Approach to the EqIA and FSDA

Overview

This assessment covers the following stages:

  • Screening– identifying where policy or practice may result in impacts (see Appendix A).
  • Assessment and Evidence – data gathering and assessment to understand and address potential impacts.
  • Action Plan – setting out identified actions and recommendations to implement to reduce potential impacts and improve outcomes.

Screening

Appendix A: Screening has used a series of questions to guide the assessment and ensure all disproportionate or different impacts as a result of the proposed scheme on protected characteristic groups and socio-economically disadvantaged people are considered. The screening is also used as a tool to screen out certain groups and impacts that are not relevant to the proposed scheme to ensure that the assessment remains proportionate.

Assessment of Impacts

This report assesses the potential impacts on protected characteristic groups and socio-economically disadvantaged people for the proposed scheme so as to meet the requirements of the PSED and the FSD.

The assessment has been conducted using information gathered from a literature review, desk-based analysis, and consultation and stakeholder engagement. Using professional judgement, this information has been used to identify and provide evidence of potential disproportionate and/or differential impacts on protected characteristic groups and socio-economically disadvantaged people. Disproportionate and differential impacts are defined as follows:

  • Disproportionate impact: Where there is likely to be a proportionately greater impact on protected characteristic or socio-economically disadvantaged groups than on the general population.
  • Differential impact: Where members of a protected characteristic or socio-economically disadvantaged group are likely to be affected differently because of specific needs or a recognised vulnerability.

The following questions have been used to guide the assessment and determine whether the proposed scheme meets the requirements, based on the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s ‘Assessing impact and the equality duty’ guidance:

  • Would the proposed scheme result in disproportionate or differential impacts for particular groups?
  • Would the proposed scheme remove or minimise disadvantage for, or encourage increased participation of, particular groups?
  • Would the proposed scheme impact relations between different groups?
  • Does the proposed scheme build in reasonable adjustments where these may be needed?

Action Plan

The action plan has identified actions and recommendations that are proposed to mitigate differential and/or disproportionate impacts to the identified groups. Recommendations may include adjusting aspects of the proposed scheme or its methods.

The action plan also provides details of monitoring activities to ensure recommendations are implemented effectively. If recommendations are found to be ineffective, they should be revisited and revised accordingly.