A brief introduction to Impact Assessments Kuldip Sohanpal

Expectations Today is about understanding the process of Impact Assessment * Every organisation is different * Every policy is different * One size does not fit all!

Objectives * To provide a background and context for Equality Impact Assessment * To develop delegate skills and knowledge of Equality Impact Assessment * To create an understanding of Equality Impact Assessment as a positive process

Social Identity/Equality Strands * Age * Race * Gender * Religion / faith * Sexuality / Sexual orientation * Disability

What is an Equality Impact Assessment? …..which assesses relevant policies and procedures to determine the potential or actual impact on all groups It is a process

Why do we need to do impact assessments? Pertinent to race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/ faith and age. Public Duties embraced by Equality legislation

* Eliminating unlawful harassment and discrimination * Promoting good relations between all people * Promoting positive attitudes towards all people * Taking steps to take account of all peoples requirements and needs * Having a better understanding and being more responsive

Allows an organisation to demonstrate a proactive and committed approach to combating institutional discrimination Why do we want to do Impact Assessment? The Purpose and Benefits Emphasises commitment to equality and diversity Provides ‘transparency’ so that stakeholders can see that issues are addressed and how they are resolved Raises awareness that helps embed the principles of Equality and Diversity into everyday activity

What groups should an impact assessment cover disabled people women and men people from black and minority ethnic communities, including refugees and asylum seekers and Gypsies and Travellers lesbians, gay men and bisexual people trans people older and younger people people of different religions and faiths and other groups who might not have equal access to your service.

The Impact Assessment Process Three Key Stages: Screening Full Assessment Partial Assessment Is the policy or proposed policy relevant to equality? If relevant then the risks and benefits must be identified and decision made on the policy. If the impact is adverse then a partial assessment is required

Consider what are the policy / procedure aims: * relevancy to an equality strand * complaints of discrimination * records of unfair treatment * information from surveys or consultations * equality issues employees have raised Screening PARTIAL ASSESSMENT The initial assessment of a policy or procedure. If there is evidence of an adverse impact or differential impact then you must proceed to the Partial Assessment stage

The risks and benefits of the policy/procedure PARTIAL ASSESSMENT FULL IMPACT ASSESSMENT This takes into account a number of views e.g: * Stakeholders (interested parties) * Experts (someone in authority on the subject area) Policy / Procedure must clearly state: * risks in relation to differential impact * benefits that the policy may have Differential/adverse impact: * Concerns supported by stakeholders & experts

FULL IMPACT ASSESSMENT Building on the information base you already have of the policy or procedure This involves: * Further investigation into the likely effects that the policy / procedure may have on different groups of people * Formal consultation with the people who are most likely to be affected * Arrangements for monitoring and evaluating * Publication of the Impact Assessment report