www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Equality Impact Assessment - Guidance Notes
What is an Equality Impact Assessment?
An equality impact assessment (EIA) is a systematic and thorough way of finding out whether a policy or service affects different groups of people in different ways. It should become part of the normal policy making / policy review process.
The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 requires all public authorities to conduct – and publish – race EIAs. Similar legislation has been introduced for disability and gender. Good practice indicates that we review all equality dimensions (e.g. race, gender, disability, religion/belief, age, sexual orientation) at the same time.
The Macpherson report into the police handling of the death of Stephen Lawrence highlighted the issue of ‘institutional racism’ within the police force and public sector organisations in general. Institutional racism refers to the systemic, pervasive and habitual policies and practices that have the effect of disadvantaging certain racial or ethnic groups. Carrying out an EIA against all equality dimensions – preferably before a new service or policy is introduced – should enable us to identify and reduce the potential for institutional discrimination of all kinds.
View the Equality Impact Assessment form.
When and how should we carry out Equality Impact Assessment?
EIAs should be carried out:
- When a new policy or service is being considered
- When significant changes to existing policies and services are proposed
- If significant concerns have been raised about the way a policy or service may be disadvantaging a group of staff or section of the community
- As part of existing self-assessment and review processes
There is no single, ‘right’ way to carry out EIAs but there is a balance to be struck between assessments that are overly complex and those that are too superficial.
- An assessment is likely to involve some desk research and consultation with colleagues and external groups such as Wiltshire Racial Equality Council, Council for Voluntary Services, Age Concern and the Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living.
Senior managers need to be committed to ensuring that these assessments are carried out – and that actions are taken as a result of them. Staff involved in impact assessments need to be well-informed about equalities issues, and must be prepared to reflect critically on current policies and practices. It can be helpful to appoint a ‘critical friend’ to assist in the process.
Is there is a legal requirement to publish the outcomes of Equality Impact Assessments?
The Council must publish the results of EIAs and consultations in order to be open about the way policies are made and services are delivered. This should lead to greater public confidence and trust, particularly amongst minority groups whose needs and concerns may previously have been overlooked.
All cabinet and committee reports must include reference to the equality implications of the matter under consideration and depending on the nature and scope of the report an EIA may be included.
All completed and approved EIAs will be published on the Equality & Diversity pages of the Wiltshire County Council’s website.
Please read the Guidance on Specific Questions before completing the Equality Impact Assessment form.
Contact Details
By Post
Equality & Diversity Team
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
By Email
By Telephone
01225 713510
By Fax
01225 713117
