Equality Impact Assessments
and Equality Act 2010
The change in terminology from impact assessments to impact analysis is to
emphasis and focus on the quality of the analysis and not on production of
documents which sometimes have been taken to be an end in itself.
Objectives
At the end of this session you will be able to:
•Define Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)
•State why it is important to undertake EIA
•Understand the stages/process/timescales for conducting EIA
•Conduct Equality Impact Assessment
What is an Equality Impact
Assessment?
Thorough and systematic analysis of the following:
-Projects
-Procedures
-Academic programmes
-Policies
-Strategy
-Teaching and learning practices
to find out their impact (either positive or negative) on particular
group(s) or protected characteristic(s)
Why Equality Impact
Assessments
• Equality Impact Assessments or EIAs are useful ways of making sure
our programmes, projects, practices are inclusive.
• An effective EIA should involve a meaningful assessment of the impact
of our teaching and learning activities on equality and diversity.
• The more robust the process of conducting an EIA, the greater the
legal cover afforded to an organisation if the EIA is challenged or if the
HEI seeks to rely on the EIA in a legal case.
• Not all EIAs will require the same level of staff time and resources.
Why Equality Impact
Assessments Cont…
Not carrying out EIAs may mean we are not paying due regard to
the general equality duty of the Equality Act 2010.
General equality duty:
(a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other
conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act;
(b) advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a
relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it;
(c) foster good relations between persons who share a relevant
protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
Why Equality Impact
Assessments (Cont)
• Equality impact assessments will help us to consider the likely
effect of our programmes, teaching and learning practices, etc
on protected equality groups.
• It shows we have given proper consideration to equality in
writing or reviewing our programmes, teaching practices, etc.
•
To minimise disadvantages that some protected groups may
experience.
The Protected Characteristics
of the Equality Act 2010
MARRIAGE &
CIVIL
PARTNERHSIP
RELIGION /
BELIEF or NONBELIEF
SEXUAL
ORIENTATION
AGE
PROTECTED
CHARACTERISTICS
(9)
GENDER
SEX
REASSIGNMENT
PREGNANCY &
MATERNITY
RACE
DISABILITY
When do we conduct
Equality Impact Assessment?
• When we are introducing new programmes, projects or strategies or
criteria, etc.
• When we intend to revise an existing programme, strategy or
project, or criterion, etc.
Step by step guide to Equality
Impact Assessments
• Step 1 – Identify who is responsible for the programme – to ensure
proper ownership is maintained and the result of the EIA inform
changes and reviews.
• Step 2 – What is the purpose of the programme.
• Step 3 – Is the programme aimed at all protected groups of the
Equality Act 2010.
• Step 4 – In checking relevance ask yourself some questions.
e.g:
- Are there concerns that the programme could exclude or have
adverse impact on any equality group (protected characteristics as
identified by the Equality Act 2010.
Step by step guide to Equality
Assessments Cont….
-
-
-
What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have
for this?
Consider the following:
Course delivery – e.g. timetabling, room allocations, different
approaches to teaching with equality protected characteristics in
mind.
Learning materials – e.g. accessibility, alternative formats, etc.
Assessment methods – alternative way of assessments.
Does the programme take into account the needs, issues, and
experiences of the different equality groups, value diversity and
promote equality of opportunity (e.g. materials to be studied, non
stereotypical scenarios and examples, etc).
What equality monitoring data and information (quantitative and
qualitative) would you use for your EIA.
Step by step guide to Equality
Assessments Cont….
- Consider relevant course evaluation reports.
- Consider student satisfaction survey results.
- Which stakeholder or group can you usefully engage with in
analysing the programme, practice, teaching and learning, etc.
- What will happen or not happen if the programme, practice, etc
stays like this.
- Remember equality impact assessment is not just to remove a
negative effect or discrimination, it is to assist with advancing
equality of opportunity.
Step by step guide to Equality
Assessments Cont….
Step 5 - Bringing all these information together will assist you with
making a judgment about the programme, practice, etc
The information will assist you to arrive at one of these 2 decisions:
• No change
• If adverse impact on particular group, how would you address
it?
- time scale for removing adverse impact
- resource implication
The Equality Act 2010
• From April 2010, as a nation, we now have a Single Equality Duty
which require education institutions to eliminate any form of
discrimination.
• The Act introduced nine protected characteristics thus offering
protection for everyone.
• The Act consolidates, simplifies and expands existing discrimination
laws.
• The Act replaces all existing equality legislation.
For more information on Equality Impact Assessments
please email equality@ljmu.ac.uk