Equality impact assessments

An Equality Impact Assessment analyses a proposed or existing policy or strategy to identify what effect, or likely effect, will follow for different groups in the community.

Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) aim to ensure that as far as possible any negative consequences for a particular group or sector of the community are identified and eliminated, minimised or counterbalanced by other measures. In brief, EIAs are helping us to:
  • achieve better results generally;
  • identify actual and potential inequalities; and
  • respond appropriately to these inequalities.

We undertake EIAs at the planning stage of new policies and procedures, and when they are reviewed or changed.  Our EIAs must be accessible to the public, so this page will be updated regularly to include EIAs once they are published.

Equality Impact Assessments

Guidance on when to do an EIA in the light of NSD.doc

EIA screening from May 2010

EIA screenings from June 2010

EIA screenings from July/August 2010

EIA screenings from September 2010

EIA screenings from November 2010

 EIA screenings from December 2010

EIA screenings from January 2011

 

EIA screenings from February 2011

EIA screenings from February 2011

EIA screeings from March 2011

 EIA screenings from April 2011

EIA screenings from May 2011


EIA screenings from June 2011

EIA screenings from August 2011

EIA screenings from September 2011

EIA screenings from November 2011

EIA screenings from December 2011

Documents and guidance

Guidance on Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) (Word, 220Kb)
Overall guidance on carrying out equality impact assessments on policies.

The Policy Clearing House model - Guidance (Word, 199Kb)
The Policy Clearing House model enables each County Council directorate to manage the process of undertaking, publishing, evaluating and reviewing Equality Impact Assessments, systematically and transparently.

Stage 1 - Initial Equality Impact Assessment (Screening Toolkit) (Word, 31Kb)
All policies, procedures, protocols, plans and strategies developed by Suffolk County Council (or Customer Service Direct ) must be screened using the Initial Impact Assessment Toolkit. The toolkit enables all relevant information to be formally and systematically recorded. It enables responsible managers to record decisions about further assessment. It provides the building blocks for any further assessment and consultation.

Stage 2 - Full Equality Impact Assessment (Word, 26Kb)
This assessment builds on the Initial Assessment, and will be undertaken if the Initial Assessment points to the possibility of an adverse impact (discrimination) on any equalities group. It then outlines the risks and benefits and includes advice from experts and interested groups (e.g. the Diversity Manager, Diversity Champions, Equalities Officer, specific voluntary sector or user groups). The completed document includes the assessment, management decisions and details of relevant consultation. The full assessment will include all 8 steps that are required within a full EIA. The previous stages completed will support the assessment and provide appendices. A full assessment therefore builds upon the work that has already been completed and incorporates all of the 8 steps required in a full assessment. The assessment is undertaken together with the County Council Consultation & Involvement Guide (PDF, 470Kb).

Equality Impact Assessments published prior to 2010

EIA: Fairer Charging Policy (Word, 27Kb)
EIA: Learning Disability Partnership Board (Word, 329Kb)
EIA: Libraries Diversity Unit (Word, 209Kb)
EIA: Local Transport Plan 2006 (Word, 164Kb)
EIA: No Limits Website (Word, 376Kb)
EIA: Recruitment of Black & Minority Ethnic Foster Carers  (Word, 158Kb)
EIA: Schools Library Service (Word, 214Kb)
EIA: Suffolk Record Office (Word, 270Kb)
EIA: Traveller Strategy (Word, 142Kb)

The EIAs shown above are based on our old workbook and toolkit, now replaced by the guidance above. If an EIA mentions appendices and they are not part of the document, please request them by email from our Diversity Unit (email: diversity.unit@suffolk.gov.uk ).