Community Impact Assessment Form
For a summary of this Community Impact Assessment, click here
Title of Community Impact Assessment (CIA): Deafness Support Network – Deaf Link Worker and Communicator Guide
service
Service group: Community Health and Social Care
Date of assessment: 22nd May 2014
Names and roles of people carrying out the community impact assessment. (Please identify Lead Officer):
Emily Grace & Supporting People team
Summary
How did you approach the CIA and what did you find?
There was a consultation exercise involving a questionnaire which was sent out and available on the website, the results of this were
collated and we also offered additional support to the service users through group and individual meetings. We looked at what alternative
services are available and the likely impacts on the service users and found that this proposal will have a serious impact on people with
sensory impairment with very little mitigation measures that can be put in place as there are no alternative services in Salford and very
little accessibility of mainstream services. The relevant equality strands were found to be disability, age, socioeconomic status and non
English speakers/writers.
What are the main areas requiring further attention?
Assessments of all the service users are needed to give a better idea of the future cost for the council of those with statutory needs and
to see if there is an alternative savings proposal that could be considered that may be more cost effective and cause less of a negative
impact on service users, their family/friends/carers and the deaf community.
Summary of recommendations for improvement
Alternative arrangements made for service users with substantial/critical needs. Information given to anyone left without a service.
Communication to continue between the service users and Assistant Mayor for Adult Services.
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Section A – What are you impact assessing?
(Indicate with an “x” which applies):A decision to review or change a service
A strategy
A policy or procedure
A function, service or project
x
Are you impact assessing something that is?:New
Existing
Being reviewed
Being reviewed as a result of budget constraints
x
Describe the area you are impact assessing and, where appropriate, the changes you are proposing?
The deaf link and communicator guide services provided by the Deafness Support Network (DSN) came to the end of a 3 year contract
on 31 December 2013 and have been given a 1 year extension until 31 December 2014. The savings proposal is to abandon plans to go
to tender or bring this service in house and simply end the contract at the end of the extension period.
During this time the plan is for the provider organisation to engage with the current and potential users of the service through avenues
such as the Deaf Gathering and Deaf Blind Network to ensure they are fully informed of the phased withdrawal of the service. DSN will
signpost to alternative services that can be accessed with interpreters such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and give out information
regarding their right to access services. The 35 current service users, are currently being assessed so that arrangements can be made
for their continued support if they have substantial or critical needs under the Fair Access to Care criteria and to also give an idea of the
potential cost to the council that this will incur.
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Section B – Is a Community Impact Assessment required (Screening)?
Consider what you are impact assessing and mark “x” for all the statement(s) below which apply
Service or policy that people use or which apply to people (this could include staff)
Discretion is exercised or there is potential for people to experience different outcomes. For example,
planning applications and whether applications are approved or not
Concerns at local, regional or national level of discrimination/inequalities
Major change, such as closure, reduction, removal or transfer
Community, regeneration and planning strategies, organisational or directorate partnership
strategies/plans
Employment policy – where discretion is not exercised
Employment policy – where discretion is exercised. For example, recruitment or disciplinary process
x
Equality Areas
Indicate with an “x” which equality areas are likely to be affected, positively or negatively, by the proposals
Age
X
Religion and/or belief
Disability
x
Sexual Identity
Gender (including pregnancy and maternity)
People on a low income (socio-economic inequality)
X
Gender reassignment
Other (please state below) (For example carers, ex
offenders)
Non English speaker/writers
x
Race
If any of the equality areas above have been identified as being likely to be affected by the proposals, you will be required to undertake a
CIA. You will need only to consider those areas which you have indicated are likely to be affected by the proposals
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Section C – Monitoring information
C1 Do you currently monitor by
the following protected
characteristics or equality
areas?
Age
Disability
Gender
Gender Reassignment
Race
Religion and/or belief
Sexual Identity
People on a low income
(socio-economic inequality)
Other (please state) (For
example carers, ex offenders)
Yes
(Y) or
No (N)
If no, please explain why and / or detail in the
action plan at Section E how you will prioritise the
gathering of this equality monitoring data.
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Section C– Consultation
C2 Are you intending to carry out consultation on your proposals? Yes
If “yes”, please give details of your consultation exercise and results below
A 12-week consultation took place from April to June 2014 via a questionnaire posted to service
users and also made available on line. Staff and stakeholders were also consulted as part of this
process. Extra support in the form of individual meetings and group meetings with interpreters was
given, people who attend the deaf gathering in Salford were also informed of the consultation.
Consultation results
The council received 1,832 responses to the overall consultation, of which 960 (52%) referred to the
Deafness Support Network proposals. 267 (28%) of the responses were in agreement with the proposal.
Do you agree that it is fair that the council stops funding this service and instead provides
information and advice about how people can find support for themselves?
Of all those who responded about the Deafness Support Network, 28% (267) either strongly agreed or
agreed that it is fair that the council stops funding this service and instead provides information and advice
about how people can find support for themselves. Of the few that agreed, more users 10% (7) agreed than
family and friends of users 5% (1), with no carers of users indicating support, confirming that few people who
use the service or know a service user agreed that it is fair.
Those who identified themselves as disabled people agreed less than those who identified themselves as
non-disabled, with only 25% (105) of all disabled respondents supporting it, compared to 34% (98) of nondisabled respondents. Disabled users had slightly more agreeing 18% (6) than non-disabled users 13% (1).
No disabled friends and family of service users agreed that it was fair to expect people to pay compared to
25% (1) of non-disabled family and friends of service users.
Agreement was generally lower amongst those aged 25-44 (20%, 26) compared to those aged over 65
(34%, 114). None of the service users aged 25-44 agreed it was fair in common with carers of users and
family of friends of users.
More women strongly agreed or agreed that it is fair 31% (137) compared to men at 27% (67). Amongst
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users 16% (4) of women agreed compared to 14% (2) of men.
Approximately 48% (430) of respondents indicated that they had a religious belief. Of these 30% (130)
strongly agreed and agreed that it is fair, which is more than those who indicated that they had no religious
belief (28%, 60) but that it is fair.
The majority of those who disclosed their religion (91%, 435) were Christian. 31% (136) of these agreed that
it was fair. For other religions, there were significantly smaller proportions, with other religions (25%, 5) and
Muslims (15%, 2) thinking it fair.
Less than three quarters of respondents revealed their ethnic heritage (71%, 710), and of those who did
94% (665) were White British and 30% (202) strongly agreed or agreed with the proposal. This compares to
20% (4) of the much smaller number of people who identified themselves as White Irish and 33% (3) people
who identified themselves as mixed heritage, who supported the proposal.
Many respondents did not disclose their sexual identity (45%, 297). Of the 28% (259) who strongly agreed or
agreed that it is fair that the council stops funding this service and instead provides information and advice
about how people can find support for themselves, 61% (158) were heterosexual/ straight, 3% (7) gay men,
3% (8) bisexual and 25% (1) lesbian/ gay women.
Q25. If you have received this service (Deafness Support Network), could you get similar
support from elsewhere in the future?
Respondents to this
question
Number
From family
From friends and neighbours
From a community service, group or charity
Other (combined variations on the above options)
Other (please specify)
Total
32
15
42
19
0
108
Percentage
30%
14%
39%
18%
0%
100%
N.B. - these figures include responses only if Q24 (Deafness
Support Network), was answered.
Of the 108 responses, the remainder being ‘not answered’, the single most common source of
similar support from elsewhere in the future was ‘from community service, group or charity’ at 39%
closely followed by ‘from family’ at 30%.
Feedback from consultation meetings
Service users felt that they needed the service in order to function on a weekly basis, the majority
are unable to read or write as well as use the phone so without it they won’t be able to pay bills,
access services and appointments, deal with debts etc. They felt that deaf people are a very
excluded group who have to fight to survive and fight against discrimination all the time in life, this
service has been a lifeline to them. Service users also felt it was important to note that it is not the
job of an interpreter to explain things and to understand the intricacies of their issues or advocate
on their behalf but only to interpret. The service users also felt that due to them not having a voice
there is little deaf awareness or emphasis on making services accessible amongst commissioners
of services which makes it difficult for them to access everything from the Accident and Emergency
department of their hospital to things like the housing options service or Citizens advice.
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Summary of the comments made on the proposal ( Question 26 – Do you have any other
comments on this proposal )
Categories
- This service is essential and it is discriminatory to remove it
- Current service is inaedequate and how would people pay if service removed?
- Ok to cut if other providers or family can help, should means test
- Cutting the service will put more pressure on other services or on family
- No comment or don't use this service or response is a statement
Total responses to each category
74
10
14
4
19
121
Examples of some of the comments received
o ‘Would only agree if there are sufficient outside agencies to cover this cut to an existing council
service.’
o ‘My family live 300 miles away I will have no help’
o ‘How are people supposed to find the support without sign language support?’
‘Council provision for this community is inadequate and currently lacks any accessibility for the
hearing impaired. As we currently haven't provided information and advice in any accessible
formats relevant to the hearing impaired how will we be able to do this when stopping funding
means we will no longer even be able to identify the relevant communities.’
‘Please note - Minicom and Textphone are generally irrelevant to the hearing impaired. They are
not accessible.’
‘Cutting this service or not providing a better service is making sure the minority of service users
cannot access language services within the council or proper social, health and well-being
services.’
‘With regards to blind people there are obvious difficulties with accessing reading material
(accommodation adverts) and websites, or viewing the property. With regards to deaf people the
main difficulties are using the telephone to make viewing appointments/ get further information on
quotes. Both groups are disadvantages in this way. Also it should be remembered that not all deaf
people can sign or use lip reading - the council should make sure it provides an email address and
webmail (fewer deaf people use minicoms these days) for deaf people to use, and also investigate
whether there is any demand from local deaf people to use video-phones or skype (to aid signing)’
Section C(– Analysis
C3 What
information has
been analysed to
Information from client record forms over the last 4 years
inform the content
of this CIA? What
Economic Status of Client
Frequency Frequency %
were the findings?
Full-time work (24 hrs or more/week) 1
2%
Please include
details of, for
example, service or
employee
monitoring
information,
Part-time work (less than 24 hrs/week) 1
Govt training/Work Programme
1
Job seeker
5
Retired
24
Not seeking work
5
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2%
2%
11%
52%
11%
consultation
findings, any
national or local
research, customer
feedback,
inspection reports,
and any other
information which
will inform your CIA.
Please specify
whether this was
existing information
or was specifically
in relation to this
equality analysis
and CIA process
Long-term sick/disabled
9
20%
The majority of service users are not working and so may well be on a low income,
ending the support they currently get around budgeting and debt management from
the service could result in a negative effect on their financial wellbeing
Alternative services
For issues with debt and money problems, the Citizens Advice Bureau provides a
fortnightly session at Manchester Deaf Centre where a BSL (British Sign Language)
interpreter is also available.
Manchester Deaf centre
Crawford House
Booth Street East
Manchester
M13 9GH
I contacted one of the Citizens Advice Bureaus in Salford to ask if they would
provide interpreters for a deaf person and was told that they wouldn’t. Equalities
legislation means that they would be breaking the law if they refused to provide an
interpreter however deaf people are unlikely to have the financial and
communication support needed to pursue a legal case.
Salford welfare rights service will provide interpreters for appointments regarding
benefits/debt issues. The extra cost of providing interpreters for the council would
depend on how many appointments with welfare rights took place each week. If we
use the number of support hours currently provided by the deaf link worker as a
guide (15) and took that as an absolute maximum the cost would work out at
£52,400.70 per year. Dealing with debt and benefit issues is a large part of the deaf
link worker’s role.
Cost of interpreters
Enhanced DBS £33.50 per hour (minimum two hour booking) – total £67 Additional
30 minutes £15
NVQ Level 6 or NRCPD registered £38.50 per hour(minimum two hour booking)
Additional 30 minutes £20
Depending on the interpreter and the length of the booking (generally if longer than
2/3 hours) then you may need to book 2 so double the cost.
Appointments with the welfare rights service are arranged on a prioritised waiting list
basis so without the service the service users may have to wait for longer before
their benefit/debt issues are resolved.
7/18
Section D – Potential impacts and how these will be addressed
Could your proposals have a
differential impact relating to age
equality
Are your proposals
discriminatory on the grounds of
age?
Will people within certain age
ranges not be getting the
outcome they need?
Will people within certain age
ranges be disadvantaged as a
result of your proposals?
If the impact is negative, how
will it be reduced or eliminated?
Will the proposals mean that
people within certain age ranges
will experience positive
outcomes?
Highlight any positive impacts
Are the proposals likely to
impact on community cohesion?
Is there potential to enhance
relationships between people
who share a protected
characteristic and those who do
not?
Identify areas where there is
potential to foster good relations
Yes (Y)
No (N)
Explain impact(s) and what evidence or data exists to support your analysis?
Equalities data from DSN April 2013 snapshot
Y
Y
20-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65-74
75-84
85-94
95+
Y
0
1
9
6
6
3
6
5
2
If the service is ended it will affect all the current/potential users of the service
regardless of age however the service users with dual sensory loss are all over 65
due to the nature of the disability so the proposal is potentially discriminatory
against those older service users who do not have critical or substantial needs.
N
N
Those service users would be further excluded and discriminated against and will
find it harder to access any services that are not provided by public bodies such as
the Citizens Advice Bureau, utility companies, charities etc. Although the equalities
legislation means it is illegal for any services not to provide communication support
when requested, the service users are unlikely to have the financial and
communication support needed to pursue legal cases against all these services.
Even services provided by public bodies are not easy to access for a deaf person/
someone with dual sensory loss as there won’t usually be an
interpreter/communication support at the point of access and equalities statements
regarding accessing interpreters are not usually provided in BSL either. Without the
service these service users are more likely to fall into debt and have their utilities
cut off, fall into rent arrears and be evicted, have problems with hate crime and anti
social behaviour, be more at risk of health and safety hazards, mental health
issues and isolation.
The cost of interpreters will be unaffordable for the majority and as stated earlier
interpreters cannot explain things or advocate for people so even if a service user
8/18
was able to afford an interpreter they couldn’t deal with many of the day to day
issues that this service supports people with.
Service users can be linked in to the Manchester deaf centre and to the welfare
rights service/ given information on interpreting services but there are no other
alternative services so the impact cannot be mitigated to any real extent.
Could your proposals have a
differential impact relating to
disability equality
Are your proposals discriminatory
on the grounds of disability?
Will people with disabilities not be
getting the outcome they need?
Will people with disabilities be
disadvantaged as a result of your
proposals?
If the impact is negative, how will it
be reduced or eliminated?
Yes (Y)
No (N)
The service is targeted specifically at people with sensory impairment
Y
Y
Y
Will the proposals mean that
people with disabilities will
experience positive outcomes?
Highlight any positive impacts
Are the proposals likely to impact
on community cohesion?
Is there potential to enhance
relationships between people who
share a protected characteristic
and those who do not?
Identify areas where there is
potential to foster good relations
Explain impact(s) and what evidence or data exists to support your analysis?
N
N
Those service users would be further excluded and discriminated against and will
find it harder to access any services that are not provided by public bodies such as
the Citizens Advice Bureau, utility companies, charities etc. Although the equalities
legislation means it is illegal for any services not to provide communication support
when requested, the service users are unlikely to have the financial and
communication support needed to pursue legal cases against all these services.
Even services provided by public bodies are not easy to access for a deaf person
or person with dual sensory loss as there won’t usually be an
interpreter/communication support at the point of access and equalities statements
regarding accessing interpreters are not usually provided in BSL either. Without the
service these service users are more likely to fall into debt and have their utilities
cut off, fall into rent arrears and be evicted, have problems with hate crime and anti
social behaviour, be more at risk of health and safety hazards, mental health
issues and isolation.
The cost of interpreters will be unaffordable for the majority and as stated earlier
interpreters cannot explain things or advocate for people so even if a service user
was able to afford an interpreter they couldn’t deal with many of the day to day
issues that this service supports people with.
Service users can be linked in to the Manchester deaf centre and to the welfare
rights service/ given information on interpreting services but there are no other
alternative services so the impact cannot be mitigated to any real extent.
9/18
Could your proposals have a
Yes (Y)
differential impact relating to
gender equality (this includes
pregnancy and maternity)
Are your proposals
discriminatory on the grounds of
gender?
Will men or women, boys or girls
not be getting the outcome they
need?
Will men or women, boys or girls
be disadvantaged as a result of
your proposals?
If the impact is negative, how
will it be reduced or eliminated?
No (N)
Explain impact(s) and what evidence or data exists to support your analysis?
N
N
Will the proposals mean that
men or women, boys or girls will
experience positive outcomes?
Highlight any positive impacts
Are the proposals likely to
impact on community cohesion?
Is there potential to enhance
relationships between people
who share a protected
characteristic and those who do
not?
Identify areas where there is
potential to foster good relations
N
10/18
Could your proposals have a differential
impact relating to equality for people
planning, undergoing or who have
undergone gender reassignment?
Are your proposals discriminatory for
people planning, undergoing or who
have undergone gender reassignment?
Will people planning, undergoing or who
have undergone gender reassignment
not be getting the outcome they need?
Will people planning, undergoing or who
have undergone gender reassignment
be disadvantaged as a result of your
proposals?
If the impact is negative, how will it be
reduced or eliminated?
Yes (Y)
No (N)
N
Will the proposals mean that people
planning, undergoing or who have
undergone gender reassignment will
experience positive outcomes?
Highlight any positive impacts
Are the proposals likely to impact on
community cohesion?
Is there potential to enhance
relationships between people who share
a protected characteristic and those who
do not?
Identify areas where there is potential to
foster good relations
Explain impact(s) and what evidence or data exists to support your
analysis?
.
N
11/18
Could your proposals have a
differential impact relating to
race equality
Are your proposals
discriminatory on the grounds of
race?
Will people within certain racial
groups not be getting the
outcome they need?
Will people within certain racial
groups be disadvantaged as a
result of your proposals?
If the impact is negative, how
will it be reduced or eliminated?
Yes (Y)
No (N)
Explain impact(s) and what evidence or data exists to support your analysis?
N
Will the proposals mean that
people within certain racial
groups will experience positive
outcomes?
Highlight any positive impacts
Are the proposals likely to
impact on community cohesion?
Is there potential to enhance
relationships between people
who share a protected
characteristic and those who do
not?
Identify areas where there is
potential to foster good relations
N
12/18
Could your proposals have a
Yes (Y)
differential impact relating to
religion or belief equality
Are your proposals
discriminatory on the grounds of
religion or belief?
Will people of certain religions or
who have particular beliefs not
be getting the outcome they
need?
Will people of certain religions or
who have particular beliefs be
disadvantaged as a result of
your proposals?
If the impact is negative, how
will it be reduced or eliminated?
No (N)
Explain impact(s) and what evidence or data exists to support your analysis?
N
Will the proposals mean that
people of certain religions or
who have particular beliefs will
experience positive outcomes?
Highlight any positive impacts
Are the proposals likely to
impact on community cohesion?
Is there potential to enhance
relationships between people
who share a protected
characteristic and those who do
not?
Identify areas where there is
potential to foster good relations
N
13/18
Could your proposals have a
differential impact relating to
sexual identity equality
Are your proposals
discriminatory on the grounds of
sexual identity?
Will gay, lesbian and/or bisexual people not be getting the
outcome they need?
Will gay, lesbian and/or bisexual people be disadvantaged
as a result of your proposals?
If the impact is negative, how
will it be reduced or eliminated?
Yes (Y)
No (N)
Explain impact(s) and what evidence or data exists to support your analysis?
N
Will the proposals mean that
gay, lesbian and/or bi-sexual
people will experience positive
outcomes?
Highlight any positive impacts
Are the proposals likely to
impact on community cohesion?
Is there potential to enhance
relationships between people
who share a protected
characteristic and those who do
not?
Identify areas where there is
potential to foster good relations
N
14/18
Could your proposals have a
differential impact on socio
economic equality (people on a
low income)?
Are your proposals
discriminatory on the grounds of
socio economic inequality?
Will people on a low income not
be getting the outcome they
need?
Will people on a low income be
disadvantaged as a result of
your proposals?
If the impact is negative, how
will it be reduced or eliminated?
Yes (Y)
No (N)
Y
Explain impact(s) and what evidence or data exists to support your analysis?
Only 2% of the service users affected are in full time work, the cost of interpreters
will be unaffordable for the majority and as stated earlier interpreters cannot
explain things or advocate for people so even if a service user was able to afford
an interpreter they couldn’t deal with many of the day to day issues that this service
supports people with.
Service users can be linked in to the Manchester deaf centre and to the welfare
rights service/ given information on interpreting services but there are no other
alternative services so the impact cannot be mitigated to any real extent.
Will the proposals mean that
people on a low income will
experience positive outcomes?
Highlight any positive impacts
Are the proposals likely to
impact on community cohesion?
Is there potential to enhance
relationships between people
who share a protected
characteristic and those who do
not?
Identify areas where there is
potential to foster good relations
N
15/18
Could your proposals have a
Yes (Y)
differential impact relating to any
other equality groups, for
example, carers, ex offenders?
Are your proposals
Y
discriminatory in relation to any
other groups?
Will people within any other
groups not be getting the
outcome they need?
Will people within any other
groups be disadvantaged as a
result of your proposals?
If the impact is negative, how
will it be reduced or eliminated?
No (N)
Impact on those who cannot read and write English as BSL is their first language,
this is the majority of the service users (26 out of the 35 receiving a service) and
these are the people who access the drop in service provided by the deaf
linkworker. This service is invaluable to this group as they are able to drop in
without an appointment on 2 regular days each week and get issues resolved
straight away. These service users would not be able to access help and support
without having a friend/family member/other worker who knows BSL and in many
cases they do not have anyone who does and there are no alternative services in
Salford to refer them to.
DSN have only identified 7 of these 26 as having social care needs as well as
support needs and so if the majority are assessed as only having moderate needs
the council will not have a duty to continue to provide them with a service and this
is where the impact will be most serious.
Will the proposals mean that
people within any other groups
will experience positive
outcomes?
Highlight any positive impacts
Are the proposals likely to
impact on community cohesion?
Is there potential to enhance
relationships between people
who share a protected
characteristic and those who do
not?
Identify areas where there is
potential to foster good relations
Explain impact(s) and what evidence or data exists to support your analysis?
N
This service allows people to get help with written communications from a
dedicated worker, Service users can be linked in to the Manchester deaf centre
and to the welfare rights service/ given information on interpreting services but
there are no other alternative services so the impact cannot be mitigated to any
real extent.
16/18
Section E – Action Plan and review
Detail in the plan below, actions that you have identified in your CIA, which will eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity
and/or foster good relations.
If you are unable to eliminate or reduce negative impact on any of the equality areas, you should explain why
Where will action be
Impact (positive or
Proposed action
Person(s)
Target date
Required outcome
monitored?
(e.g.,
negative) identified
responsible
Directorate Business
Plan, Service Plan,
Equality Action Plan)
People with sensory
impairments in Salford will
be unable to access the
services provided by
anyone other than public
bodies unless they can
afford to pay for an
interpreter or they have
substantial or critical social
care needs. Even services
provided by public bodies
are not easy to access for a
deaf person or someone
with dual sensory loss as
there won’t usually be an
interpreter/communication
support at the point of
access and equalities
statements regarding
accessing interpreters are
not usually provided in BSL
either
All service users to be
Supporting
assessed by social
People team,
workers so that the
Sensory Team
alternative costs of
providing the statutory
services can be
evaluated. Information
about accessing
services with
interpreters to be given
to any service users
who will be left without a
service.
Service users are in
communication with
Councillor Connor at the
moment and will receive
updates on the proposal
as well as having
opportunities to pass on
their views as part of
the council’s
discussions with
partners about the ways
they will seek to
17/18
Business plan
Dec 2014
Alternative
arrangements made
for service users with
substantial/critical
needs. Information
given to anyone left
without a service.
Communication to
continue between
the service users
and Councillor
Connor.
minimise any potential
impact and make
services more
accessible.
Could making the changes in any of the above areas have a negative effect on other groups? Explain why and what you will do about
this.
No.
Name
Signature
Date
Senior Manager
Lead CIA Officer
18/18