Impact Assessment

The purpose of the EQIA is to improve the way in which the Council develops its policies and functions by making sure that there is no discrimination in the way that they are developed, designed or delivered and that, wherever possible, equality is promoted. The EQIA focuses on assessing and recording the likely equalities impact of any policy or function. As well as assessing the impact on any groups, known as equality target groups, listed below:

Women and Men
Black and Minority Ethnic People
Children and Young People
Older People
Disabled People
Lesbians
Gay Men
TransGender people
Bisexuals
People from specific faith and religious backgrounds

In line with the legislative framework and current good practice the Council has defined equality strands as:

Gender
Race/ethnicity
Disability
Age
Religion/Faith
Sexual Orientation
Health

An EQIA will eventually be carried out on:

All new/reviewed polices and strategies
All existing policies and strategies
All service plans
All best value reviews/service design processes
All area of relevance to the duty to promote equal opportunities
And are primary high level functions