Equality Analysis

Introduction

In preparation for the Public Sector Equality Duty, Birmingham City Council will be changing its terminology for Equality Needs Impact Assessments. EINA's will now be referred to as Equality Analysis.

The change in terminology from ‘equality impact needs assessment’ to ‘equality analysis’ is intended to focus more attention on the quality of the analysis and how it is used in decision-making.

What is an Equality Analysis?

Equality analysis is a way of considering the effect on different groups protected from discrimination by the Equality Act (link to Government Home Office site). It involves using equality information, and the results of engagement with protected groups and others, to understand the actual effect or the potential effect of functions, policies or decisions. It can help to identify practical steps to tackle any negative effects or discrimination, to advance equality and to foster good relations.

The protected groups are: age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. The duty also covers marriage and civil partnerships

What should be Analysed?

All policies, practices, activities and decisions (whether formally written down or whether it is informal custom and practice) are analysed, (both existing policies and any new policies under development) and give consideration to equality. The Equality analysis starts prior to policy development or at the early stages of a review. It is not a one-off exercise, it is ongoing and cyclical and it enables equality considerations to be taken into account before a decision is made.

The Equality Analysis has four possible outcomes - more than one may apply to a single policy

1. No major change – Analysis demonstrates that the policy is robust and the evidence shows no potential for discrimination and that you have taken all appropriate opportunities to advance equality and foster good relations between groups.

2. Adjust the policy – This involves taking steps to remove barriers or to better advance equality. It can mean introducing measures to mitigate the potential effect.

3. Continue the policy – This means adopting proposals, despite any adverse effect or missed opportunities to advance equality, provided you have satisfied yourself that it does not unlawfully discriminate. It is important to record what the objective justification is for continuing the policy, and how any decision was reached.

4. Stop and remove the policy – If there are adverse effects that are not justified and cannot be mitigated, consideration should be made to stopping the policy altogether. If a policy shows unlawful discrimination it must be removed or changed.

The Equality Analysis process focuses on 6 Steps of activity:

1. Responsible Officer
2. Establishing relevance
3. Scoping the Analysis
4. Analysing the Equality information
5. Monitoring and review
6. Decision making and Publication

To support the Equality Analysis process the City Council will be using the revised form and guidance information materials below inline with the requirements provided by the Government's Equality Office.

This table lists all the Directorate Equality Analysis Contact Officers. Please forward any enquiries to them directly.

Related Links:
Equality Act
Equality Information
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Equality Framework for Local Government