www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Equality Impact Assessment - Local Area Agreement (LAA) Safer Strand – Community Safety
1. What is the name of the policy or service that is being assessed?
Local Area Agreement (LAA) Safer strand (under development) – Community Safety
2. What are the aims of the policy or service? Whose needs is it designed to meet? What are the current priorities?
The aims of the LAA focus on delivering stretched outcomes. It is a partnership agreement between government and the Wiltshire strategic board. There are 3 high level outcomes/priorities for the safer strand: 1. Increase the safety of People, Places and Property. 2. Reassure the public in relation to crime and drugs, ASB and the criminal justice system.3. Reduce the harm caused by substance misuse. It is designed to meet the needs of all the individuals who are affected by those outcomes – eg. Communities as a whole, young and old, and will affect all the 6 equality strands.
3. In what ways might this policy or service affect some groups of people differently? Might some groups find it harder to access the service? Do some groups have particular needs that are not well met by the current policy or service?
Some elements of the outcomes are derived from Community Safety strategies and some from mandatory outcomes dictated by government. Consultations were carried out by Crime Concern on behalf of CS strategies (2005-2008). Crime Concern conducted equality impact assessments re some of the six areas. The evidence is available via the impact assessments and CS strategy. The CS strategy is not available in other languages, although this option has been offered in some districts. There has been close work with the racial equality council, particularly around hate crime. Re communication – there is access available via language lines at WCC.
Re outcome 2 – The policy could affect young people negatively. Some statements have been developed around positive images of young people, working closely with yp agencies/partners, promoting positive images of yp which can be evidenced within the strategies.
ARPOV – (Alcohol referral programme for offenders and victims) – this service specification demonstrates that the police will ensure access to a different language.
It has been highlighted through the LAA that older people are vulnerable of a specific crime – distraction burglary - and therefore measures have been suggested.
Thinking forward – there are LAA plans for working with older people and introducing intergenerational activities. We have also considered migrant workers and language barriers around certain issues. Disability access is written into the service specifications for the providers. At any conferences/consultation events attendees are asked if there are any specific needs – eg hearing loops etc. Looking ahead - the consultation ends in 2008 and from 2007 there will be a strategic assessment to review how things have changed and the implications of discrimination will be considered.
4. What evidence do you have for your judgement? Is there evidence of public concern (e.g. complaints)? Have staff raised concerns? Is there local or national research to suggest that there could be a problem?
The overall evidence relating to Q3 is drawn from the existing strategies and policies and from other consultations such as Tomorrow’s and People’s Voice conducted by WCC. There is no evidence of public concern other than migrant workers requiring language assistance. Staff have raised concerns over the lack of young people specific services available - for example around substance misuse – and particularly for 16-18 year olds. In the past there have been issues around disabled people and key access to their properties, but this has been resolved. This team has been told that the Tomorrows/People’s voice surveys are an appropriate mix. However it is unclear if this includes all the 6 equality areas highlighted. This team does regularly question the information around these 6 areas.
5. Who have you consulted with as part of your assessment? What were the results? Have you published the results of that consultation? If so, where?
As above in Q4. The results are published in line with WCC policy – normally on the WCC website network but hard copy strategies have been produced in leaflet form. This team makes every effort to involve young people when consulting and in policy making where possible – this has been evidenced for example within a recent evaluation of dispersal orders in Wiltshire where young people were identified as a key part of the process. We also draw on consultation work carried out by Community Planning and in fact contribute to this on a regular basis at workshops. Police neighbourhood teams also provide evidenced consultation that can contribute to the work
6. If you have found that the policy or service might have an adverse impact on a particular group of people, can you justify this?
This team believes that it is trying to reduce/minimise any adverse impact and consequently reduce fear, reduce the impact on the public etc. This team feels that they have worked in partnership and have considered these 6 key areas for some time. This is evidenced within the strategies and policies already in place.
7. If the impact cannot be justified, what do you intend to do about this? Are there changes that you could introduce which would make the policy or service work better for this group of people? Is further research or consultation required?
Looking forward: Making sure that consultation carried out takes into account the 6 key areas.
- By ensuring that service specifications are robust enough
- By requesting that this area has a higher profile – to the equivalent of Health and Safety
- Ensuring the involvement of users of services – particularly on substance mis-use. Working towards ensuring the user groups are represented. Consider accessing domestic violence victims via the refuges to gain vital information to understand their needs.
- By looking at constantly reviewing/challenging, particularly via the team equalities designated person and being prepared to change.
- Introducing the equality issue as a regular item on the management meeting agendas and being pro-active rather than relying on individuals to take responsibility.
8. How will you monitor the take-up or impact of the policy or service in future?
Considering all 6 areas as a team – the policy is designed to reduce the adverse issues and we will be able to assess the success via the continuous surveys (outlined in previous questions) already in place. We will consider designing a flowchart to look at the KPIs and then consider the other implications and our performance in those 6 areas. This will be considered at our next meeting. We are also able to monitor via the complaints process.
9. What actions do you plan to take as a result of this equality impact assessment? Please state any resource implications.
- Give consideration to setting up specific measures/targets re the above
- We will introduce the 6 equality areas as a regular item at management meetings
- We plan to double check service specifications to ensure they reflect the 6 equality areas sufficiently
- We have in place our team equality advisor
- We plan to review equality impact assessments 6 monthly
10. There is a legal requirement to publish the outcomes of Equality Impact Assessments. Please outline how / where this will happen.
The assessments will be available under WCC policy – most likely on the council website.
11. Name of person completing form
Date assessment completed
10/10/06
12. Senior manager approval
Assistant Director Community Services
Date
10/10/06
Contact Details
By Post
Equality & Diversity Team
Development Services
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
By Email
By Telephone
01225 713510
By Hand
County Hall, Trowbridge
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