Equality impact assessments

This page explains what an equality impact assessment is and includes a step by step guide on how to carry out an equality impact assessment (EqIA).

Context

The duty to undertake impact assessments is a requirement of race, gender and disability equality legislation.

Equality impact assessments provide a systematic way to ensure legal obligations are met and are also a practical way of examining new and existing, policies, and practices, to determine what effect they may have on equality for those affected by the outcomes.

By ensuring that equality is embedded within their objectives from the outset, equality impact assessments will assist organisations in achieving their business objectives. EqIAs enable organisations to identify problems and make the necessary changes.

What is an equality impact assessment?

Equality Impact assessments (EqIA) are a way of examining the main functions and policies of an organisation to see whether they have the potential to affect people differently. Their purpose is to identify and address real or potential inequalities resulting from policy and practice development. EqIA should cover all the strands of diversity and ensure that all receive equitable attention.

Impact assessments will help to gain an understanding the functions of an organisation and the way decisions are made by:

• considering the current situation.
• deciding what is to be achieved - i.e. the objectives and intended outcomes of a function or policy.
• considering what evidence there is to support the decision.
• where the gaps are in terms of evidence to support the decision.
• making an informed decision.
• reporting / publishing that decision.

Why do I need to do an equality impact assessment?

The duty to undertake equality impact assessments is legal duty under the race, disability and gender legislation.

Equality Impact Assessments can assist organisations in the delivery of their business objectives to achieve equal outcomes for their staff and local community.

General duties within equality legislation apply the principles of relevance and proportionality. Therefore, the time and resources given to EqIAs and consultation will differ according to the relevance of the function and proposed policy to equality and diversity.