Equality Impact Assessments and Equality Act 2010

1. Equality Impact Assessmentsand Equality Act 2010 The change in terminology from impact assessments to impact analysis is to emphasis and focus on the quality of the analysis and not on production of documents which sometimes have been taken to be an end in itself.

2. Objectives • At the end of this session you will be able to: • Define Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) • State why it is important to undertake EIA • Understand the stages/process/timescales for conducting EIA • Conduct Equality Impact Assessment

3. What is an Equality Impact Assessment? Thorough and systematic analysis of the following: -Projects -Procedures -Academic programmes Policies -Strategy -Teaching and learning practices to find out their impact (either positive or negative) on particular group(s) or protected characteristic(s)

4. Why Equality Impact Assessments • Equality Impact Assessments or EIAs are useful ways of making sure our programmes, projects, practices are inclusive. • An effective EIA should involve a meaningful assessment of the impact of our teaching and learning activities on equality and diversity. • The more robust the process of conducting an EIA, the greater the legal cover afforded to an organisation if the EIA is challenged or if the HEI seeks to rely on the EIA in a legal case. • Not all EIAs will require the same level of staff time and resources.

5. Why Equality Impact Assessments Cont… Not carrying out EIAs may mean we are not paying due regard to the general equality duty of the Equality Act 2010. General equality duty: • eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act; • advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it; • foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

6. Why Equality Impact Assessments (Cont) • Equality impact assessments will help us to consider the likely effect of our programmes, teaching and learning practices, etc on protected equality groups. • It shows we have given proper consideration to equality in writing or reviewing our programmes, teaching practices, etc. • To minimise disadvantages that some protected groups may experience.

7. The Protected Characteristicsof the Equality Act 2010 MARRIAGE & CIVIL PARTNERHSIP RELIGION / BELIEF or NON-BELIEF AGE SEXUAL ORIENTATION PROTECTED CHARACTERISTICS (9) SEX GENDER REASSIGNMENT PREGNANCY & MATERNITY DISABILITY RACE

8. When do we conductEquality Impact Assessment? • When we are introducing new programmes, projects or strategies or criteria, etc. • When we intend to revise an existing programme, strategy or project, or criterion, etc.

9. Step by step guide to EqualityImpact Assessments • Step 1 – Identify who is responsible for the programme – to ensure proper ownership is maintained and the result of the EIA inform changes and reviews. • Step 2 – What is the purpose of the programme. • Step 3 – Is the programme aimed at all protected groups of the Equality Act 2010. • Step 4 – In checking relevance ask yourself some questions. e.g: - Are there concerns that the programme could exclude or have adverse impact on any equality group (protected characteristics as identified by the Equality Act 2010.

10. Step by step guide to EqualityAssessments Cont…. • What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you have for this? • Consider the following: • Course delivery – e.g. timetabling, room allocations, different approaches to teaching with equality protected characteristics in mind. • Learning materials – e.g. accessibility, alternative formats, etc. • Assessment methods – alternative way of assessments. • Does the programme take into account the needs, issues, and experiences of the different equality groups, value diversity and promote equality of opportunity (e.g. materials to be studied, non stereotypical scenarios and examples, etc). • What equality monitoring data and information (quantitative and qualitative) would you use for your EIA.

11. Step by step guide to EqualityAssessments Cont…. - Consider relevant course evaluation reports. • Consider student satisfaction survey results. • Which stakeholder or group can you usefully engage with in analysing the programme, practice, teaching and learning, etc. • What will happen or not happen if the programme, practice, etc stays like this. • Remember equality impact assessment is not just to remove a negative effect or discrimination, it is to assist with advancing equality of opportunity.

12. Step by step guide to EqualityAssessments Cont…. Step 5 - Bringing all these information together will assist you with making a judgment about the programme, practice, etc The information will assist you to arrive at one of these 2 decisions: • No change • If adverse impact on particular group, how would you address it? - time scale for removing adverse impact - resource implication

13. The Equality Act 2010 • From April 2010, as a nation, we now have a Single Equality Duty which require education institutions to eliminate any form of discrimination. • The Act introduced nine protected characteristics thus offering protection for everyone. • The Act consolidates, simplifies and expands existing discrimination laws. • The Act replaces all existing equality legislation. For more information on Equality Impact Assessments please email equality@ljmu.ac.uk