Equality Impact Assessment
What is an Equality Impact Assessment?
An Equality Impact Assessment is a process for measuring whether a
policy, practice, or service has a positive, neutral or negative
impact on any particular group of people. The purpose of carrying
out impact assessment therefore is to ensure that no inadvertent
discrimination is taking place because of the policies or practices
which an organisation uses, or with in the services which it
provides.
Because of legislation introducing equality duties with which many
public sector organisations such as health trusts, schools, local
authorities, education providers and government departments
have to comply, doing good impact assessment is essential.
There are many benefits to doing impact assessment well. These
include designing services which will meet the needs of the people
who use them, because factors such as time, location, and style of
delivery will have been considered, which can be more cost
effective.
Policies will reflect the needs and priorities of the organisation
more effectively as they will be up to date, clear and free from
inadvertent bias, there effectiveness will be monitored so that
changes can be made when needed.
If you need to carry out Impact Assessment, Equality Management
Services can work with you to support your staff through training,
or by running focus groups for your service users if you are
undertaking a consultation exercise.
Contact:
c.doel@btinternet.com or phone us on 07831323139.