Equality and Human Rights Commission

Equality Impact Assessment: reducing negative impact of policy changes on equality groups

Following the publication of Counting the Cost in 2010, the Commission in Scotland have recently commissioned a study to assess the extent to which Scottish public bodies:

(a) have identified a need for mitigation action to be taken as a result of conducting Equality Impact Assessments

(b) can supply evidence that such mitigation action has been put in place and has been successful in addressing the negative impact identified through the Equality Impact Assessment

Through this work we are seeking to identify both positive and negative practices. The information gathered will be used to assist in developing the Commission’s approach to compliance with the new Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and inform our advisory work with public bodies.

Two sectors have been selected to focus this study - Scottish police forces and education authorities. The study will be completed and a report produced by spring 2012. ONS Consulting and Unify are collaborating on delivery of this project.