Equality and Human Rights Commission

The assessment covered England, Wales and Scotland and was governed by specific terms of reference. The Commission determined the terms of reference in consultation with Jobcentre Plus.

1. To assess the extent to which the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), through its executive agency, Jobcentre Plus, has complied with the race, disability and gender equality duties* in the development and implementation of its policies and  practices, particularly, although not exclusively in relation to:
   
   a. the centralisation of its benefit processing function
   b. the reform of services for incapacity benefit customers, including the introduction of Pathways to Work and the Employment and Support Allowance;
   c. the implementation of Local Employment Partnerships and new services for lone parents.
    
2. To assess Jobcentre Plus's arrangements for:
   
   a. assessing and consulting on the likely impact of its proposed policies on the promotion of race equality
   b. monitoring its policies for any adverse impact on the promotion of race equality
   c. publishing the results of such assessments and consultation.
    
3. To assess Jobcentre Plus's methods for assessing the impact of its policies and practices, or the likely impact of its proposed policies and practices, on equality for disabled persons.
    
4. To assess the actions that Jobcentre Plus has taken or proposes to take to assess the impact of its policies and practices or the likely impact of its proposed policies and practices on equality between men and women.
    
5. To assess Jobcentre Plus's guidance for staff to carry out the assessments, consultation and monitoring referred to above including, but not limited to, any impact assessment tools, training materials, assessment templates, publications strategy and senior management sign-off methods.
    
6. To identify through these various assessments examples of good practice which can be disseminated within Jobcentre Plus and DWP, and potentially used by the Commission more widely.
    
7. To the extent that the Commission finds that Jobcentre Plus has failed to meet any of the public sector duties, to identify the reasons for such failure, consider whether there is action already planned to address the shortcomings, and if not, or if the Commission thinks that any planned actions are inadequate,  consider what more needs to be done.
    
8. To publish a report of the findings of the assessment including any necessary recommendations for further action.

*Under section 71 of the Race Relations Act, sections 76A, 76B and 76C of the Sex Discrimination Act , and section 49A and 49D of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.