Supporting equality
The IJB considers equality when making decisions about the services, seeking to ensure that everyone has the same opportunities and to access health and social care. Shetland IJB works closely with Shetland Islands Council and NHS Shetland to support and promote equality, fairness and equity. The IJB continues to progress equality outcomes and to meet their duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) of the Equality Act 2010.
Shetland IJB aims to ensure that everyone is treated fairly, respectfully and with dignity.
Shetland IJB have a duty to:
- Eliminate discrimination and harassment, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations.
- Publish a report on how it has mainstreamed equality into day-to-day operation.
- Publish equality outcomes and report on progress towards these outcomes.
- Assess and review relevant policies, procedures and practices for equality impacts (we do this using Equality Impact Assessment)
- Make reports and information published accessible to people.
Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Progress Reports
The IJB are required to produce reports that set out the equality goals they wish to achieve and to provide an update on progress made since the previous equality report. Our most current report is the 2025-2029 Equality Outcomes report, and we also have an Easy Read accessible version of this report.
As part of this work, we gather feedback from people with protected characteristics and those that support them, and feedback from our staff. We also look at data on Shetland population to identify needs, as well as looking at a range of information on protected characteristics, and affects on health and social care needs, outcomes and equality.
Our 2025-2029 outcomes are:
- Decision-makers and staff will have access to good quality evidence (data and lived experience) to inform service improvement
- We will use Equality Impact Assessments (EIA) as a meaningful tool to reduce discrimination and disadvantage
- Adults with disabilities have access to health and care services which cater to their individual needs, preferences and decisions
- People will have access to inclusive and accessible communication
Shetland Community Planning Partners
Shetland Community Planning Partners work together to improve equality. The Shetland Community Planning Partners are: Shetland Integration Joint Board (IJB), Shetland Islands Council, NHS Shetland, Shetland College, Schools Service, ZetTrans and Shetland Licensing Board.
Our equality reports
| Year | Link to report | Some updates in the report include |
| 2019 | shetland-equality-outcomes-and-mainstreaming-progress-reports |
The Council revised HR policies, and joined the See Me in Work programme, promoting a culture and environment of equality of opportunity. The new Eric Gray Resource Centre opened, providing specialist supported vocational activities for adults with learning disability, autistic spectrum disorder and complex needs. |
| 2021 | equality-outcomes-mainstreaming-report-2021-25 |
Approval of a new Domestic Abuse and Violence Strategy 2018-23. Hosting of Project Search, supporting young people with additional needs to gain skills and experience to help them move into employment. |
| 2023 | equality-outcome-progress-report-2023 |
More Modern Apprentices and support of training in work schemes within Community Health & Social Care (CH&SC). Looking at flexibility and skill set within CH&SC roles to reduce barriers and support staff during Cost of Living crisis. |
| 2025 |
Shetland IJB Equality Outcomes and Monitoring Report 25-29
Equality 25-29 report -Easy Read and accessible version
Equality Outcomes and Mainstreaming Progress Report 2021-25 - March 25 Update |
Council and health and social care staff have participated in trauma-informed lens training. The IJB has reviewed and refined communication practices, ensuring information is delivered in Plain English with reduced jargon. The IJB has increased its use of focus groups and customer group discussions to gather insights from people with lived experience. |
Employment equalities
The IJB do not directly employ staff. Instead staff who work under the Health and Social Care Partnership are employed by Shetland Islands Council and NHS Shetland. Both these organisations develop reports that look at equalities in employment; including recruitment and selection, training and development, protected characteristics and pay.
For more information please view: