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The Equality Commission Role and Services

The Equality Commission Role and Services. www.equalityni.org. Course objectives. By completing this course, you will know:. The background of the Commission Its structure Its vision and mission Its range of powers and responsibilities Key Equality Laws in Northern Ireland

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The Equality Commission Role and Services

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  1. The Equality Commission Role and Services www.equalityni.org

  2. Course objectives By completing this course, you will know: • ThebackgroundoftheCommission • Itsstructure • Itsvisionandmission • Itsrangeofpowersandresponsibilities • KeyEqualityLawsinNorthernIreland • Whatdiscriminationis • Areasofeverydaylifecoveredbyequalitylaw

  3. Background of the Commission

  4. Section 1 – The Equality Commission In this section you will learn about: • WhattheCommissionis • WheretheCommissioncamefrom • Itsvision • Itsmission

  5. What the Commission is The statutory body in Northern Ireland which promotes equality of opportunity and works to eliminate discrimination on grounds of: Age Disability Sex Sexual Orientation Race Religious Belief / Political Opinion

  6. What the Commission is An independent public body established under Section 73 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. • CarriesoutregulatoryfunctionsonbehalfofGovernment(enforcesanti-discriminationlawandlegislationdesignedtopromoteequality) • ProvidesspecialistadvicetoMinistersandothers • HasaProvincewideremit • Hasaboardwhosemembers(commissioners)areappointedbytheSecretaryofState/NIO • Employsitsownstaff,whoarenotcivilservants • Managesitsownbudget. Equality House 7–9 Shaftesbury Square Belfast

  7. Where the Commission came from Equal Opportunities Commission Equality Commission for Northern Ireland Commission for Racial Equality NI Disability Rights Council Fair Employment Commission Human Rights Commission

  8. The Commission’s Vision 1 2 3 1 A shared, integrated & inclusive place 2 A society where difference is respected and valued 3 Based on equality and fairness for the entire community

  9. Through Promotion Advice Enforcement The Commission’s Mission Advance equality Promote equality of opportunity Encourage good relations Challenge discrimination

  10. The Equality Commission’s Role

  11. Section 2 – The Commission’s Role In this section you will learn about the Commission’s role in: • SupportingComplainants • ProvidingAdviceandAssistance • InvestigationandEnforcement • PromotingEquality&GoodRelations • OverseeingthePublicSectorEquality&GoodRelationsDuties • ConductingResearch • ReviewingLegislation

  12. Commission’s Role It’s wide range of powers and responsibilities Advising & assisting people who believe they have been discriminatedagainst Overseeing statutory duties on public authorities to take equality and good relations into account in its work Enforcingthelaw (enforcementpowersaredifferentacrossthevariousequalitygrounds) Research Providing information,educationandpromotingequalityandgoodrelations Keeping the equality legislation under review and making recommendations to government for change

  13. Supporting Complainants The Equality Commission gives advice and assistance to people who believe they have been discriminated against because of their: Age Disability Race(includingcolour,nationality,ethnicornationalorigins,includingbeinganIrishTraveller) Religiousbelieforpoliticalopinion Sex(includingmarriedorcivilpartnerstatus) Sexualorientation

  14. Providing Advice and Assistance The Equality Commission does not decide whether discrimination has in fact occurred This decision is made by an independent industrial tribunal, court or Special Educational Needs & Disability Tribunal

  15. Investigation and Enforcement The Commission has powers to ensure that people comply with the legislation including some powers to investigate particular organisations or practices

  16. Promoting Equality & Good Relations Promoting and encouraging good equal opportunities practice is as important as enforcing the law

  17. Overseeing Public Sector Equality & Good Relations Duties The Commission oversees how effectively public authorities carry out the duties placed on them by Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act

  18. Conducting Research Provides reliable information and informs the debate on equality issues A Key Inequalities statement, published Oct 2007, highlighted persistent inequalities in Northern Ireland in a number of areas. The statement was based on a variety of research and its findings informed the Commission’s work

  19. Reviewing Legislation The Commission monitors the way that Northern Ireland’s equality laws are working, and makes recommendations to Government on ways in which they can be improved

  20. Equality Law in Northern Ireland

  21. Section 3 – Equality Law In this section you will learn about: • Whatdiscriminationis • Typesofdiscrimination • Whatdiscriminationlawcovers

  22. Singled out for worse treatment What discrimination is Generally, discrimination is treating someone less favourably purely because of their: Sex Age Disability Sexual Orientation Religious Belief Note Discrimination is not always unlawful and some discrimination can be justified despite equality laws Race Political Opinion

  23. Types of discrimination Direct Indirect Failure to make reasonable adjustments Harassment Victimisation Pregnancy related

  24. Accessing goods, facilities, & services (except for age) Employment Education (with some exceptions) Housing & accommodation What discrimination law covers

  25. Course summary This short course has covered the following subjects: Background of the Equality Commission Equality Law in Northern Ireland Equality Commission’s Role

  26. www.equalityni.org 028 90 500 600 For more If you want more information about these subjects, or the Equality Commission … see our website www.equalityni.org email us on information@equalityni.org Ring our Reception 028 90 500 600

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