 2 What do you already know about the diverse needs and/or experiences of your target audience? Step 3 What else do you need to know to help you understand the diverse needs and/or experiences of your target audience? Step 4 What does the information you have tell you about how this policy might impact positively or negatively on the different groups within the target audience? Step 5 Will you be making any changes to your policy? Step 6 Does your policy provide the opportunity to promote equality of opportunity or good relations? Step 7 Based on the work you have done – rate the level of relevance of your policy – HIGH, MEDIUM or LOW Step 8 Do you need to carry out a further impact assessment? Step 9 Please explain how you will monitor and evaluate this policy to measure progress Step 10 Sign off and publish

Step Two What do you already know about the diverse needs and/or experiences of your target audience? Need to review evidence available – both quantitative and qualitative Involve and consult –Who will you consult? –Have you asked the right people the right questions? –Have you involved all the relevant groups? THE ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THERE IS NO IMPACT ON EQUALITY. THAT AN ISSUE MAY ONLY IMPACT ON SMALL NUMBERS OF PEOPLE FROM THE DIFFERENT EQUALITY GROUPS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE IS NOT AN ISSUE OR PROBLEM.

Step Three What else do you need to know to help you understand the diverse needs and/or experiences of your target audience? What are the gaps in your knowledge? –How will you fill the gaps in your knowledge? –Is more data needed – disaggregated, more research, more consultation… –Again who will you consult? –Who will collect data/information?

Concluding Thoughts… How can we work together – sharing examples and learning… Who are the key equality colleagues in your organisation and in others? Any Questions? Contact