Process

Impact assessments and consultations must now be an integral part of the policy development process. It can't be perceived as either an add-on or extra burden on an authority, rather it needs to be viewed as a unique opportunity to promote inclusive and fair service delivery and employment practice. This process is designed to assist you in undertaking effective impact assessments and inclusive consultations.

The EQIA is carried out by completing a form. The first section of the form is used for a preliminary screening of the service functions, policy or project and the second section is used for a more detailed assessment.

It will be necessary to carry out an EQIA in addition to completing the proforma for community planning, which includes a section on Equal Opportunities.

The EQIA is done in two parts. In Section One the project goes through a screening process. In Section Two it undergoes a more thorough assessment and outlines questions and practical issues that inform a full impact assessment. This second section is further divided into two parts.

Section One: Screening

Section One of the EQIA - the screening - should be carried out at the planning and development stage of the project, strategy or policy.

Some large projects will be made up of many different activities, some of which are in themselves projects. As part of the screening, these activities should be listed and if any of them are projects in themselves, the project lead should consider whether they need to undergo a separate EQIA screening.

Once Section One has been completed, the project is only required to go through the second stage of the EQIA if:

• any equality target group or sub section of an equality target group would be negatively affected
• and that impact is assessed as of high significance.

However it may be useful for the project to go through the second stage even if only positive impact has been identified, or the impact is of low significance. This would enable a thorough assessment to take place.

The completed screening form should be kept on file and a copy sent to the Policy Unit. It may be required for audit purposes.

Section Two: Detailed Assessment

Section Two of the EQIA is used to examine projects/strategies/services that the initial screening indicated may have a negative impact on certain equality target groups. Projects, strategies and policies go through this second stage if there is a danger that the negative impact they have on these groups falls into one (or more) of the following categories:

• It is assessed as of high impact
• It is not intentional
• It is illegal or possibly illegal (i.e. discriminatory according to anti-discrimination legislation).

Such projects must have a detailed assessment carried out, using Section Two of the EQIA. This is in two parts:

• Part A provides an opportunity to assess, in some detail, the evidence for a possible negative impact. It ensures policy, strategy and project teams have researched and consulted with the equality target groups that may be affected; and
• Part B completes the assessment and leads to an action plan that will aim to minimise any negative impacts and maximise positive impacts.

Copies of all full EQIAs should be retained on file, with a copy sent to the Policy Unit.

The public will be able to examine completed EQIA forms, if they request to see them.