Equalities Impact Assessment Summaries 2010 - 2011
Lewisham is a diverse community made up of many different groups and
individuals. We value diversity and believe it essential to try to understand the
different contributions, perspectives and experience that people in our
community have.
We also recognise that there are many forms of discrimination affecting
peoples lives. We know that some groups of people generally experience
more discrimination than others.
To ensure that our services do not discriminate against or adversely affect
any equality group differently, we undertake Equalities Impact Assessments
(EIAs). Towards the end of 2011, Lewisham Council changed EIAs to be
called Equality Analysis Assessments. This change came in after these EIAs
were completed, therefore for the purpose of this document they are referred
to as EIAs.
An EIA is the process of systematically analysing a proposed or existing policy
or strategy. This analysis should identify what effect, or likely effect, will follow
from the implementation of the policy, for different groups in the community.
Similarly, it can be the process for analysing the impact of delivering a service
or function on different groups in the community.
EIAs should be used, as far as possible, to ensure any negative
consequences for a particular group or sector of the community can be
eliminated, minimised or mitigated by other measures.
Below are the EIA summaries for all EIAs undertaken between 2010-11. For
further information on any of the reviews please contact the named officer at
the end of the summary sheets.
Contents Page
No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Title
Close Amersham EY Centre
Closure of Kirkdale Centre
Community Neighbourhood Safety Service
Community Wardens Service
Early Intervention
Economic Development Budget Saving
Fairer Charging
Front Office Redesign
Fuel Poverty
Lewisham Arts Service
Lewisham Town Centre Area Action Plan
Letting of 31/31 Winslade Way
Library & Information Service
Main Grants Programme
Not in Employment, Education or Training Reduction
Removing cash – phase 1
Reduction in sport funding to voluntary sector organisation
School Improvement Team
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
Pg.
3.
7.
9.
11.
14.
16.
20.
23.
29.
32.
35.
36.
38.
41.
43.
46.
48.
51.
2
Name of Review:
Period of Review:
Date review signed off by DMT:
Close Amersham Early Years centre, and reduce
budget of remaining 3 centres
October 2010 - February 2011
February 2011
Scope of the review:
 Close Amersham Early Years Centre in 2011/12 based on the fact that two of the four centres
received a good Ofsted report, one received an outstanding Ofsted report, and Amersham was
judged satisfactory. The Amersham building also needs further capital investment; Value for Money
at Amersham is poor. There is sufficient alternative childcare in the local area.
 Research the possibilities of reducing the budgets of the remaining three centres to make them
sustainable and independently viable, and as a result:
 Seek for an alternative delivery arrangement during 2012 – 2014; this could either take the form of
(1) being offered out to the private and voluntary sectors via a tendering process; or (2) a takeover
as part of a management buy-out or staff co-operative process, or (3) closure as a final resort.
Review team:
Lyn May, Head of Children’s Centres, Childcare and Play service supported by:
Robert Hodges, Policy Officer, Commissioning, Strategy & Performance
Paul Yiannakou, Children’s Centre Childcare and Play Programmes Manager
Kate Platt, Children’s’ Centre Service Area 1 Manager
Penny Arlett, Children’s Centre Service Area 2 Manager
Relevant data and research:
There are four Early Childhood Centres in Lewisham. Two of them are in Children’s Services Area 1
(Amersham ECC and Honor Oak ECC) and two in Children’s Services Area 2 (Ladywell ECC and Rushey
Green ECC). Areas 3 and 4 do not have directly managed Early Childhood Centres.
Centre Details
Catchment area
Services provided
Staff
Main Service
Numbers Users
1) Amersham
Brockley Ward and
100 Early Education and 21
Working parents
Early Childhood
Children’s Centre
Childcare places Some
and parents of
Centre, 77
Service Area 1 (
places for children with
children with a
Amersham Road,
Brockley, Telegraph Hill, identified special needs
priority need
London, SE14
New Cross and Evelyn
6QQ
Wards)
2) Honor Oak
Early Childhood
Centre, Brockley
Way, SE4 2LW
3) Ladywell Early
Childhood Centre,
30 Rushey Mead,
London, SE13
7HT
4) Rushey Green
Early Childhood
Centre, 41
Telegraph Hill Ward and
Children’s Centre
Service Area 1
Brockley, Telegraph Hill,
New Cross and Evelyn
Wards
Ladywell Ward and
Children’s Centre
Service Area 2 ( Crofton,
Park, Lee Green,
Lewisham Central,
Blackheath, Ladywell,
Rushey Green
But also priority children
can come to the centre
from all over he borough
Rushey Green Ward and
Children’s centre Service
Area 2 (Crofton, Park,
68 Early Education and
Childcare and a special
needs unit
24
As Above
80 Early Education and
Childcare and a special
needs unit, also on site
pre-school managed by
the Pre-School Learning
Alliance
39
As Above
60 Early Education and
Childcare places and
places for children with
23
As Above
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
3
Rushey Green,
London, SE6 4AS
Lee Green, Lewisham
Central, Blackheath,
Ladywell, Rushey Green)
But also priority children
can come to the centre
from all over the
borough.
Special Needs
Ethnicity, Disability data collected for each Early Years Childhood Centre
Consultation:
A series of informal consultation meetings with staff and the Head of Children’s Centres, Childcare and Play
took place in May/June 2010 (see list below). These meetings were set up to inform staff of the Council’s
financial position with regard to the national public sector savings programme and the potential implications
for Children’s Centres; staff were advised that proposals were at an early stage of development.
Information was also provided to Trade Union representatives.
Date of event
24th May 2010
26th May 2010
Audience
Children’s centre
Service Area
Managers
Early Childhood
Centre Managers
1st June 2010
Ladywell ECC Staff
1st June 2010
Meeting Honor Oak
Staff
Meeting Rushey
Green Staff
Meeting with
Amersham Staff
4th June 2010
23rd June 2010
Issues raised by staff
Concerns about ECC Staff and the childcare linked to
Children’s Centres
Officers were very concerned about the future
employment situation and support for children with
Special Needs and Disabilities. Concerns were raised
the quality of private sector provision and its ability to
meet the needs of vulnerable children.
Concerns were expressed about future support for
children who no longer are supported by the priority
funding budget Concerns also raised about increased
pressure on Children’s Social Care because of this.
As above
As above
As above
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
Age:
The care patterns of young children who attend the ECC that is to close will be affected because they will
need to be placed at an alternative service. This is regretted but every effort will be made by the Council’s
Family Information Service to ensure that all parents are given full guidance and information to be able to
identify a suitable alternative. Placements will be found by the local authority for all “priority place” children.
It is noted that sufficient childcare provision for very young children (including those aged under 2 years)
needs to be identified and that information about these services needs to be more readily available. The
Council is able to provide information about local child care provision that is available across all sectors and
will ensure that this includes details of those providers who are able to look after babies and very young
children.
The concerns expressed by parents about problems in identifying suitable provision for children under 2
years are noted. However, whilst it is true that there is great pressure on group day care for babies, there
are many childminders in the borough who could fill this gap. Fear that this would limit socialisation
opportunities are being challenged by the development of childminding networks where childminders meet
with other minders as a group.
It is not felt that there will be any significant impact felt by young children from the proposal to reduce the
budgets of the other centres. These reductions will be implemented to ensure that the focus is on improving
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
4
efficiency and effectiveness in the management of the centres and the care and well-being of children will
remain paramount in this review.
The Local Authority acknowledges the concerns raised by some parents about the quality of some
childminding services. However, childminding is seen by both local and central government as a legitimate
branch of childcare. In Lewisham many childminders are organised in networks, supported by a network coordinator to ensure that the provision has a high educational element linked to the Early Years Foundation
Stage. Additionally, all new childminders are given the support of an experienced childminder to ensure that
quality is high even at the early stages of the minder profession. All Lewisham childminders have access to
a comprehensive training programme and many of them are qualified to NVQ Level 3.
Safeguarding at childminder homes is ensured as all go through exactly the same CRB process as other
settings, and they are visited by Ofsted both in terms of announced and unannounced visits to ensure that
children are being well cared for.
Disability:
It is not felt that the proposals regarding the Early Childhood Centres unlawfully discriminate against or
otherwise disadvantage people with disabilities. It has been noted that there are also plans to extend the
provision at two of the centres to provide special needs resources (at Ladywell ECC) and dedicated
services for children with autism (at Honor Oak ECC). It is not felt that these plans will be put at risk or
otherwise adversely affected by any of the current proposals.
The local authority will work with the remaining ECCs to ensure that the level and quality of provision to
children with special needs remains a priority and that any budget reductions do not adversely impact upon
these children.
Gender:
The staff at the ECCs are almost totally female reflecting the picture of the Council as a whole as there are
more female than male staff. Any deletion of posts in the Early Childhood Centres will compound the
position for women generally.
The data from the ECCs about users indicates that it is not expected that there will be any significantly
greater impact upon female users (e.g. mothers) of the service from the proposals. For example, at all the
centres a large proportion of the children who attend are in two-parent families and most of these parents
are also in regular employment. Any impact from the proposals would therefore be expected to be shared
between them.
Race:
It is not felt that the proposals regarding the Early Childhood Centres unlawfully discriminate against people
of different racial groups. As reported previously, Lewisham is a culturally diverse borough and any change
or reduction of any service is therefore likely to impact upon people from a range of ethnic minority groups.
It is recognised that the majority of staff at Amersham ECC are from black and minority ethnic groups,
reflecting the ethnic diversity of LB Lewisham’s employees. The Council has processes in place to
minimise impact on staff in terms of redundancies and this includes consideration of alternative suitable
employment through the redeployment procedures. The Council is also committed to enabling all directly
affected staff to access support and training in order to increase their skills and employability.
Religion:
Early Childhood Centres provide childcare for families and employment for staff regardless of their faith or
belief. It is noted that due to the range of different cultures and beliefs that exist in Lewisham, any changes
due to the current proposals will impact upon staff, children and families of different faiths and beliefs.
However, it is not expected that there will be any significant impact upon any specific faith group from the
proposals.
Sexual Orientation:
Early Childhood Centres provide childcare for families and employment for staff regardless of their sexual
orientation. There is no information available about the sexual orientation of staff or parents at the centres,
although the written responses to the consultation indicate that almost all parents have identified
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
5
themselves as heterosexual. It is not expected that there will be any significant impact upon this category.
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action:
Christine Grice, Head of Access and Support
Christine.Grice@lewisham.gov.uk
0208 314 6300
Issue
Equality category
Recommendation / Action
Availability of affordable Disability, Age
LBL to work with local private voluntary and
quality childcare for
independent providers to encourage and support
children with special
the sector to provide a sufficient level of affordable
needs and disabilities,
quality childcare across the borough for children
and for those aged up to
with special needs and disabilities.
2 years.
Suitable placements to
Disability
LBL to ensure that all priority placed children at
be found for all priority
Amersham ECC, including any with disabilities and
placed children affected
special educational needs, will be found suitable
by closure of a centre
alternative placements
Support and guidance
Race, Gender
LBL to ensure that all Amersham ECC staff are
for staff at Amersham
given personal support and guidance in finding
ECC whose posts are to
alternative employment, including access to
be deleted
training and development programmes to extend
their range of skills
Provision of information Age
LBL to ensure that accurate and up to date
about local child care
information is always available about providers
provision for children
who are able to look after babies and very young
aged two years and
children
under
For full report contact:
Catherine Bunten
Catherine.bunten@lewisham.gov.uk
0208 314 6577
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
6
Name of Review:
Closure of Kirkdale Centre
Period of Review:
2010/11
Date review signed off by DMT:
March 2011
Scope of the review:
Community Education Lewisham (CEL) has been reviewing its service provision in view of the
funding reductions from the Skills Funding Agency (SFA). SFA have announced that the skills
budget for adult learning will reduce by 25% over the next four years from September 2011, and
there will also be reform of the Adult Safeguarded Budget.
The ongoing reduction in SFA support has necessitated a review of the CEL operation with a
view to identifying savings which will protect learning provision and ensure the most effective
and efficient use of its assets.
This is an Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposal to close the Kirkdale Centre.
It considers how the proposal might affect different groups in society. It also outlines the
activity that the Council will take to ensure that equal opportunities are promoted and that
no group is faced with disproportionate discrimination.
Review team: CEL and Community Service’s Policy Team
Relevant data and research:
The assessments made in this EIA are based upon both qualitative and quantitative
information as to how both the service and Kirkdale centre is used. By drawing upon a
range of statistical and consultation information, the Council is well-placed to assess how
this change to the service might affect specific groups in the community.
The sources of information that inform this EIA include demographic information on the
borough, as well as Lewisham learner profiles. The latter record personal information on
each learner, including their address, gender, age, ethnicity and disability.
This statistical information is complemented by information from previous consultation
exercises, previous EIAs and learner feedback. This includes:
Feedback from Mayor’s Commission on Libraries and Learning
 Consultation around the proposed closure of the centre
 Information from previous EIAs
Consultation:

Consultation comprised a number of different activities. Learners and residents have
made their views known through existing avenues of consultation and engagement, for
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
7
example through council questions and direct correspondence with the Council. In addition
Lewisham has undertaken specific consultation activity with the wider public and with
learners and interested parties from each of the neighbourhoods potentially affected by this
proposal.
All respondents to the consultation emphasised the value of the learning experience that
CEL offered across the borough. Kirkdale is highly valued by all those who use the centre
but there was also a recognition that the physical limitations of the building had contributed
to a reduced course offer which meant that the centre was considerably underused with
low learner numbers.
Some learners raised concerns about transport difficulties and costs in relocating to
another centre. Currently 30% of learners at Kirkdale also attend classes at other sites.
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
The overall assessment is that the proposal to close Kirkdale will not have a
disproportionately adverse impact across protected characteristics and will not lead to
unlawful discrimination.
There are suitable rooms and unused capacity at other CEL sites to enable the relocation
of most of the course provision from Kirkdale. In terms of provision, the Council can
continue to provide 96% of the courses currently offered at the Kirkdale Centre at one its
three other centres. The majority of classes will be relocated to Brockley Rise as it is the
nearest site to Kirkdale. Classes that need specialist workshop facilities will be relocated
to the Granville site as there is a lack of suitable space at Brockley Rise. The Granville
Park workshop will be reconfigured and equipment will be moved to Granville over the
summer period to ensure that a fully functioning workroom will be ready for the start of the
new academic year in September 2011.
While the majority of learners will have less far to travel if they decide to access provision at
Brockley instead of Kirkdale, it is clear that some individuals will have further to travel and that
for those with restricted mobility or who do not feel confident changing their routines this could
present a disadvantage. There are good transport links to Granville and Brockley Rise. In
addition, to mitigate this negative impact the Council will contact users who may find changing
centres more challenging and offer them advice as to how they can continue to access their
courses.
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action:
Helen Hammond, Service Manager for CEL 020 8314 6189
For full report contact:
Community Services Policy Team, 020 8314 8289
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
8
Name of Review:
Period of Review:
Date review signed off by DMT:
Community Neighbourhood Safety Service
2010/11
February 2011
Scope of the review:
The Crime Reduction Service will be established from April 2011 as a result of re-structuring and
merging of the Community Wardens Service and Community Safety Service (Community Safety Team
and the Anti-Social Behaviour Team).
This EIA is concerned with the current proposals for the restructure of the Crime Reduction service and
the impact that will have on the community. At present these represent the potential outcomes from the
Mayors review of budgets as part of the overall budget review process.
The key questions this Equality Impact Assessment has to address are:
 Are the services within the Crime Reduction Service indirectly discriminating any equalities
categories?
 Could the restructure service affect some customer groups and communities differently?
Review team:
The review team comprises a core team of:
Geeta Subramaniam - Head of Crime Reduction and Supporting People, Community Services
Daniel Fish-Halvorsen - Strategic Community Warden Service Manager, Community Services
Gary Connors - Strategic Community Safety Service Manager, Community Services
Arseny Barkovskiy - Strategic Assessment Lead, Community Services
Paul Creech - Policy Officer, Community Services
Relevant data and research:
A range of existing data was used in production of this EIA:
Lewisham Residents Survey 2007
Metropolitan Police Public Attitude Survey (PAS)
British Crime Survey 2009-2010: Chapter 5 – Public Perceptions (BCS)
Wardens Service Consultation – 2009
Local Assemblies
Consultation:
Consultation on the proposed development of the Neighbourhood Crime Reduction Service has taken
two approaches. One is to consider the existing evidence relating to community feelings on crime and
antisocial behaviour. This included results from previous consultations, national crime surveys and
community engagement. The second strand consists of specific consultation with stakeholders on the
proposed development of the Community Warden Service and Safety Service into a single unified
service.
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
The overall assessment is that the proposed restructure into the Crime Reduction Service will not
unlawfully discriminate against service users. The proposal is to merge current services where there are
synergies across teams, not to remove the provision of service entirely from the community.
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
9
In respect of replacing the current services with a new provision developed to meet the needs of the
communities and taking into consideration their equalities needs, the overall impact of the proposal
should be positive.
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action:
Geeta Subramaniam – Head of Crime Reduction and Supporting People, 020 8314 9569
For full report contact:
Community Services Policy Team, 020 8314 8289
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
10
Name of Review:
Community Wardens Service
Period of Review:
2010/11
Date review signed off by DMT:
February 2011
Scope of the review:
The Lewisham Warden Service provides a visible, uniformed presence and is often the first point of
contact for residents with the Council.
The purpose of the Service is to improve quality of life for the borough’s residents by helping local people
tackle their issues. Wardens have a number of functions, often dependent on local need.
The equality aspects of service are to be reviewed with the rest of the Crime and Reduction Services as
part of the rolling three year Corporate Equalities Scheme (2008-11).
The key questions this Equality Impact Assessment has to address are:





Could the service affect some groups in the community differently?
Will the service promote equality of opportunity?
What are the potential equality issues and factors that will impact upon the service?
Is the service indirectly discriminating any equalities categories?
Review team:
The review team comprises a core team of 5:
Daniel Fish-Halvorsen - Strategic Community Warden Service Manager
Valda Parker - Head Warden , New Cross and Deptford
Carlton Murray - Head Warden, Bellingham & Downham
Eddie Barrington - Head Warden, Bike Team
George Smart - Head Warden, Honor Oak and Brockley
Assisted by:
Jennifer Matthews - Business Support Officer, Community Wardens Service
Katie Weeks – Policy Officer, Strategy and Policy team, Community Services
Relevant data and research:
National, Lewisham borough and the Wardens Service data was used to undertake the assessment. The
following were employed:

ONS data on ward and borough demographics

Lewisham equality profiles

2001 census data

Lewisham annual residents survey

Lewisham gender consultation event
Consultation:
This EIA is informed by a recent consultation on the effectiveness of the Wardens service, which was
carried out between January and June 2009. Both the local evaluation and previous national evaluations
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
11
of Wardens, found that they play a valuable role in increasing resident satisfaction, helping to reduce fear
of crime and anti-social behaviour. Wardens were also seen as accessible and able to link people and
agencies together. These findings were further supported by two evaluations in 2006 and 2008 of the
Wardens service in the New Cross Gate New Deal for Communities (NDC).
This EIA has been developed in consultation with our Head Wardens, Community Services Policy team
and our stakeholders.
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
The overall assessment is that the Wardens Service does not unlawfully discriminate against any of the
six equalities categories.
This EIA has provided a useful exercise in identifying areas of strength and weakness for the Wardens
service in regards to equality issues. By its very nature, wardens contribute to community cohesion,
reassurance and engaging people from all equality groups who live, work or visit the borough. However,
as with many services, some groups are better represented than others. The service makes every effort
to engage with minority and under-represented groups and this EIA will help to continue and focus that
work, ensuring that everyone in Lewisham is aware of the Warden service and what we do, and how to
access the service for information and support.
The following actions have been identified from the assessment of the service to help improve the way in
which the service operates.
Issue
Equalities
group(s)
affected
Action

Improve
understanding of the
impact of the
wardens service on
the six equalities
groups.


Improve access to
wardens service for
members of faith and
religious groups
Ethnicity
Religion / faith
Impact of the
Wardens on
reducing truancy
All (young
people)

Improved interagency working
All


Owner
Times
Review impact of new CRM
reporting system on service
interactions across the six
equalities strands, particularly
people with disabilities and
LGBT
Monitor involvement of girls and
women in diversionary projects
Daniel Fish-Halvorsen
6 mon
Collect and analyse data on
interactions with religious/ faith
groups.
Increase engagement with faith
groups.
Evaluate impact of the truancy
pilot in reducing truancy.
Daniel Fish-Halvorsen
6 mon
Carlton Murray
1 year
Evaluate how the wardens work
with other uniformed and nonuniformed agencies, including
social services, housing, etc
and identify areas for
improvement.
Daniel Fish-Halvorsen
1 year
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
12
No data for sexual
Sexual
 Attendance of Wardens at the
orientation as cause orientation
LGBT staff forum, to gain
for wardens
information on the specific
interaction
concerns of this group,
(homophobic bullying
particularly around reporting of
/crime)
homophobic crime.
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action:
Daniel Fish-Halvorsen
Daniel Fish-Halvorsen - Strategic Community Warden Service Manager - 0208 314 3838
For full report contact:
Community Services Policy Team, 020 8314 8289
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
13
6 mon
Name of Review:
Early Intervention
Period of Review:
February 2011
Date review signed off by DMT:
February 2011
Scope of the review:
Within the context of the 20% cuts to the grants constituting the Early Intervention Grant; in 2011/12 we
propose to cease to provide non-statutory universal early years services out of Children’s Centres. It is
proposed that the grant is allocated over eight categories of expenditure:
1. Targeted Early Years services – for children and families at a targeted level of need through the
Borough’s network of children’s.
2. Family Support Services – providing targeted outreach and family support to deprived children
and families in need.
3. Support for services in conducting ‘Team around the Child’ and ‘Team around the Family’.
4. Diversion from care – providing services such as intensive support to those children and families
facing multiple challenges.
5. Support for children with complex needs – providing a range of services including short breaks for
disabled children, support for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, behaviour support.
6. Youth Services – providing services to support young people including targeted activity to supoprt
those at risk of underachieving.
7. NEET (not in education, employment or training) reduction work.
8. Family Information Service – providing web based information and advice on children’s services
to all families, carers and professionals in the Borough.
Review team:
Christine Grice (Head of Access and Support)
Warwick Tomsett (Head of Commissioning, Strategy and Performance)
Relevant data and research:
Ring-fencing has been removed from the Early Intervention Grant. The grant has been reduced from
£22m to £17.6million, a £4.4m cut representing a 20% reduction in these grants.
Lewisham has a younger age profile that the rest of the UK with children and young people making up
approximately 25% of out residents. Lewisham has approximately 37,000 pupils within its schools.
There are four Early Childhood Centres in Lewisham, providing early education and childcare for children
aged 0-5 and four Children’s Centre Service Areas – Area profiles used for specifications including
deprivation, ethnicity, disability.
Estimated that 100 posts could be affected. Greater proportion of female staff in Children’s Centres
Consultation:
 All organisations that will be impacted by the proposal were informed and offered the opportunity
to attend meetings to discuss the proposals, and are aware of the proposals. Many contracts
were always going to be ending on 31.03.11.
 Children’s Centres Service User meetings
 Online consultation – Uengage
 Meeting with stakeholders and partners (VAL, CYP Forum, CYPSPB, JCG, Schools Strategic
Boards, LSCB, Young Mayor)
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
Age:
- the proposals relate to services for young people and so will impact disproportionately on this age
group. However, this needs to be seen in context of the whole package of savings proposals being
considered by the Council where impact will apply across a whole range of groups.
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
14
Disability:
- the refocusing of services on vulnerable groups may have a positive impact n Children with SEN as the
proposal seek to promote equal opportunities for this group in the provision of targeted services
Gender:
- the proposals include ending or not renewing contracts with some organisations who provide activities
for parents and young children. As females are more likely to use these services, they will feel a more
significant impact from the proposals
- the proposals for staff reduction are likely to impact negatively and disproportionately upon female
employees.
Ethnicity:
- a large proportion of Lewisham’s population of children and young people are from BME communities.
However, the targeting of services will not impact disproportionately on these groups
Religion:
No impact
Sexual Orientation:
No impact
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action:
Christine Grice
Christine.Grice@lewisham.gov.uk
For full report contact:
Catherine Bunten
Catherine.bunten@lewisham.gov.uk
0208 314 6577
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
15
Name of Review:
Economic Development Budget Savings Proposal
Period of Review:
Date review signed off by DMT:
2010/11
Signed off as part of budget process discussions
2010/11
Scope of the review: Assessing the equalities implications, of the Economic Development
service savings proposal and expected outcomes
It was proposed that Economic Development moved towards a core strategic and commissioner model
service requiring a minimum structure, enabling the following to be provided:










the Ec
Maintenance of the LEA (Local Economic Assessment)1
Strategic lead on business, worklessness and unemployment for the council
LSP (Local Strategic Partnership) lead officer support for the Economic Development and
Enterprise Partnership
A corporate EU (European Union) function – sourcing EU funding and developing transnational partnerships on behalf of Economic Development and the Council.
Provision of a small monitoring and administration function to manage on-going external
funding streams - this would shrink / grow dependent on income
Contract management of BAS contract – pending external funding
Bi-annual Business Awards
A strategic lead for the Local Labour and Business Scheme – funded from S106 income.
On-going income generation and subsequent commissioning of services.
Continuation of the service provider forum to facilitate joint working, provider partnerships and
a clear referral pathway for residents into employment.
Economic Development would no longer offer the following services/functions:





A town centre management service
A tourism function
Opening Doors
A consultation service for planning and regeneration
Community business support
Review team: Lesley Lee, Kevin Turner, Alison Beck and Laura Gregory
Relevant data and research: NOMIS data on unemployment in Lewisham; Job Seeker Allowance
claimants; Employment Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit claimants; lone parent households
data; differences between male and female employment rates
Statistics on clients supported by Opening Doors, broken down by gender, age, disability and ethnicity.
Data on business activity in Lewisham and businesses supported broken down by gender, age, disability
and ethnicity. Data on income deprivation, employment deprivation by ward, linked back to usage of
Opening Doors. Analysis of consultation responses by age, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion/faith and
sexual orientation.
Consultation:
Staff consultation process
Consultation with staff was undertaken as set out in the Council’s Managing Change guidelines and ran
for an extended period of six weeks concurrently with the public consultation exercise. All non agency
staff working within the service, and the trades unions, were sent a paper setting out the reasons for the
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
16
proposed reduction to the Economic Development service. It provided detail of the current service, the
rationale for change and outlined the proposed structure from 1 April 2010. It included current and
proposed staff structure charts and a timetable for consultation. To encourage feedback from as many
staff as possible, there were a range of feedback mechanisms including written responses, participation
in team meetings and bookable one to one sessions with John Miller, Head of Planning.
Public consultation process
Local businesses and other interested parties were consulted on the proposals around business support
and town centre management through an online survey on the Council’s website, a business enewsletter and a town centre newsletter .
Approximately 1400 users of the Opening Doors service, current and over the past two years, were
consulted through a leaflet survey which was mailed out to home addresses with a FREEPOST return
address. It was also made available at Opening Doors and on the Council website. Two events were
held for service users where they could express their views face to face to the Head of Planning either on
a one to one basis or in small groups. One event was held during the working day, the other was held
after working hours to allow clients who were in work to attend.
Key partners, including the voluntary sector, were consulted through the September Economic
Development and Enterprise Partnership meeting and a mailout; partners involved in worklessness
support were consulted through the Lewisham Service Provider Forum event on 15 September and the
forum newsletter.
There were also two relevant `case studies’ used as part of the overall Council consultation “Our
Lewisham, Our Say”, which focus on employment support and town centres. These were used in the
online survey and forum; in outreach activity and at some Local Area Assemblies.
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
The overall assessment is :(a) that this saving proposal will have an adverse impact on some equalities groups but will not lead to
unlawful discrimination. A full and robust EIA with appropriate consultation has been conducted, which
has had due regard to legal requirements. Any potential negative impact on equalities groups has been
considered and clearly identified, and a range of mitigating actions will be taken to reduce impact where
possible. The full EIA, including full consultation feedback, will be made available to the Mayor in order
that he can take his decision on the proposal with knowledge of the potential impact on equalities
groups, and the mitigation.
This proposal should be seen in the context of the Council’s duty to set a balanced budget. This savings
proposal, alongside others to be considered at Mayor and Cabinet on 17 November 2010, will help meet
that legal requirement in 2011/12.
(b) assessment of the potential impact on equalities groups has been based on analysis of the data in
Section 4 and the feedback from staff, service users, partner organizations and the general public. Our
assessment is that the proposal is likely to have a negative impact on the following equalities groups,
and does not provide any opportunities to positively promote equal opportunities:-
-
the proposal will impact negatively and disproportionately on BME people, who make up 66% of
Opening Doors service users, and are also the highest users of our Business Support services, with
55% of businesses and 74% of individuals using the Business Advisory service, and 88% of those
using Simple Business Solutions.
the proposal will impact negatively on disabled people. While the % of disabled people using the
Opening Doors service is 6% against a boroughwide % of 15.6%, it is likely that a significant
proportion of that 15.6% are people not actively seeking work, due to either their age or the nature of
their disability. It is also clear from the client feedback that disabled people who use the service
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
17
-
-
value it highly, and in some cases for reasons specific to their disability. They feel that service of this
quality – or in some cases any service at all – would not be available to them from other providers.
Feedback from both staff and clients also suggests that Opening Doors provides valuable support to
people with mental health issues.
the proposal may impact negatively on older people. Although data on Opening Doors clients shows
that the majority are aged 25 – 49 [66%], 20% of users are over 50 and a number of client responses
and staff feedback highlighted the importance of Opening Doors to older job seekers
it is also clear that Opening Doors supports a significant number [495] of long term unemployed
people, who are likely to be those who are furthest from the job market
(c) it is not possible to conclude the workforce profile assessment section of the EIA until after the
decision has been taken, and if agreed, implemented. However, given the specific nature of the proposal
and concerns raised by staff, it is important to recognize at this stage what the likely impact will be. It is
to be expected that a reduction of such significance – the proposal reduces Economic Development from
31 to 6 staff – would potentially produce a very different staffing profile. Initial assessment of potential
impact indicates that the following outcomes are likely:-
-
that the gender balance between women and men will become more even, since women currently
represent 71% of the workforce. However a high proportion of women will potentially be facing
redeployment/redundancy
there will be no impact on disability since no staff currently identify themselves as being disabled
approximately one-third of staff facing potential redeployment/redundancy are 50 and over+
there is likely to be a very negative impact on the proportion of BME staff, with at best possibly just
one BME staff member in the new structure. This has been identified as a concern by staff who have
rightly stressed the importance of Council staff reflecting the local, diverse population, particularly in
areas such as employment and business support.
All Council change management policies have been properly followed, including the carrying out of an
organizational change EIA, which will be fully completed post implementation, if the savings proposal is
accepted. This individual savings proposal and its impact does need to be set in the context of the wider
budget savings process at Divisional, Directorate and Councilwide level, and a full EIA on the whole
process will be conducted at the appropriate time by HR. While recognizing that, the impact of the
proposal on the workforce profile, and specifically the impact on the proportion of BME staff is negative
and undesirable, and management have indicated below actions which will be taken to mitigate this,
ahead of any change that may happen to the profile over time through natural wastage and other
changes.
Mitigation
Full mitigation will not be possible and the proposals will have a negative impact across the borough.
However a number of actions will be taken to reduce impacts where possible.
Opening Doors
 An exit strategy will be put in place to ensure clients are given support to access other services,
including opportunities for volunteering
 The service will close to new clients prior to the closure date so as to not leave clients
unsupported.
 The Lewisham Service Providers forum will be used to communicate alternative referral routes
 The Council website will be updated to provide guidance on agencies available to provide support
from April 2011.
 The information gathered from the consultation will inform future commissioning of services
including addressing how best to support BME, disabled and older people.
 The information gathered from the consultation will be discussed at both the Lewisham Service
Provider Forum and the Economic Development and Enterprise Partnership to inform wider
strategic work on provision. The potentially negative impact of this proposal on specific equalities
groups – including BME, disabled and older people - will be highlighted, and ways in which
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
18
partners can work together to mitigate this will be explored.
Town Centre Management
 The Council website will be updated to provide guidance on agencies available to provide support
from April 2011.
 Town Centre Managers will work with local traders associations over the next six months to
develop and consider taking on some of the current role in supporting local retailers.
 S106 funding secured for town centres will be delivered on a commissioned basis to ensure local
high streets still benefit from developments in the borough.
 Wherever possible best practice, knowledge and contacts will be shared with other council
departments to ensure some continuity of aspects of the service. There will be specific
discussions with the Local Area Assembly team on how best to ensure that feedback on economic
development issues which arise at Assembly meetings can be fed into Economic Development to
inform future commissioning of services
Business Support
 The information gathered from the consultation will inform future commissioning of services.
 The re-commissioning of a reduced Business Advice Service will take into account equalities
implications and the loss of both TCMs and Community Business support.
Economic Development workforce profile

The workforce profile impact assessment will be completed (if the proposal is accepted) after
implementation of the organizational changes, with results being fed into wider Directorate and
Councilwde EIA work
 The potentially negative impact of the proposal on the proportion of BME staff cannot be
addressed quickly. However mitigating action will be taken including ensuring the need to
consider diversity issues in provision are addressed in future commissioning of services and
ensuring that, as and when vacancies arise in future, all efforts are made, within the law, to
encourage applications from BME people
 Staff who may be displaced by this proposal, including BME staff , people 50 and over and
women, will be given all possible support to help them find alternative employment including one
to one and group support, learning and development opportunities and assistance with CV writing
etc
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action: Kevin Turner, Economic
Development manager, 0208 314 8229
For full report contact: Kevin Turner
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
19
Name of Review:
Period of Review:
Date review signed off by DMT:
Scope of the review:
Fairer Charging
2011/12
February 2011
This Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) assesses the potential impact on Lewisham residents of the
proposed changes for charging criteria for adult social care services. The EIA fulfils the statutory
requirement for all public bodies to assess the impact of their policies and services on different equalities
groups.
This EIA seeks to ensure that the following proposed changes will not adversely discriminate on any
groups:
Increase the charge for meals from £3 to £3.50 from 1st April 2011
Increase the percentage of net disposable income considered to 90% in April 2011 and 100% in April
2012.
Increase the maximum weekly charge for services from £290 to £395 in April 2011 and to £500 in April
2012.
A minimum level of Disability Related Expenditure (DRE) should be taken into account without the
requirement to provide receipts, this rate to be £5 p.w. from 1/4/2011 and reviewed in April 2011-12 for
2012-13.
Disability Related Expenditure should only be taken into account for clients receiving a disability related
benefit.
The Council’s Fairer Contributions Policy will be based on 100% of service cost
and that existing subsidies should be removed from in-house services over 3 years.
Income Support Buffer should remain at 35% in April 2011 but be reviewed in April 2012
Carers services provided at home and reablement services will continue to be free for eligible users
Options for charging for transport will be developed
Options for variable charges for meals prepared at day centres will be developed.
Review team:
Robert Mellors, Finance Manager
Sadie King, Policy Officer, Community Services
Paul Creech, Policy Officer, Community Services
Relevant data, research and consultation
Between September 1st 2010 and November 30th 2010, Lewisham Council consulted with service users,
carers, voluntary sector and service provider organisations and members of the public to obtain a
comprehensive view of the potential impacts of implementing the proposed changes for adult social care
charges and contributions.
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
20
To consult effectively on the proposed changes to adult social care the Council utilised a number of
different methods including postal and online questionnaires, focus groups, home visits, outreach
consultation events and meetings with voluntary sector partners and providers. In addition to these key
meetings and events, the consultation was discussed at various partnership boards and Council staff
also attended the Health and Social Care Forum.
Over 3,500 questionnaires and information packs were circulated over the course of the consultation.
These were distributed to existing service users and carers, day centres, voluntary and community sector
organisations, and other appropriate venues. In addition, the questionnaires were available to download
from the council website or could be completed online. In total 511 people responded to the survey.
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
Equalities
Category
Reason for this assessment
Gender
Assessment of
Potential Impact –
Positive AND
Negative
High, Medium,
Low, Nil
High Negative
Race
Nil - Low Negative
There is no disproportionate amount directly affected but
there are specific inequalities that could make BME service
users more vulnerable
Disability
High Negative
The change affects disabled people in society
disproportionately
Age
High Negative
The change affects elderly people in society
disproportionately, particularly women over the age of 75.
Sexual
orientation
Nil
There are no known impacts
Religion
and belief
Nil
There are no known impacts
Disproportionate amount of those affected are women.
The EIA concludes that the proposals to increase the charges for non-residential care and to increase
the charge for meals on wheels will have a high negative impact on women, those over the age of 75 and
those with a disability.
Full mitigation will not be possible and, if adopted, the proposals will have a negative impact on some
service users. However a number of measures have been proposed to minimise the impact. These
include:

Maintaining the Income Support buffer at 35% rather than the 25% minimum required by
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
21



government guidance. This allows clients to retain an extra 10% of their income.
Setting a minimum Disability Related Expenditure rate of £7.50 for April 2011 and increasing that
rate to £10.00 in April 2012.
Adopting a phased approach to the implementation of some changes. This would follow the full
implementation of personal budgets thus enabling users to purchase services directly from
providers.
Continue to ensure that all clients are receiving benefits to which they are entitled.
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action:
Robert Mellors, Finance Manager, 020 8314 6628
For full report contact:
Community Services Policy Team, 020 8314 8289
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
22
Name of Review:
Period of Review:
Date review signed off by DMT:
Scope of the review:
Front Office Re-Design
Autumn 2010 – March 2011
March 2011
The project to Redesign Access Point in Laurence House supports the Customer Service Strategy and
some decisions have been based on the high level design principals resulting from the Better Access
Workshop held with stakeholders and community groups in 2009.
The project is being led by Resources Programme Management and supported by the Customer
Services Transformation Programme. Ultimately the aim is that all customer facing buildings provide a
consistent look and feel to ensure that the customer can identify that it is a Lewisham building and that
the same level of service can be expected.
This is one area of a wider project which has already included Eros House supported by Worksmart and
Downham Health and Leisure Centre and will over the coming months include Deptford Lounge in
association with Tidemill School.
Review team: Matt Spencer, Lew McKenzie, Louise Hagan, Dawn Bayley, Lindsey Grant,
Relevant data and research:
Customer Services are focused on improving the client experience streamlining the delivery of services
to the public to make it easier for the public to access the services that they need.
AccessPoint offer services to wide cross section of the community and by nature offers these services to
all without prejudice.
There were in total 10 144,866 customers who visited our AccessPoint in 2009
31565 were for Housing Benefit Enquiries
15641 were for Revenues enquiries (Council Tax)
5614 were for education enquiries
2359 were for Freedom Pass or Blue Badge enquiries
2038 were for our Deaf service
3237 were for Nationality Checking Service
The remaining customers were seen for general enquiries or came in to hand in information
Laurence House
This will address the refurbishment of the AccessPoint which is located on the ground floor of Laurence
House and is the central focus for customer services in Lewisham. The existing facility was originally
refurbished 10 years ago and no longer accommodates customer services needs effectively. The new
build will incorporate space for 22 Booths, a room for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing services, a room for
occupational therapy/concessionary services appointments, a bookable private meeting room, a soft
meeting area and a large professional business centre to incorporate Planning, Licensing and Building
Control Services. One of the Project aims is that the whole area is “future proof” to allow further services
to utilise the space effectively.
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
23
Name of Review:
Front Office Re-Design
As part of a the Better Access consultation exercise carried out during 2009, participants were asked to
comment on changes to AccessPoint using a number of design principles on look and feel, lay out, use
of space, signage, colour, lighting, booths and meeting rooms, self-serve areas and information. The
results of this consultation was incorporated into the new plans for AccessPoint shown above.
However, this also meant that services within AccessPoint had to be re-located during the refurbishment
and then returned to AccessPoint once the redesign had been completed.
Consultation:
Consultation was undertaken with the service areas that are run from AccessPoint, service users and
staff. This consultation looked at the way services were currently undertaken, what would have to
change during the decant period and what lessons could be learnt from moving the services ot another
location to shape the future service delivery model once services returned to AccessPoint.
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
24
Name of Review:
Front Office Re-Design
Services with specific
decant requirements
NCS
Housing
Benefit
Requirements
Requirements
2 – 3 desks
PC’s and associated equip
MFD
Storage
Payment facility
External Telephone lines
Security
10 – 13 desks
1 HB staff member on
reception
Pc’s and associated equip
MFD
External Telephone lines
Security
Agreed
2 – 3 desks (dependent on
space restrictions and
ports )
PC’s and associated equip
MFD available
Storage (shared with
citizenship staff)
Security
Agreed
7 – 10 desks at LH
(dependent on space
restrictions)
Associated equip for laptops
(staff will bring Laptops)
MFD available
1 F & E position at LH
3 Desks at Downham
Security
TBC
How many phone lines
Payment facility
(Cashiers?)
1) A/P Deaf
Service
2) Deaf &Hard of
Hearing social
care team
3) Walking stick
clinic
Requirements
2 desks (privacy)
PC’s and associated equip
MFD
Space for a small file
cabinet
External Telephone lines
Minicom
Fax
Hearing Loop
Security
1 desk
PC and associated equip
External Telephone line
Space to do a walking
Assessment
Security
Agreed
1 desk shared
PC’s and associated equip
MFD available
File cabinets to be moved
Fax and Minicom to be
moved
Security
1 Desk
PC’s and associated equip
MFD available
Security
Seating area set away for
walking assessment
TBC
How many phone lines
How many phone lines
DEP for Hearing Loop
required
Civic Suite Rooms 1 &
2
&
Downham AccessPoint
Requirements
Agreed
TBC
Decant to:
Concessionary
awards
TBC
All actions cleared
Decant to:
Decant to:
Town Hall Room 10
Town Hall Room 9
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
25
Name of Review:
Front Office Re-Design
F & E only Services will
Decant Like for Like and
will be described as
ServicePoint
Services who have no
decant requirements as no
longer offered via
AccessPoint
Services who have no
decant requirements as
Moving to telephone only
or being offered at their
parent site only
CSU
Education
Housing Register
Blue Badge App
Freedom Pass App
DWP
Opening Doors
Council Tax
Skips, Scaffold &
Hoarding licences
Parking Permits
Agreed:
F & E area
MFD
Security
Waiting Area
Post boxes
No Decant requirement
Decant to:
Civic Suite 1 & 2
&
Downham AccessPoint
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
Services that will not be changing other than location for the decant period:
o
o
o
Free School Meals/clothing grants (FSM)– the face -2- face service take evidence and check
systems to advise on eligibility of families for free school meals and clothing grants.
Concessionary Services (CS) – This service Via (OT’s)assess customers who are applying for
freedom passes and blue badges, this can involve observing the customer while walking.
Walking stick Clinic (WSC) – This is a surgery once a week where customers can come in and
be assessed for a new walking stick or collect spares for an existing walking stick, this can
involve measurement of the customer.
Service changing to appointment only:
o
Housing Benefit - the face-2-face service is a complete service and offers all areas of Housing
Benefit inclusive of:
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
26
Name of Review:
o New claims
o Change of Circumstances
o Payment enquiries
o Self employed claims
Front Office Re-Design
The face-2-face staff strive to resolve any enquiry fully, Housing Benefit staff are cross trained to deal
with face-2-face and written correspondence and rotate across these 2 areas.
Service that will require alternative payment method as cash currently taken on front line:
Nationality Checking Service – This is a face-2-face service and consists of an interview with a non
national wishing to become a British citizen, the interview consists of both questioning and checking of
documentation taking payment for this service, this includes cash, cheques and Debit card payments
with all associated cash handling procedures. Completed application forms are then forwarded to the
Home office for processing.
Services that will become Telephone only during the decant period:
o
Council Tax – (CT) the face-2-face service is a complete service and offers all areas of council tax
from registration to closure of accounts inclusive of:
o Payment enquiries
o Change of circumstances
o Discount, disregard and exemption enquiries
o Enforcement enquiries
o Bailiff enquiries
o Houses of multiple occupancy enquiries
The face-2-face staff strive to resolve any enquiry fully, Council Tax staff are cross trained to deal with
face-2-face, telephone and written correspondence and rotate across these 3 areas.
o
Skips and Scaffolds (SS) – The face-2-face service take cash, cheque or Debit card payments with
all associated cash handling procedures, for Skip and Scaffold licences for the placement of skips
and scaffolds on the public highway within the borough.
Service that will be run only from their primary site during the Decant period:
Parking Permits (Visitor) – The face -2- face service check identity and eligibility before taking payment
for visitor parking permits this includes cash, cheques and Debit card payments with all associated cash
handling procedures. The Primary location for this is Rennell Street, AccessPoint offer this service as an
alternative location to purchase Parking Permits.
Services where there will be fundamental changes to the way in which the service is offered
during the Decant period:
o
o
Deaf Service (ServicePoint)
Deaf Service (Deaf and Hard of Hearing Team)
A Communications Plan was developed once the EIA was completed to look at specific issues that
needed to be addressed as a result of the re-design of AccessPoint.
- Articles were placed in Lewisham Life
- A Poster Campaign was developed and information displayed in all offices
- Specific work was undertaken with service to ensure the smooth transition for customer moving form
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
27
Name of Review:
Front Office Re-Design
one location ot another e.g. the Deaf Service
- Briefing session were done with back office staff in order for them to understand the changes and be
able to provide the correct information for customers
- Service such as Housing Benefits moved ot appointment only
- Arrangements were made for Customers who are vulnerable/ housebound to be visited at home by a
Benefits Assessor.
- Hearing Impaired Housing Benefit Customers could request the support of the Access Point Deaf
Service to accompany them to Benefit interviews.
- Portable hearing loops were purchased
- Services such as Council Tax moved ot telephone service only
- Courtesy telephones were made available for customers wishing ot make calls to staff in other
locations
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action:
Dawn Bayley, Policy & Strategy Manager, Customer Services
For full report contact: Dawn Bayley, Policy & Strategy Manager, Customer Services
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
28
Name of Review:
Equality Impact Assessment on the Sustainable
Resources Group’s work on Fuel Poverty
2010/11
26 May 2011
Period of Review:
Date review signed off by DMT:
Scope of the review:
The Sustainable Resources Group is responsible for developing corporate strategy on energy, climate
change and fuel poverty.
It is expected that demand for energy efficiency advice and support will increase as a result of the impact
of the economic downturn, escalating fuel prices and an ageing population. Changes in national fuel
poverty related grants are expected to reduce the available sources of funding, to focus on more tightly
restricted ‘priority groups’. In addition the squeeze on public sector finances and a reduction in the nature
and scope of services locally and nationally is likely to mean greater numbers of people at risk of being
affected by fuel poverty. In response, the Sustainable Resources Group are implementing changes to the
way they deliver services, and in particular re-focussing the work of Lewisham’s Energy Action Zone
(EAZ) to include a wider range of activity.
Background:
A household is said to be in fuel poverty if it needs to spend more than 10 per cent of its income on fuel
to heat their home. Recent evidence suggests that the numbers of people affected by fuel poverty is
increasing. There are a range of factors influencing this, often these are inter-related and include:
 Low income.
 The price of fuel (or the inability to access cheaper fuel).
 Energy inefficient properties (due to lack of insulation, inefficient heating
systems, draughts and poor condition of the building).
 The size of the property and under occupancy.
 Having a lack of heating, (because it has been cut off through debt, or is in a state of disrepair
through landlord inaction).
Fuel poverty can have serious implications on the health and well-being of vulnerable groups such as; households on low incomes
 older people
 children and young people
 single parent families
 disabled people and people who are frail, chronically ill or have long term health issues.
Many homes in Lewisham are classified as hard-to-treat and cannot take advantage of regular energy
efficiency measures because they have solid walls, or there is no opportunity for loft insulation and/or
homes are in the private rented sector. There are 2,500 owner occupiers who cannot afford to undertake
urgent identified repairs to their homes and a further 19,000 households in private rented
accommodation where the landlord is unlikely to repair the property.
Lewisham has a comparatively young population, however a high proportion of residents aged 16 to 64
years (14.5 per cent) describe themselves as having some form of impairment or disability. By 2020 the
number of older people in Lewisham will increase by 10,000. 17.8 per cent of all households are lone
parent families by far the highest rate in London – who often face financial pressures and for whom fuel
bills are one of the largest elements of household expenditure.
The Sustainable Resources Group provides free and independent advice for residents on how to cut the
cost of energy and improve the efficiency of their home. Dedicated energy advisers within the team offer
residents a range of advice including:
 Helping residents access funding for insulation and heating improvements.
 Practical information on how to reduce energy consumption in the home.
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
29



Guidance for people worried about energy bills, including the sources of help for people in debt
and how to take advantage of the lowest energy tariffs.
Advice on whether residents may be entitled to benefits.
Referrals to other council services and other sources of help.
One of the main ways in which these services have been targeted towards residents at risk of fuel
poverty is through Lewisham’s Energy Action Zone (EAZ). The EAZ was set up in 2007 with a team of
three officers promoting energy related issues to residents via face to face communication, mostly
undertaken on a door to door basis. Since it started, the project has covered 11 wards delivering the
service to 9,510 households and securing funding for 750 energy efficiency improvements - mainly loft
and cavity wall insulation - for vulnerable residents.
Up until 2010/11 the Energy Action Zone worked on the basis of door-knocking in three wards every
year. This activity was reinforced by general advice in publications such as Lewisham Life and
attendance at relevant events across the borough. However, a ward-by-ward approach has its limitations
if the aim is to target the most vulnerable residents. Having completed 11 out of 18 wards the remaining
areas will have lower concentrations of households at risk of fuel poverty. In addition, many of the areas
already visited will have seen a high turnover of residents moving in and out of properties.
The Sustainable Resources Group is therefore seeking to change its approach to fuel poverty work to refocus available resources on the most vulnerable, and respond to the changing nature of those affected
by fuel poverty and national policies and programmes. Their proposed approach involves:
1. Closer engagement with community and voluntary organisations, particularly ‘umbrella’
organisations and larger borough-wide groups. Seek to work in partnership with these
organisations to identify and communicate with vulnerable residents who can benefit from funding
and advice offered by the service. In 2010/11 the Sustainable Resources Group developed a
new partnership with Carers Lewisham helping over 200 of their service users access funding
and other sources of help.
2. Developing a collaborative approach across frontline staff in public and community sector
organisations, ensuring they know about the sources of help that exist and are able to connect
residents to our services. In 2010/11 the Sustainable Resources Group delivered a fuel poverty
seminar with National Energy Action (the NEA) involving 35 staff from across 15 local
organisations.
3. Improving data used by the team, including mapping information using income and housing
condition data to enable us to target more effectively the locations in the borough where residents
may benefit from our service.
4. Engaging with smaller voluntary and community groups including over 50’s groups, mother and
toddler groups and faith organisations in the borough to find new ways of providing face-to-face
information for target audiences.
5. Identifying new opportunities for participating in local community events and other opportunities
for providing advice such as drop in sessions in libraries and job centres.
6. Developing and implementing a new project in partnership with South London and Maudsley NHS
Trust and University Hospital Lewisham to target residents with long-term health problems and
help them access support.
7. Working with Lewisham Homes to help them develop and implement their Affordable Warmth
Strategy.
Review team: Sue Cole – Energy Action Zone Manager
Cathy Rooney – Policy and Performance Manager, Resources Directorate
Martin O’Brien – Sustainable Resources Group Manager
Relevant data, research and consultation
The Review Team drew on a range of evidence to support their work which included; Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics 2010 from the Department of Energy and Climate
Change (DECC)
 Excess winter death figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and excess winter
mortality information from National Energy Action
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
30
 ONS forecast of population for Lewisham as at July 2010
 Lewisham Private Sector Housing Strategy 2009-14
 The Government’s Spending Review 2010
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions
There are two separate changes covered within this Impact Assessment:
1. Wider impacts with the potential to increase demand for services to tackle fuel poverty, and
changes in national grants that may restrict access; and
2. Changes in the way the Sustainable Resources Group seeks to engage with and help potentially
vulnerable groups across Lewisham.
The service users/residents likely to be most affected by the changes expected to national policies and
programmes, are those that fall just short of income-based qualification criteria for help. Groups most
likely to be affected by fuel poverty and therefore the main target of the work of the Sustainable
Resources Group in this area include; low-income families, especially those with young children
 tenants of private landlords
 tenants in social housing
 residents with long-term health problems
 older residents, particularly over 65's and over 70’s
 people living alone or at risk of being isolated.
Theme 1: Reaching fuel-poor households
Actions
 Maintain and develop links with front-line service workers across the borough, and in 2011/12
hold a follow-up fuel poverty event involving 30 public and community sector workers in the
borough.
 Implement an evidence-based approach to targeting door-knocking activity, using deprivation and
housing condition data to identify priority areas. In 2011/12 identify and deliver direct engagement
work with residents in up to eight local super output areas.
 In 2011/12 develop and deliver a new initiative in partnership with South London and Maudsley
NHS Trust and University Hospital Lewisham to provide additional assistance on fuel poverty to
residents with long-term health conditions.
Theme 2: Developing effective community participation and partnerships
Actions
 Maintain and develop links with community and voluntary groups across the borough, and in
2011/12 run a new project (similar to that with Carers Lewisham in 2010/11) with a local third
sector umbrella group.
 Work with Voluntary Action Lewisham to further develop referral mechanisms and networks.
Theme 3: Measures, interventions and funding sources
Actions
 Monitor and report on the success of project delivery by collecting data on the success of
contacting different equalities groups and use this to report progress of service delivery to
managers.
 Target fuel poverty specific and relevant grants, trusts and other sources of funding to help
expand the offer locally to residents vulnerable to fuel poverty.
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action
Martin O’Brien
Tel: 020 8314 46605
Email: martin.obrien@lewisham.gov.uk
For full report contact: As above.
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
31
Name of Review:
Period of Review:
Date review signed off by DMT:
Scope of the review:
Lewisham Arts Service: Proposed Budget
Changes Equalities Impact Assessment
2010/11
February 2011
The Arts Service in Lewisham is a non-statutory service, meaning that it is not part of any ring-fenced
grant from central government. Arts are at the heart of Lewisham. The Borough is in the top five London
boroughs for creative industry growth, with 2000 jobs created since 2005, including filmmakers,
designers and musicians.
Lewisham Arts Service provides funding, advice, networking events and marketing to support the
borough's thriving creative sector. Lewisham supports engagement and participation in arts activities for
every age and ability.
This document looks at the specific changes being proposed to the way in which the Arts are funded in
Lewisham, through specific streams. This document looks at the following things.
1. Could the proposed changes to this service and the way it is delivered affect some groups in
society differently?
2. Will the proposed changes disproportionally affect some groups more than others?
3. Will the proposed revisions to the service and the way it is delivered promote equal opportunities?
Review team:
Carmel Langstaff, Arts Manager
Dominic Ball, Senior Performance Management Officer
Relevant data and research:
NI 011 Engagement in the Arts This is completed as a survey of local residents who are asked
whether they have either attended an arts event or participated in arts activity at least three times in the
past 12 months. All arts activities and events are included, not just those funded by local authorities
against this definition the percentage of Lewisham residents engaging with the Arts from 51.45 in 2008/9
to 52.90 in 2009/10.
CSIT The Cultural Services Improvement Toolkit was developed as a system of peer challenge and
improvement framework. Lewisham was one of the first four boroughs to undertake this evaluation of the
service in London. Lewisham was paired up with Lambeth to carry out the peer review.
Grants Monitoring data For Small Grants, One Lewisham Fund, Black history Month and the Take Part
fund, data is held from the application process and monitoring processes. Data is collected on Type of
grant, amount and art form, other funding sources and purpose of the grant. In addition to this data is
routinely collected on age, ethnicity and gender. Data is not currently collected from grant funded
organisations on disability, sexual orientation and belief.
Statistics and numerical data The Arts Service is working with Audiences London to improve the
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
32
quality and availability of data relating to engagement in the arts. Information from regularly funded
venues and organisations has been collected for the past three years. This data will be analysed to
identify household penetration and mosaic profiles of audiences. In a pilot event for London, Audiences
London presented this information to the sector at an event in May 2009. This event will be developed in
May 2010 with a second workshop exploring the data and approaches to audience development locally.
Consultation:
A consultation event with groups who had been in receipt of grants from these funding streams was held
on 13th October 2010. Key messages from this consultation comprised:





Information about the money that the council has ring-fenced should be more widely available.
Lewisham arts Service should lead on helping organizations access alternative funding.
Information about Black History Month (brochure or website) is vital to getting engagement. A
single source to promote events.
Lists of available funds should be published with qualification criteria
Building based organisations could be more involved in facilitating discussions and promoting
space and facilities for future events
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
Equalities
Category
Gender
(men, women
and
transgendere
d people)
Race
(different
ethnic
groups)
Assessment of
Potential Impact –
Positive AND Negative
High, Medium, Low,
Nil
Low impact
Low Impact
Reason for this
assessment
Women make up a larger
percentage of the attendees
to the type of event
supported through these
funds, but number engaging
are not high
The reduction of funding for
black history month will
directly affect the number of
organisations delivering
short or one-off events.
The overall impact of the
reduction of arts Service
spend is proportional with
the budget reductions that
are being planned
Actions – to promote
positive impact and
reduce negative impact
The Arts Service plans to
undertake the following
action:
 Provide advice and
support in relation to
securing grants from
other sources
 Provide advice and
support in relation to
working collaboratively
e.g. identifying partners,
support for consortium
bids
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
33
Disability
(Disabled and
Deaf people)
Age
(Older and
younger
people)
Sexual
orientation
(Lesbians and
gay men)
Religion and
beliefs
(people of a
certain faith
or belief)
Low impact
Low impact
Low impact
Low impact
The funding streams that
are being reduced did not
support specific work with
Disability groups
Although such groups have
been actively encouraged to
apply to address the
disproportionately low
funding for older people’s
arts in the main grants
programme, few
applications have been
made.
The funding streams that
are being reduced did not
support specific work with
LGBT groups
The funding streams that
are being reduced did not
support specific work with
Faith groups
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action:
Carmel Langstaff, Arts Manager, 020 8314 7729
For full report contact:
Community Services Policy Team, 020 8314 8289
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
34
Name of Review:
Lewisham Town Centre Area Action Plan Further
Options Report
Period of Review:
2011
Date review signed off by DMT:
September 2011
Scope of the review: Lewisham Council are preparing an AAP for Lewisham Town Centre to ensure
the forecast growth for the centre is managed and delivered. The vision for the town centre provided by
the Core Strategy aims to ensure that by 2026 the town centre achieves Metropolitan status,
accommodates up to 40,000 square meters of additional retail space, 4,300sqm of additional leisure
space and 2,500 additional homes. The AAP is the implementation and delivery plan for the changes
that will occur in the town centre during this period. In particular, it will provide a detailed planning and
implementation strategy for major opportunity sites within the town centre and the associated
infrastructure required to support such development. The EqIA provides an assessment of each of the
options and proposed policies at each stage of the production of the AAP.
Review team: Matthew Pullen, supported by Lesley Lee
Relevant data and research: Baseline demographic information covering gender, BME communities,
disability; age; sexual orientation and religion and belief
Consultation: There have been public consultations on the AAP at the Issues and Options stage, the
Preferred Options stage and the Further Options stage. There will also be a further round of public
consultation when the draft plan (the Pre-submission plan) is completed. The Planning Service has a
comprehensive database of equality groups who were directly informed by post of the AAP, including
representatives of all the target groups identified in this EqIA. For each round of consultation the report
has been sent to a number of key equality groups and where appropriate further meeting s have been
arranged with particular groups to discuss any specific equality, community or other matters required.
The AAP further options report was made available for public consultation in April / May 2011 and
followed the consultation methods and principles highlighted in the previous paragraphs. As part of this
consultation process, a number of meetings were organised with various equalities groups including, the
Lewisham Pensioners Action Group, the Young Mayor and his advisors and Lewisham Council Staff
Forums (involving BME, Women, LGBT Forums and Young and Older Workers Groups). Invites for
further discussion were sent to a number of other faith and culturally diverse groups, but no response
was received.
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
It has been seen that a number of preferred options will have a positive impact upon equalities groups
when they are delivered. The planned development will bring a number of improvements to the town
centre, including enhanced accessibility, greater employment opportunities, better housing choice and
design lead safety schemes.
Three potentially negative policy impacts have been identified, relating to residential access and parking
and development in Flood Zone 3a. It has not been deemed necessary to remove any of the preferred
options and not take them forward to the AAP draft plan. Alternatively, a number of mitigatory measures
have been suggested by the EqIA to protect the target groups.
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action: Matthew Pullen Planning
Policy Officer 020 8314 6235
For full report contact: Matthew Pullen
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
35
Name of Review:
Period of Review:
Date review signed off by DMT:
Letting of 31/32 Winslade Way
2011
Not applicable – fed into Mayor and Cabinet
decision
Scope of the review: To assess the equalities implications of the decision to convert Catford Mews into
a single large retail unit for letting to contribute to bringing Catford Regeneration Partnership Ltd into
profit within next two years.
Review team: Eleanor Hoyle supported by Andy Kitching and Lesley Lee
Relevant data and research: Schedule of licensees held by centre managing agent on behalf of CRPL;
London wide statistics on equalities groups in the business community and colloquial evidence from the
centre manager who has overseen Mews management for around 20 years.
Consultation: The proposed letting is commercially sensitive and therefore the negotiations were kept
confidential . The following confidential communication and consultation has been carried out:
CRPL directors – informed of all details of negotiations in order to make a commercial decision on
viability of letting.
Centre manager – consulted on strategy for gaining vacant possession, to ensure this can be achieved in
a fair and manageable fashion
Elected members – the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and local ward councillors were sent a confidential written
briefing explaining the reasons for the negotiations and stating that CRPL would take actions to mitigate
the impact on current occupants where possible.
Mews licensees were not able to be made aware of the ongoing negotiations due to the commercial
sensitivities of the negotiations and the possible detrimental impacts on the Mews should licensees have
chosen to leave without CRPL having a viable alternative. They were informed of the seeking of
possession via a formal letter and notice to quit at the outset of the vacant possession process and were
able to discuss their individual cases with the onsite centre manager, who then referred cases to the
centre management agent and the CRPL management team as appropriate.
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
This assessment showed that there are some potentially negative impacts resulting from the letting of
31/32 Winslade Way as a single unit, but that there are actions that can be taken to mitigate these
impacts, including ensuring that occupants and consumers are well informed and aware of the options
available to them. The requirement under statutes relating to gender, race and disability is to have regard
to the need to eliminate discrimination and promote equality of opportunity. It is not a requirement to
eliminate discrimination or promote equality. The duties are “have regard duties”, and the weight to be
attached to them is a matter for the Council bearing in mind the issues of relevance and proportionality. It
is an option available, provided serious consideration is given to the duties imposed upon them by the
equalities legislation and the Council’s Equality Scheme, to take the view that the requirement to make a
commercially beneficial decision, requires the action proposed to be taken.
In addition to specific equalities legislation, at least 11 Articles of the European Convention on Human
Rights also have implication for the provision of public services and functions and must therefore be
considered by local authorities. In this case an assessment has been made that the most relevant
articles are 14, Prohibition of Discrimination, and first protocol, article 1, Peaceful Enjoyment of Property.
In order to ensure that these rights are not breached, CRPL is using the same legal process for the
possession of all units in the Mews.
Taking into account the possible equalities implications and the need to ensure the commercial viability
of the Catford Centre as discussed above, it is considered that the wider benefits outweigh the potential
negative impacts in this case.
Traders were offered individual business advice and support to find alternative premises, which some of
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
36
them took up including making offers of tenancies in the main centre's vacant units and providing
landlord’s references. The company offered free packing and storage facilities to traders.
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action: Eleanor Hoyle , 020
8314 9462
For full report contact: Eleanor Hoyle
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
37
Name of Review:
Period of Review:
Date review signed off by DMT:
Scope of the review:
Library and Information Service
2010/11
February 2011
In July 2010, the Mayor considered a number of proposals to save money and reduce public
sector spending. Included in the proposals presented to the Mayor was one to restructure the
Library and Information Service. A new structure has been proposed that will continue to deliver
the Council’s Library and Information services following the closure of five library buildings:
Blackheath; Crofton Park; Grove Park; New Cross; and Sydenham. The Mayor instructed
officers to develop options and to undertake the necessary consultation in relation to this
proposal.
The overall aim of this EIA is to consider how libraries are used in Lewisham and who uses
them. It draws upon a range of consultation and statistical information to assess what effect the
proposal to restructure the Library and Information Service will have on the borough and its
citizens.
The EIA provides the answers to the following questions:
1. Could the proposed changes to this service and the way it is delivered affect some groups in
society differently?
2. Will the proposed changes disproportionally affect some groups more than others?
3. Will the proposed revisions to the service and the way it is delivered promote equal
opportunities?
Review team:
A team of officers developed this EIA and considered these implications. These officers
included:
Antonio Rizzo Library and Information Service Manager, Community Services Directorate
Julie Hall Information & Heritage Manager, Community Services Directorate
Alan Morrison Service Development Librarian, Community Services Directorate
Cathy Myers Project Officer, Community Services Directorate
Joanne Moulton Children and Young Person’s Librarian, Community Services Directorate
Joan Redding Service Development Librarian, Community Services Directorate
Ed Knowles Service Manager - Strategy, Community Services Directorate
Paul Creech Policy Officer, Community Services Directorate
Alan Shade Performance Officer, Community Services Directorate
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
38
Relevant data and research:
The assessments contained in this EIA are based upon both qualitative and quantitative
information as to how the Library and Information service is used in Lewisham. By drawing upon
a range of statistical and consultation information, the Council is well-placed to assess how the
budget savings proposal might affect specific groups in the community.
The sources of information that inform this EIA include:









Active borrowers
Public Library Users Survey (PLUS)
Library visits, books issued and ICT use
Children & Young People
Home Library Service (HLS)
Lewisham Residents’ Survey
Active People Survey
Census
Service user profiling
Consultation:
In addition to drawing on previous consultations such as the Mayor’s Commission on Libraries
and Learning, public consultations took place with members of the community whose libraries
were highlighted for potential closure. The consultation took a number of forms in order to reach
as many members of the community and library users as possible.
Meetings were organised for each of the libraries, online discussion forums were established
and library services were also one of the topics considered as part of the ‘Our Lewisham, Our
Say’ consultation on council expenditure.
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
The overall assessment of this EIA is that the saving proposal will have an adverse impact
across equality groups but will not lead to unlawful discrimination. A full and robust EIA has
been conducted which has had due regard to legal requirements and has involved local
residents and service users in considering the potential impact on the local area.
The EIA recognises that the closure of a library facility may make it more difficult for current
users to access library services locally. As such the overall impact of the proposed closure has
been assessed as having a negative impact across all categories. However, the proposal to
close these library facilities does not lead to unlawful discrimination and no ‘negative – high’
impact has been identified, since the closure will not actively discriminate against or have a
disproportionate impact on any single equality category.
Mitigation
Full mitigation will not be possible and the proposals will have a negative impact across the
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
39
borough. However, in the event of a decision being taken to close the library facilities, a number
of actions will be taken to reduce impacts where possible. These include:
• Information for current library users as to alternative provision and how to access it
• Increased number of outreach library facilities, including small collections and book drops
• Increased outreach visits bringing storytelling and other activities to schools and
community centres
By retaining the longer opening hours at the seven other libraries, the Council will continue to
provide a comprehensive, effective and high quality service, well-placed to continue to its good
work in promoting equalities and community cohesion. Activity is underway to improve residents’
access to library services across the capital. From April 2011, Lewisham residents will have a
library card that enables them to borrow a book in over 100 libraries across London, access any
library service, such as public access computers, for free in 13 London Boroughs and request
books from 16 different London library services.
The remodelling of the service includes a commitment to maintaining and developing some
library services in the areas affected by the closure of the five buildings. The Library and
Information Service has been working with potential partners to develop some community based
provision that will be sustainable. It is the Council’s intention to develop up to eight community
libraries using different delivery and partnership models and working closely with community
organisations and local social enterprises.
The service will support the network of community based provision by providing up-to-date
stock, delivering professional input on the quality of the stock, organising activities and book
promotions. It is intended that many elements of the library’s successful outreach and equality
activity, can be maintained. Where staff capacity allows, an extension of Home Library Service
provision to include more vulnerable users will be considered. Under the current and proposed
staff structure, the Home Library Service is operating at capacity. Therefore, taking on additional
service users may generate a waiting list.
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action:
Antonio Rizzo Library and Information Service Manager, Community Services Directorate 020
8314 8025
For full report contact:
Community Services – Strategy and Policy team 020 8314 8289
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
40
Name of Review:
Period of Review:
Date review signed off by DMT:
Scope of the review:
Main Grants Programme
2011/12
June 2011
The Council has a long standing grant aid programme which is designed to strengthen the
effectiveness of the voluntary sector. The sector provides services that the statutory sector
cannot easily provide and is often best placed to reach out to those residents in the community
who have been traditionally excluded from mainstream services.
This document is the Equalities Impact Assessment of the proposed recommendations of the
Grants Programme 2011-2014. It considers how the recommendations made as part of the
application process might affect different groups in society differently and assesses whether
these effects are positive or negative. It also outlines the activity that the Council will take to
ensure that equal opportunities are promoted and that no group is disproportionately
discriminated against.
The EIA provides the answers to the following questions:
1. Could the proposed changes affect some groups in society differently?
2. Will the proposed changes disproportionately affect some groups more than others?
3. Will the proposed revisions promote equal opportunities?
Review team:
A team of officers developed this EIA and considered these implications.
included:
These officers
Liz Dart
Head of Community and Neighbourhood Development
Sandra Jones
Community Sector Unit Service Manager
Andy Thomas
Stronger Communities Project Manager
Carmel Langstaff
Arts Service Manager
Joan Roach
Community Sector Officer
Edward Knowles
Service Manager - Strategy, Community Services Directorate
Paul Creech
Policy Officer
Relevant data and research:
Client data collected via monitoring forms was used to inform this EIA.
Consultation:
No consultation has taken place as part of this EIA.
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
The overall assessment of this EIA is that recommending these organisations for funding
provides support for organisations who meet the needs of groups with protected characteristics
and organisations with inclusive remits. The recommendations will not have a disproportional
impact on equality groups relating to protected characteristics.
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
41
The equalities profile of those organisations who were not recommended for funding broadly
match that of those that were recommended for funding and therefore no protected
characteristic appears to be disproportionately affected.
This assessment also concludes that these recommendations do not contravene the councils
duties under the human right act.
Actions to ensure a fair grants programme
In order to ensure a competitive and open application process for the Main Grant Programme,
the Community Sector Unit is recommending organisations who have not been put forward for
funding this year receive additional support in the preparation of applications. Additional
equalities training, updated in light of the Equality Act 2010, is being developed for organisations
seeking future funding from the Main Grants Programme. This will ensure a better
understanding on equalities duties on the part of organisations seeking funding and will lead to
better recording of information on the impact of services on different protected characteristics.
In addition to the Main Grants Programme the council operates two other open grants
programmes, small grants and faith in Lewisham fund. Some organisations that have not been
recommended for funding through main grants may be more suited to these programmes.
In establishing new priorities for the main grants fund it was agreed to set aside a proportion of
the budget to create an investment fund. This is to support organisations to play a greater role
in some areas of public service delivery that are changing rapidly or where the council is likely to
play a less direct service provider role. The fund will enable organisations to test new
approaches and innovate in key priority areas as well as supporting organisations through
transitions. The funding will be one off rather than ongoing revenue funding.
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action:
Sandra Jones, Community Sector Unit Service Manager 020 8314 6579.
For full report contact:
Community Services Policy Team, 020 8314 8289
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
42
Name of Review:
Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET)
Reduction
February 2011
February 2011
Period of Review:
Date review signed off by DMT:
Scope of the review:
Proposal to re-focus resources for Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) for young people in the light
of Government changes to grant funding for Connexions services from April 2011 and its intention to
establish an all-age careers service by April 2012, for implementation in September 2012.
(1) Implement a strategy from April 2011 to ensure that resources available to the Local Authority from
the Early Intervention Grant (EIG) for IAG and related support for young people are focused solely on
continuing to reduce the number of young people who are NEET (not in Education, Employment or
Training)
(2) Ensure that the strategy supports the needs of the most vulnerable young people, including the
following groups:
- young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities in post-16 transition
- post-16 progression for looked after children and children leaving care
- young offenders
- teenage parents
- young carers
- young people not in school
It is being proposed that the “hub and spoke” model that is currently used in delivering Youth support
services is further developed to deliver the new Integrated Youth Support Service (IYSS) within which
the NEET reduction service will be situated.
Within each hub there will be multi-disciplinary teams who will provide:
 Generic and targeted youth work
 Support targeted to specific groups of NEET and those who are vulnerable to becoming NEET
 Substance misuse support
 Midwifery support
Review team:
Chris Threlfall (HoS – Education Development)
Robert Hodges (Policy Officer)
Relevant data and research:
Government grant of £2,787,305 that currently funds Connexions ends on 31.03.11, future funds rolled
into EIG.
Grant currently funds supplementary support to schools, and provides targeted IAG for young people
who are NEET, or in danger of becoming NEET, and for learners aged 19-25 with Learning difficulties or
disabilities.
Lewisham has a three year contract (ending on 31.3.2011) worth £1,579,542 for Babcock PLC to deliver
IAG.
It is being proposed that the new service will expand upon the use of strategies which have already
proven to be effective:
 Mayor’s NEET Trainee programme. This is a successful intensive eight week programme which
includes volunteering; presentation and interview skills training; an outward bound course;
personal development skills training.
 Hi 5. This project works with 14-19 years olds and delivers employability and life skills training
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
43



and support
Work with Lewisham College and other post-16 providers: to enable those not who are NEET to
access education and training opportunities that start at different times throughout the year.
Apprenticeships: improve current provision of Apprenticeships on offer, and make NEET young
people aware of these as appropriate
Triage strategy: continue to invest in this strategy to divert young offenders committing petty
crime away from entering the CJS and supporting them into EET.
Pupil population
Male
Female
TOTAL
School Type
Nursery
PRU
Primary
Secondary
Academy
Special
Number (Spring 2010)
18942
18200
37142
Nonstatemented
Statemented
22
9
4859
2841
802
105
0
15
272
271
84
494
Nonstatemented
%
10
5.7
22
27.3
21.2
17.5
NEET Interventions January 2010 – December 2010
Client
Client &
Main Destination
Only
Parent
Letter
Interview
Interview
NEET
2424
158
3
Post 16 education
4897
228
15
Work & Training
597
21
Year 8
58
3
Year 9
419
89
Year 10
611
49
Year 11
3138
349
8
Grand Total
12144
897
26
Statemented
%
0
9.4
1.2
2.6
2.2
82.5
Telephone E-mail
Contact
contact
1017
973
248
40
63
7
4
7
212
2461
13
27
150
Grand
Total
%
3642
6176
873
61
512
680
3734
15678
23.2%
39.4%
5.6%
0.4%
3.3%
4.3%
23.8%
100.0%
About 29% of interventions were held with NEET young people in specific vulnerable groups
It is noticeable that a significantly higher number of young people with learning difficulties and / or
disabilities who are seen by the service are male (66%)
Consultation:
LB Lewisham wrote to all Lewisham secondary schools and colleges in January 2011 to inform them of
the proposals to amend the provision of careers education and guidance from April 2011. The letter
advised that the LA will in future focus its resources on the reduction of the number of young people in
the borough who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) and that it will no longer
supplement the statutory duty of schools to provide general programmes of careers education and
guidance.
LB Lewisham also informed schools, colleges and Babcock PLC of its intention not to renew or to re-let
the contract with Babcock for the provision of Information, Advice and Guidance services from April
2011.
No responses from schools have been received to date from the letter, and no schools or colleges have
indicated that they will be unable to meet their statutory duties in this area.
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
44
The local authority is planning to undertake a consultation with stakeholders on the proposals to
implement a new NEET reduction strategy and to report to the Mayor on the results.
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
Age:
- the proposals relate to services for young people and so will impact disproportionately on this age
group. However, this needs to be seen in context of the whole package of savings proposals being
considered by the Council where impact will apply across a whole range of groups.
Schools and colleges will deliver universal careers advice for those 12-18.
The LA will focus resources on targeted, vulnerable young people
Disability and Gender:
- it is recognised that a large proportion (60%) of young people in vulnerable groups who access
Connexions services have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and that of these, two thirds are male.
Any changes to the service will therefore need to take account of this gender imbalance. The LA is clear
that these young people are included in the priority list of vulnerable groups and will be a focus of the
NEET reduction strategy.
Race:
- the proposals relate to services to Lewisham’s population of young people which is ethnically diverse.
74% of Lewisham’s school population are from black and ethnic minority communities and over 170
different languages are spoken by our pupils. Impact of the proposals will therefore be felt by these
groups although no specific ethnic minority group will be disproportionately affected.
Religion:
No impact
Sexual Orientation:
No impact
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action:
Chris Threlfall (HoS – Education Development)
Issue
Equality
Recommendation / Action
category
Quality assurance of
Disability /
Ensure that best practice techniques, information and
IAG support
Age
systems are retained during the transition from the
external service provider to the local authority’s Integrated
Youth Support Service.
Support for young males Disability /
Retain focus to ensure sustained support for this group of
who have learning
Gender
young people, including those who are NEET or in post-16
difficulties and/or
transition.
disabilities
Support for young males Disability /
Establish effective systems to continue to monitor
who have learning
Gender
progress of this group of young people and work with
difficulties and/or
partners to review interventions if required.
disabilities
For full report contact:
Catherine Bunten
Catherine.bunten@lewisham.gov.uk
0208 314 6577
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
45
Name of Review:
Removing cash – phase 1
Period of Review:
Autumn 2010 – Summer 2011
Date review signed off by DMT:
March 2011
Scope of the review:
The removing cash and cheque project was sponsored by EMT in Autumn 2010 with the key objective of
delivering cash releasing efficiency savings by modernising the way in which the organisation manages
customer payments.
The project was divided into two phases. The first phase, delivered between Autumn 2010 and Summer
2011 concentrated on the modernisation of ‘payments in’ processes.
There were two key drivers for phase one of this project:


Cost and efficiency - The cost of processing cash and cheques is known to be
significantly higher than processing electronic payments (cash and cheques £5+, card
under £2)
Customer demand - Between 2007/8 and 2009/10 the number of people paying the
council by cash dropped by 30% and at the same time the number of people paying
by electronic methods grew by the same amount
The key objectives for the project were:


Assist with the delivery of £150k cash releasing efficiency savings via the closure of
the cashiers front counters
Modernise payment processes across the organisation by replacing cash and cheque
payment options with electronic alternatives.
Review team: Justine Roberts, Lindsey Grant, Dawn Bayley, Akweley Badger, Kevin Alcock and Adeola
Odeneye
Relevant data and research:
 Cashiers performance information showing trends in service usage and customer payment
preferences
 Consultation undertaken by the first review of the cashiering service in 2008 which identified the
customer base and reasons why the cashiers service was used
Consultation:
In order to examine the impact of the proposal on the equalities groups identified consultation was
undertaken with 240 customers via face to face surveys and focus groups with community groups and
advocates. These groups included:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Lewisham Disability Coalition (2008 and 2010)
Pensioners Action Group (2008)
Older Peoples Advisory Panel (2008) and Positive Ageing Board (2010)
Lewisham Talking Newspaper (2008 and 2010)
Carers Lewisham (2010)
170 Community Project (2010)
190 Centre (2010)
Lewisham Homes and Phoenix (2010)
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
46
Name of Review:
Removing cash – phase 1
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
The EIA identified that the groups most likely to adversely impacted by the closure of the cash hall were
older residents and those with disabilities. This assessment was made because:
 Slightly higher % of customers using the cashiers service with a disability than would be expected
based on census figures and 23% of the customers of the cashiers service are over the age of
75.
 Stronger reliance on cash and cheques for older people and the potential that electronic channels
could have accessibility issue for people with disabilities.
The EIA identified the following mitigating actions:
Maintaining the facility to pay by cash
For some customers, paying by cash or cheque is not a choice. We therefore identified the need to keep
a cash and cheque payment channel open. As part of the project we set up the facility for customers to
pay us by cash or cheque at 200 PayPoints and 20 Post Offices across the borough. This enabled us to
deliver efficiency savings whilst also expanding the number of locations where payments of this kind
could be taken.
Accessibility of alternative payment channels
We identified that one of the perceived issues with using PayPoints and Post Offices was the
accessibility of outlets. As part of the project we undertook accessibility audits of local PayPoints and
Post Offices and identified which outlets were accessible. This is publicised in a leaflet which was given
to all customers before and after the closure of cashiers.
Communication about the changes and transition planning
Our consultation identified the need to communicate widely about the change and alternatives ways to
pay. A 2 month communication campaign was developed which involved posters and leaflets being
displayed in key council and VCS buildings across the borough. We also made face to face support
available to customers on alternative ways to pay available for a month following the closure.
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action:
Justine Roberts, Transformation and Development Office, Customer Services
For full report contact: Justine Roberts, Transformation and Development Office, Customer Services
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
47
Name of Review:
Period of Review:
Date review signed off by DMT:
Scope of the review:
Reduction in Sport Support Funding to voluntary
sector organisations.
2010/11
October 2010
In July 2010, the Mayor considered a number of proposals to save money and reduce public sector
spending. Included in the proposals presented to the Mayor was a £20k reduction in funding support to
voluntary sports sector.
However, two new opportunities have been developed using both remaining funding from the council
budget for support and also levering in new external funding. One is the new Sport small grants
scheme which will enable sports clubs to apply for up to three strands of funding tailored to the needs
of sports clubs today. Additionally, a commissioning process is being developed to enable the sport
and leisure service to fairly commission out work for sport and physical activity programmes to our
sports clubs and other organisations.
The EIA considers the potential impact of changing the grant allocation criteria as outlined in the above
section on all Lewisham sports clubs and residents.
Review team:
Annette Stead, Head of Sport and Active Recreation
Sadie King, Policy Officer, Community Services
Relevant data and research:
This EIA is informed by:
•
Sport England Active People Survey 3 2009 - The Active People Survey is the largest ever
survey of sport and active recreation to be undertaken in Europe. This is a telephone survey
that in 2005 sampled 363,724 adults in England (aged 16 plus) and is unique in providing
reliable statistics on participation in sport and active recreation for all 354 Local Authorities in
England (a minimum of 1,000 interviews were completed in every Local Authority in England).
Active people survey 4 quarterly results for Oct 2010 shows no overall statistically significant
change since Active People 2 (2007) for Lewisham.
•
Sport England Studies on specific groups:
1. Understanding participation in sport: What determines sports participation among lone parents?
Sport England (2006)
2. Understanding participation in sport: What determines sports participation among recently
retired people? Sport England (2006) A Review of Sexual Orientation in Sport Sport England
(2008).
•
Lewisham Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Survey (2006) – Survey and focus groups
with LGBT Lewisham residents
•
Borough Profile Data
•
Lewisham Cultural Survey 2007
•
Health, Well-being and Care: Lewisham Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (2010)
•
National School Sport Survey (2008)
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
48
Consultation:
Written consultation took place with around 50 stakeholders including those that already received
funding, new groups and National governing bodies of sport.
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions
Equality Strand
Race
Assessment of
Impact
Nil
Gender
Low Negative
Age
Medium Negative
Disability
Sexual orientation
Nil
Nil
Reason for Assessment
People from BAME groups have specific health
inequalities in Lewisham but there is no evidence
of disproportionate representation of different
ethnic groups in participating in sports or physical
activity in the borough. This means that although
there may be specific physical activity needs this is
not strongly associated with a reduction in
available opportunities to engage in structured
sport for all residents. The new system has the
potential to deliver specific outcomes through
which some of these health needs may be
addressed.
Feedback from clubs has not highlighted race as
an issue in relation to the funding
The reduction in funding may impact on gender
through a reduction in available opportunities to
engage in structured sport. Even though any
disproportionate impact can be mitigated by the
new more transparent funding criteria, because
women participate less, a reduction in funding
impacts negatively on the ability of providers to
address this imbalance.
The reduction in funding may impact on age
equality through a reduction in available
opportunities to engage in structured sport. Even
though any disproportionate impact can be
mitigated by the new more transparent funding
criteria, because children and older people
participate less and suffer specific health
inequalities in the borough, a reduction in funding
overall is likely to impact negatively on the ability of
providers to address this imbalance.
Although sports and physical activity levels are
lower for disabled residents and there are specific
health inequalities because addressing disability
sport needs is a priority for the service.
Although there is little information available about
LGBT participation in sports in Lewisham there is
no evidence that the proposal had a
disproportionate impact on this protected
characteristic. The assessment is therefore Nil
impact.
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
49
Religion & Belief
Socio Economic
Impact
Nil
Nil
Nil
Human Rights
Although there is little information available about
the interface of religion or belief and participation in
sports in Lewisham there is no evidence that the
proposal had a disproportionate impact on this
protected characteristic.
The assessment is
therefore Nil impact.
The proposed new funding arrangements for sport
and physical activity will have weighted criteria
which focuses on activity in areas of deprivation
and
on
people
who
are
economically
disadvantaged. The proposed new Lewisham Plus
Card changes will mean that children from
economically disadvantaged homes will be able to
gain up to 50% off leisure activities. Also older
people on benefits will be able to access free or
reduced-cost leisure activities. The new funding
schemes will focus to a large extent on children
and young people with weighted criteria to ensure
people of pensionable age are also catered for.
The implications of this proposal on Human Rights
has been assessed using the flow chart in ‘Human
rights:human lives: A handbook for public
authorities’ Department for Constitutional Affairs.
This proposal does not interfere with human rights.
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action:
Annette Stead, Service Manager Sport & Leisure Service, 0208 314 8496
For full report contact:
Community Services Policy Team, 020 8314 8289
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
50
Name of Review:
Period of Review:
Date review signed off by DMT:
Scope of the review:
School Improvement Team
November 2010 – February 2011
February 2011
Lewisham Learning and Development College (LLDC)
Proposal:
 To review the provision of professional development training in Lewisham (including the use of
the Kilmorie Road site) to ensure that it reflects the Government proposals for the delivery of inclassroom training and the establishment of teaching schools. The new service must become fully
self-funding.
 To seek a venue for re-siting the MFMC and allow it to trade independently; it can also continue
to be funded by subscriptions from schools.
Support for Lewisham Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education
Proposal:
 To review the level of support provided by the Local Authority to Lewisham SACRE in order to
ensure that it efficiently meets statutory requirements.
Music Service
Proposal:
 (1) closure of operational premises and evening classes at the Albany Centre in Deptford,
London, SE8 to reduce central costs;
 (2) Re-structuring of the management and administration teams;
 (3) direct engagement by schools with the support of the Head of Service to facilitate continuation
of school-based programmes;
 (4) incorporating payment to tutors for planning, report writing and training into their hourly rate;
 (5) re-structuring of after school ensembles and Saturday services to ensure that the ensembles
do continue, working closely with parents and carers.
Traveller Education Service
Proposal:
 The School Improvement Team (to which the TES belongs) is no longer able to continue this area
of work without any further funding. In order to continue its duty of care to these communities the
proposed restructure would involve most of the current services being provided by other parts of
the authority including schools and/or by voluntary organisations. It would mean the deletion of
three posts and the retention/creation of one part-time non-teaching post (subject to funding
agreement) to oversee the transition and to provide training and expert advice to colleagues now
holding responsibility for Gypsy Roma Traveller pupils and to be able to liaise with the newly
formed South London Consortium. An Outreach element would be included in the post to ensure
good practice around safeguarding.
The changes to the TES had been moved out of year one and into year two in order to establish more
fully what are the needs of these communities and to enable work with schools to identify sufficient
mechanisms to ensure access to education and continuity of provision.
Governor Services
Proposal:
 To establish a new staffing structure for Governors’ services which will result in the
deletion of two part time posts: (1) Governance Officer – Advice and information 0.9 Term
time only and (2) Database Officer 2.7 hours per week Term time only.
 It is proposed that the Administrative function within the team will be a shared role with
the posts within the School Improvement Team Business Support Unit.
Review team:
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
51
Sue Tipler, Head of Standards and Achievement
Relevant data and research:
LLDC provides a programme of courses for teachers and education staff; all courses are organised to
take account of the priorities of Lewisham’s Children and Young People’s Plan and current government
initiatives. The staff at the LLDC (not including tutors and consultants) consist of a team of thirteen who
manage the business and operation of the service.
Lewisham SACRE meets four times per year in different venues around the borough and is supported by
an internal RE consultant who is based within SIT, and by a clerk from another section of Lewisham’s
Children and Young People’s services.
The current Music management team consists of Head of Service, Deputy Head of Service and KS3
Music Leader. The administration team comprises Office Manager and Administrative Assistant. There
are also two Key Tutors who are paid additional hours to coordinate their faculty teams (Percussion and
Woodwind) as well as a Head of Saturday Centre and two Saturday Centre Pastoral Administrators.
There are also approximately 50 Music Tutors currently working for the Music service and the proposal is
for these to become part of an accredited panel of approved music staff working in schools and out-ofschool programmes as claims-based employees or self-employed contractors.
Over 2,000 children are currently learning to play and instrument through this scheme. Many more learn
through school funded and operated schemes using instruments purchased through the Music
Instrument Fund. In addition a further 1,800 children learn to play instruments and to sing in subsidised
small group programmes. 450 children and young people also have access to music learning through our
Saturday Centre, after school ensembles and evening classes. These services include some of the most
advanced music ensembles in the borough with progression routes through from beginner bands.
The annual number of members of the GRT communities in Lewisham is approximately 500 with over
120 children and young people aged 5 -16 years on the TES monthly register. The families reside in
housing and are not restricted to one particular part of the borough. As accommodation issues become
increasingly difficult, so mobility levels have risen. The highest ever mobility rate for children from GRT
families in Lewisham was recorded for 2009/10 at 74%; this presents problems as there is no consistent
cohort to enable evaluation of progress. However, there has recently been an increase in the number of
GRT pupils making a successful secondary transfer; more secondary schools have GRT students on roll
and there is improved liaison between schools and GRT families. There are increasing numbers of Roma
Gypsies arriving from Central and Eastern Europe : this group represents 39 % of all Lewisham GRT
residents for 2009/10.
The current staffing of Governors’ services consists of a Team Leader; Governance Officer (Training);
Governance Officer (Advice and information) – 0.9 Term time only; and a Database Officer (2.7 hours
per week Term time only). The team is also supplemented by 11 part time clerks who work mainly from
home and whose hours are variable.
Clerking Service – The majority of schools (93.4%) buy into the full clerking service; another 5.6% buy
into the support service which means that their clerk can attend the termly briefing / training sessions for
clerks and their governors receive the termly Governors’ Information Pack.
The chart below indicates the number of schools that buy into the Governors’ services:
No of schools
% of schools
Buying into either full service or support
85
93.4%
service
Schools buying into full service
79
86.8%
Schools buying into support service only
6
6.6%
Schools that don’t buy into any services
6
6.6%
School information
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
52
There are 88 schools in Lewisham which are supported by the School Improvement Team:
Details of the school population in Lewisham is detailed in the table below; it can be seen that there are
slightly more boys than girls:
Pupil population
Number (Spring 2010)
Male
18942
Female
18200
TOTAL
37142
The Standards and Achievement division employs 77 staff and the majority of these are female; five of
the staff have a disability:
LBL Children & Young People Standards and Achievement Division – Gender of staff
Male
14
18%
Female
63
82%
Consultation:
Team meetings - the SIT team have been appraised of the latest position regarding savings at each
meeting. For example on 8th January 2010 there was an update on the ending of the National Strategies
Director’s Meeting with headteachers – this included a discussion with headteachers of the anticipated
changes to the School Improvement service
Discussions at Primary and Secondary Strategic Groups – these have occurred since January 2010
Following concerns about proposals relating to the Lewisham Traveller Education Service it was decided
that this proposal should be moved to Phase 2, year 2. Consultation on all Phase 2 year 2 proposals
followed the following timetable
19 November 2010
10 December 2010
10 – 17 December 2010
17 December 2010
11 February 2011
February 2011
April 2011
Consultation period begins
Deadline for responses from the consultation process
Responses to the consultation process will be considered
and used to make amendments to the proposal
Amended proposals are provided, based on findings from
the consultation
Proposals are considered by Mayor and Cabinet
Outcomes from Mayor and Cabinet will be made available
to staff and stakeholders
Agreed changes to come into effect from 1.4.2011
In addition to this, public consultations were undertaken on the proposals relating to the Travellers
Education Service and the Lewisham Music Service. Following a number of requests the consultation
period was subsequently extended to 17th January 2011.
Assessment of impact, outcomes and key follow up actions:
Age:
- the proposals relate to reduction of services within the children and young people’s directorate and so
will impact negatively and disproportionately to this age group of Lewisham’s residents. However, this
needs to be seen in context of the whole package of savings proposals being considered by the Council
where impact will apply across a whole range of groups.
Disability:
No impact
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
53
Gender:
-the proposals for reductions in staff will result in the gender balance between women and men
becoming more even since women currently represent 82% of the workforce within the School
Improvement Team. However a higher proportion of women will potentially be facing redeployment /
redundancy
Ethnicity:
- the proposal relating to the Traveller Education Service will impact negatively and disproportionately on
people from Gypsy Roma Traveller communities for whom the service is directly targeted. The LA
intends to minimise the impact by implementing a range of actions to ensure that appropriate levels of
support are provided over the transition period following ending of the service. These are detailed in the
Action Plan below.
- the proposals relate to services which support schools in Lewisham. 74% of Lewisham’s school
population are from black and ethnic minority communities and over 170 different languages are spoken
by our pupils. Impact of the proposals will therefore be felt by these groups although no other specific
ethnic minority group will be disproportionately affected.
- the proposals for staff reductions are likely to impact negatively and disproportionately on White British
staff who represent a majority of the staff within the School Improvement Team. However it is noted that
this proportion is not representative of the overall resident or staffing population of the borough and that
the reductions across the Council will not mirror this. The Council has processes in place to minimise
impact on staff in terms of redundancies and this includes consideration of alternative suitable
employment through the redeployment procedures. The Council is also committed to enabling all directly
affected staff to access support and training in order to increase their skills and employability.
Religion:
No impact
Sexual Orientation:
No impact
Name and contact details of lead officer responsible for follow up action:
Sue Tipler
Sue.Tipler@lewisham.gov.uk
0208 314 6142
Issue
Equality
Recommendation / Action
category
Availability of affordable SocioLA to explore flexible options for charges to be paid for
Music services for lower economic
Saturday Centre provision
income families
“
SocioLA to explore the development of bursaries to enable
economic
disadvantaged and “gifted and talented” children and
young people to continue to access music provision in
after school programmes and projects.
Maintenance of
Race
LA to establish identifiable dedicated transitional support
Lewisham’s duty of care
(including creating a transitional post) to support GRT
to GRT communities
families during the process of change.
Maintenance of
Race
SIT to work with schools to ensure that sufficient and
Lewisham’s duty of care
robust processes are in place to maintain support to GRT
to GRT communities
communities in accessing education and continuity of
provision.
Ensure that Continual
All groups
Establish clear and transparent processes for the future
Professional
management of Continual Professional Development
Development funding is
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
54
managed equitably
according to needs and
that outcomes are
monitored
For full report contact:
Catherine Bunten
Catherine.Bunten@Lewisham.gov.uk
0208 314 6577
Lewisham’s Equality Impact Assessment Summaries 2010-11
55