Equality Impact Assessment
Public authorities have a duty to assess and
disclose the expected impact of policies, plans, strategies and
functions on race, disability and gender. New legislation is
expected to extend this duty to cover all equality strands.
Private developers are increasingly being required to consider the
impact of proposals on equalities, particularly within London and
in areas seeking to achieve social regeneration.
An Equality Impact Assessment examines a
proposed or existing policy, plan, strategy or project to identify
what effect its implementation may have on different groups in the
community. It can anticipate and recommend ways to avoid any
discriminatory or negative consequences for a particular group, on
the grounds of race, gender, disability, faith, sexuality or age.
It also enables demonstration of the potential benefits for
equality target groups arising from a proposed policy or
project.
Scott Wilson's social regeneration team
applies expert equality analytical techniques and knowledge of
issues affecting key equality groups to the analysis of strategies
or projects. This ensures a thorough analysis that is also capable
of considering how multiple forms of discrimination can influence
likelihood of impacts on certain subsections of a community. We use
consultation findings to inform the assessment and ensure that
findings are clearly presented and discussed with both the client
and key stakeholders. This increases ownership of measures to
address possible impact and can increase stakeholder confidence in
the overall policy or project.
