DELIVERING
ON EQUALITIES
GUIDANCE TO COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIPS
DELIVERING ON EQUALITIES
GUIDANCE TO COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIPS
CONTENTS
1 Getting Started 5
3 Making a Difference 20
Appendices
Equalities Statement of Intent 31
COSLA Statement on Mainstreaming 36
These notes aim to provide an overview of steps and related support that should assist Community Planning Partners (CPPs) to better understand the commitments that have been made on equality matters and how they can be translated into action.
Individual sections build to an overall picture describing how a CPP might:
• Develop a coherent and systematic approach to equalities
• Demonstrate positive engagement with equality requirements
• Effectively tackle identified needs within all communities
• Facilitate a shift to equality outcomes in line with the single outcome agreement framework
Context
• The public duties and other equality requirements
The positive and proactive approach outlined in this guidance emanates from the equality legislation. The approach is written into the Scotland Act and subsequent legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament. The Local Government Act which introduced best value and community planning, put equalities at the heart of continuous improvement and effective delivery.
• The three commissions statement on partnership
The statement clarifies the role of partnerships in the context of equality matters and offers a straightforward approach broadly based on COSLA guidance on equalities and community planning which recommends:
“To support the mainstreaming of equalities within the community planning process partnerships should:
• Identify what action they are going to take to encourage equal opportunities
• Assess all policy proposals in terms of their impact on equalities
• Engage with equalities groups/interests as part of the process
• Build up their own capacity and the capacity of community bodies/equalities groups to participate fully in the process
• Share information on the needs and circumstances of equalities groups
• Monitor and evaluate their performance in relation to the encouragement of equal opportunities
• Report on their performance through the Public Performance Reporting Framework”
• COSLA Guidance on Equalities Best Value and Community Planning
Published in 2003 this remains one of the clearest statements on how equality should feature within Community Planning setting out practical steps in support.
Achieving best value means:
‘That there is recognition that all groups in the community do not have the same resources, situations and needs, and that this is reflected in planning, designing and improving services.’
• Development of Single Outcome Agreements
Current development sees a set of agreed strategic objectives (smarter, wealthier and fairer, greener, safer and stronger, and healthier) with supporting outcomes and a set of national performance indicators. These will form the basis for measuring progress across the public sector.
• Equalities Review and Measurement Framework
The review took stock of the impact of over 30 years of equality legislation, what were the factors acting as a brake to progress and what needed to be done to accelerate the pace of change.
One key element identified was the need for a new means of measuring change over time that could assess the impact of interventions at a variety of levels. The review’s final report provided an initial measurement framework for consideration by the new Equality and Human Rights Commission and its many stakeholders.
SECTION ONE
GETTING STARTED: building and developing the evidence base
1.1 Setting the Scene
Effective use of evidence helps target resources, address need, meet the equality requirements and to prioritise.
Community Planning Partnerships (CPPs) can add considerable value to the evidence base by collating relevant information across whole areas and addressing shortfalls systematically and collectively.
Gathering information, (and addressing gaps) analysing it and making use of it to improve services is generally taken to be a cyclical process.
1.2 What kind of information and where to look
Evidence will come from a range of sources and in different formats including qualitative and quantitative: monitoring of services, research, customer feedback, focus groups, satisfaction surveys etc. Numbers are useful for reflecting overall use of a service but focus groups and surveys can provide qualitative detail from personal experience.
Much information will already be available to Partnerships and individual partner agencies. However, some data will already be collected but may not be put to any practical use. There will certainly be gaps in knowledge that can be addressed when considering research priorities. There will be a need to examine how and what information is shared and whether there are any existing agreements or protocols dealing with information sharing within the partnership.
It is also important to remember the contribution from partners in the community and voluntary sectors. Information may already be held and used systematically in respect of client-centred services. In other areas, the planning process may identify where data needs to be gathered in order to improve understanding and effectiveness.
Again, consider the range of options when looking for the most appropriate means of collecting evidence.
CHECKLIST Are you using the following sources and types of evidence: • national surveys such as the ten yearly census and annual Scottish Household Survey • research conducted at a national level can provide pointers for local planning. In addition, partners will have carried out a good deal of local research to help plan services. Some might be disaggregated by equality group or possibly even focussed on an equality group • consultation exercises are increasingly being carried out and should already be providing equality information about respondents • satisfaction surveys and customer feedback exercises provide an opportunity to gather broad indications of reaction by equality group • increasing the use of community engagement processes that are geared up to reflect the range of views according to equality group • systematic equality monitoring data collection and use provides an essential means of assessing service use and needs • complaints can be analysed by the personal characteristics of the complaints and can also relate to an equality issue directly • inspection and review reports can highlight issues and gaps to be addressed as well as aspects of good practice and information to be shared • Labour Force Survey and Jobcentre plus can be a good source of data • National statistics e.g. High Level Summary of Equality Statistics Scottish Executive 2006 |
1.3 MAKING THE MOST OF WHAT IS AVAILABLE
Gaining a better understanding of the experience, needs and aspirations of people within the area of benefit is the ultimate objective. As a first step, the regular collection and analysis of service-user data will help to:
• Highlight possible inequalities
• Investigate underlying causes and
• Remove unfairness and disadvantage
If such monitoring systems have yet to be put in place and produce meaningful data, the establishment of an effective system will remain a priority and should feature as a performance measure. There is a wealth of printed and on-line material already available on how to introduce or run an effective monitoring system. References to some are made at the end of this section.
It should also be remembered that sufficient information is needed to plan and deliver more accessible and appropriate services. This doesn’t necessarily require 100% returns but equally, a return that is so low that it will prove meaningless for planning purposes would be unacceptable.
Services aim to be appropriate, accessible, responsive and of a good quality. Monitoring should play a significant part in supporting these aims and above all should be seen as identifying needs not individuals.
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CHECKLIST Quick Reminder of Basic Monitoring Elements The following steps provide a thumbnail approach to monitoring: • Identify key services to be monitored • Remember to include partners in community and voluntary sectors • Provide information to clients/customers • Support staff with training and guidance • Select the most appropriate time and frequency to collect data • Ensure data security and confidentiality • Agree follow up measures to gain as full a return as possible |
Whilst individual partners might be getting up to speed by developing effective monitoring systems, there are considerable benefits from pooling resources between partners and examining what else can be contributed. Planning partnerships were set up to add value and create more effective planning. Effective planning can only thrive on up-to-date and reliable information. There is a wide range of relevant information held by partners such as pupil attainment, health needs assessments, community safety surveys, trainee characteristics all of which should have equality-related data. In addition, local surveys and funded voluntary sector organisations should be seen as another potential source of evidence.
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BOXED EXAMPLE Mapping Exercise Mapping all relevant activity and information held by partners across the partnership should be seen as an essential planning tool. Much useful information is held by partner organisations already. Local studies and needs assessments can sometimes be left, the results not acted upon. Partnerships can provide the opportunity to add value to such information by collating it to provide a much clearer picture of local need. A first step would be a common agreement across the partnership possibly reflected within an equalities statement of intent or information sharing protocol. Secondly, a mapping exercise should be carried out followed by an agreed list of prioritised action. For a mapping template see appendix one. |
1.4 USING EVIDENCE TO INFORM PRACTICE
It cannot be emphasised too strongly that monitoring is about more than just data collection. Unless findings are followed up, any adverse impact investigated and barriers tackled, public sector bodies are unlikely to be able to show that they are meeting the general duty and will certainly not be able to meet local needs.
Analysis of the data might help to shape services differently to meet need, to develop new services or provide enough information to consider the need for more detailed study. It is important to consider the following:
• the impact of current policy and practice
• who uses the service, who doesn’t and who should
• any evidence of under or over representation
• levels of satisfaction with services amongst people
• whether the way services are provided needs to change
Analysis should aim to highlight any differences in access to services, over or under representation within certain groups and awareness of changing need over time.
Meeting the equality duties and responding to needs across all equality groups requires a more targeted approach than that used in pursuit of universal service provision and target setting,
In some instances statistical information will already be available, but in other circumstances, more work will be needed to gather data as well as more qualitative information.
All of this activity supports the best value concepts of continuous improvement and the need to demonstrate real change for all communities, including equality groups within them.
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Boxed Example Community Profiling This approach has been used in support of Housing Information and Advice Scottish National Standard 2.3: ‘All services must undertake a regular exercise to determine the profile of their local community and any special needs that may exist.’ Evidence relating to some equality groups in certain parts of the country may be missing or lack sufficient detail for planning purposes. In this case, a community profile can be undertaken for a specific community or even a group within that community. The approach makes use of any existing data or research but will primarily be aimed at making contact with the community itself. This may be best supported through the use of intermediaries such as relevant agency staff and with client-based services. The approach has an added benefit of providing an opportunity to provide training and support for community researchers to assist in gathering qualitative information. |
1.5 IDENTIFYING PRIORITIES
From such evidence gathering and needs assessment, it should be possible to identify priorities and associated progress measures for all equality groups.
Data can tell us a great deal but there may still be a need for more detailed discussion with some groups on certain issues. This approach is supported by the National Standards for Community Engagement. The contribution of well-selected focus groups can assist in refining priorities as well as increasing community confidence in consultative processes.
The application of a common approach or universal provision can lead to differentiated outcomes for different groups. This is why service provision may need to be amended to reflect different needs. As we have already seen, gathering evidence and talking directly to service users and non-users can often help to identify what needs to change.
Selected priorities might fall under one specific objective as indicated through data and dialogue. If the evidence is not yet available for all outcome areas, continue to monitor key services and gather evidence.
Suggested key areas might include a focus on national targets areas such as (school attainment, training provision, access to specific health care provision, community safety) but with an additional focus on particular equality groups.
Other priorities might emerge from existing local and other national data and involve close discussion with local groups. Again, priorities might be identified for communities where there is little or no information available e.g. Scottish Gypsy Travellers, new migrants, LGBT, faith communities and the need is to establish dialogue around key services and unmet needs.
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Information Box Activities to Consider When it comes to identifying priorities, each equality strand will almost certainly have a different emphasis depending on the quality of the data available and needs analysis produced. Perhaps systemic or process issues need to be addressed or there may be a need to create specific services or adjustments to existing services. Whatever the outcome, the route is likely to be different for different equality groups. Universal targets and a one-size-fits-all approach will almost certainly be insufficient to meet equality requirements. It would be helpful to find opportunities to talk to communities once data and other evidence has been gathered. This would help shape final priorities and foster confidence in the process. An overall approach to prioritising may be incorporated within Equality Impact Assessments. Such assessments can be particularly useful because they involve internal expertise and external consultation. Finally, the weighting of priorities might be considered. Based on elements such as strength of available data, consistency of support from communities and obligations relating to the legislative and scrutiny frameworks, decisions can be made to stagger the introduction of specific interventions over the planning period. |
1.6 MAINTAINING MOMENTUM
It is important to see the achievement of equality outcomes as something cyclical rather than a linear progression towards equality: progress is measured then evaluated and indicators amended or re-configured.
If the evidence base remains weak, steps will clearly need to be taken to improve understanding. In the early phase of developing appropriate responses, action to address the absence of data might itself become a priority for particular equality strands. A number of the measures outlined above should assist in getting things started, in particular dialogue with communities in the absence of data.
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INFORMATION BOX Activities to Consider Link to continuous improvement – supporting mechanisms introduced year on year: staff guidance, public awareness, priority list of service introduction, creating a basket of services/functions for which monitoring data will be collected to provide understanding of progress over time, developing effective methods of community engagement. An Equalities Statement of Intent provides a partnership wide agreement on principles and practice facilitating senior level commitment to progress and identifying structures and approaches for making it happen Information sharing protocols can provide a helpful framework as well as much needed impetus to collate existing evidence and to identify gaps across the whole operational area
Mapping exercises can provide a partnership-wide resource, reduce duplication, encourage co-ordination and bring added value to the equality agenda for the area.
Introduction of monitoring for key services/partner activity Equality proofing approach to some existing mechanisms that tend to take a universal or generic approach such as satisfaction surveys, community engagement exercises and the like. Targeted research/local area studies to ‘test’ national data at a local level and to ascertain local views on specific issues or to add further detail to existing priorities Activity currently funded by partners might provide a wealth of valuable local information. Consistent and proportionate monitoring of services, analysis of issues arising from clients and local needs assessments can all assist
Linked to this final area, programmes aimed at community development and capacity building should help reinforce the aims of evidence gathering: addressing needs and improving services |
Further Support
Using Evidence to Mainstream Equality Community Scotland 2006
A very useful and practical guide to what evidence is out there and where to find it written in the context of community planning
Provides links to archived statutory guidance from the previous three statutory equality bodies including detailed guidance on monitoring
High-level Summary of Equality Statistics Scottish Executive 2006
Sources of data at a national level and what is available by equality strand
Community Profiling – Assessing the Housing Needs of Gypsies/Travellers in Falkirk Communities Scotland
Practical example of how to gather evidence that can be used to assist planning in the absence of a comprehensive data set
Social Focus on Deprived Areas 2005
A very helpful examination of areas of deprivation against data held nationally for equality groups providing an overview of how equality and deprivation intersect
National Standards for Community Engagement and associated support materials Communities Scotland 2006
Extensive support material and case studies are available to support the implementation of the standards
Don’t treat us all the same - Communities Scotland 2007
These advice notes have been produced to support people who want to ensure community engagement is inclusive and promotes equal opportunities
Good Practice Guidance – consultation with equalities groups Scottish Executive 2002
Can be seen as a supplement to the national standards
2 MAINSTREAMING EQUALITY: building in, not adding on
2.1 Just what is mainstreaming?
Scottish Government
• It is a long-term strategy that aims to make sure that policy-making is fully sensitive to the diverse needs and experiences of people
• it leads to improved policy-making through better information, greater transparency and openness in the policy process
• it involves groups and individuals who experience inequality and discrimination in informing policy-making through effective consultation
• it tackles the under-representation of disadvantaged and excluded groups through encouraging wider participation
• it tackles structures, behaviours and attitudes that contribute to or sustain inequality and discrimination
• it can avoid policies and programmes being adopted that continue existing inequalities or make them worse
• it complements lawful positive action that is designed to address long-term historic disadvantage experienced by specific groups as a result of discriminatory practices and structures
Scottish Parliament
Mainstreaming equality is essentially concerned with the integration of equal opportunities principles, strategies and practices into the every day work of Government and other public bodies from the outset, involving `every day' policy actors in addition to equality specialists. In other words, it entails rethinking mainstream provision to accommodate gender, race, disability and other dimensions of discrimination and disadvantage, including class, sexuality and religion. In summary:
• Mainstreaming equality is an approach which attempts to ensure that equal opportunities are considered at all stages of the policy process.
• A key part of mainstreaming is assessing whether policy will have a different impact on different groups.
• Mainstreaming developed from a gender perspective but is now expanding beyond that to other equalities issues.
• Research has identified that successful mainstreaming requires:
political will to prioritise equal opportunities;
training in equality for decision makers and policy makers;
a high quality information and research base – often gained through consultation on proposed initiatives.
Communities Scotland
Mainstreaming equality means that we will systematically integrate equality into our everyday work: not addressing it as an after thought but building it in from the outset; not seeing it as something only relevant for specific groups of people but as something that affects everyone’s abilities to fulfill all of their potential.
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INFORMATION BOX COSLA’s Guidance on mainstreaming within Community Planning “At the heart of community planning is the need for a better understanding of the needs of communities and, therefore, the need for a greater collective engagement with all communities. The Act itself sets out a requirement on councils to consult and encourage the engagement of community bodies as part of their role in facilitating the process. Those community bodies must include bodies representing equalities groups / interests. Councils and their community planning partners will also need to build up the capacity of community bodies / equalities groups to participate fully in the process. The sharing of information is a pre-requisite for effective partnership working. Community planning partnership should share information on the needs and circumstances of equality groups. They could also use this opportunity to benchmark their own performance for example, in relation to the monitoring of employment of equality groups or in relation to service outcomes. Reporting on actions taken to encourage equal opportunities through the community planning process will be geared towards the local community. This will improve accountability to local equalities groups. This should be achieved as part of the Public Performance Reporting Framework. Community planning partnerships should monitor and evaluate their performance in relation to the encouragement of equal opportunities. This should take account of feedback from equalities groups based on the reporting of actions taken by the partnership. The Auditor General / Controller of Audit should have regard to this information in their external scrutiny of the planning process.” For complete text see Appendix Three |
2.2 Making a Start
In order to effectively respond to the equality requirements within legislation, authorities and partnerships will need to look at how mainstreaming equality will help improve their equality performance and satisfy external scrutiny.
“As the outcome of the community planning process should lead to a more equitable, just and inclusive society, encouraging equal opportunities must be an important objective of the process. Equal opportunities should therefore be mainstreamed by community planning partners in the partnership activity and plans / strategies associated with the community planning process”.
Equalities, Best Value, Community Planning and Well-Being COSLA (2003)
The approach to mainstreaming is in truth a long process and one that requires a consistent awareness of how equality impacts on policy and practice.
There is a growing body of exemplar material and guidance available on mainstreaming but some of the essential elements focus on how organisations are gearing up to take account of equality matters in their fundamental activities such as:
• Board level commitment and action
• Management commitment and action
• Service planning
• Service delivery
• Customer focus
• The evidence base
• Performance measurement
Mainstreaming will become more significant in the context of single outcome agreements. Although the number of priorities will be reduced, they will almost certainly remain relevant to an equality agenda along with effective monitoring and evaluation that can demonstrate real change for all communities.
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Activities to Consider Equality Impact Assessment Equality impact assessment is intended to lessen or remove potential or actual adverse impact on different equality groups. There are a number of ways to assess how current policy is working through processes that support evidence-led policy-making: monitoring of service uptake, external consultation, needs assessment, targeted research, internal and external scrutiny, client feedback, complaints etc. Equality impact assessment brings these elements together in a process designed to plan out discrimination and as such is a critical support to mainstreaming. At the heart of impact assessment is delivery of appropriate and accessible services for all: services that are provided effectively and efficiently within a framework of continuous improvement. A basic approach would include: 1 What are we trying to do here? Identify the main purpose of the policy, along with the intended audience or beneficiaries and intended outcomes. There should also be an indication of how the policy will be delivered and with which partners, if any. 2 What do we know? Consider demographics, research, consultation, surveys, equality monitoring data, feedback, benchmarking, complaints, inspection and review reports. 3 Will there be any differential impact? From policy intent and available evidence, does any evidence indicate or suggest that there might be a differential impact on different racial groups inherent in the proposal? If so, a decision will have to be made as to whether or not to proceed to full assessment. Remember , a service available to all doesn’t intrinsically promote equality and remove discrimination 4 Who do we to talk to? An essential element of a fuller assessment would include consultation on proposals for change. This might include internal review, the appointment of a standing panel of experts as well as external consultation. External consultation might also be needed when existing data is insufficient to allow firm conclusions to be drawn and plans laid. |
2.3 A Clearer Understanding
An essential focus to CPP activity relates to more effective planning for the good of all communities, but particularly those who may be disadvantaged. Community planning is therefore inherently about equality matters although at times this still needs to be made explicit to avoid a broad brush or universal approach to all.
“A policy focus on redistribution that fails to account for and subsequently address, barriers to access, barriers to use and barriers to opportunities, will effectively act in limiting the impact of any redistribution for many people. This approach contradicts the overall emphasis on the Scottish Government’s ‘outcome-focussed’ approach.”
The Scottish Parliament – Finance Committee Report Annexe F (2008)
A universal approach is not always appropriate as can be seen from different participation rates and differentiated outcomes. Mainstreaming should begin by examining the service and asking who it is intended to reach. If the answer is everyone, a quick look at monitoring data or even a traffic survey of current clients will show to what extent this is being bourne out in reality. There may be a variety of reasons for this: information about the service is not being appropriately targeted, the service itself is not appropriate or accessible. Whatever the reason, more detailed attempts to clarify will be needed.
Developing a better understanding of the CPP’s role and functions and how equality relates to this agenda will provide a useful starting point. The statement produced in 2007 by the three statutory equality commissions in Scotland at that time provided a clear statement. It was largely based on current guidance both from the statutory bodies as well as from COSLA.
The process of embedding equality required within a mainstreaming approach takes time. There is in many respects a value in taking such a long view, particularly as the equality agenda has changed and will continue to change over the next few years.
A number of partnerships have or are developing a more structured approach which helps set out an approach to meeting equality requirements and delivery an evidence-based equality agenda (see below).
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BOXED EXAMPLE Equality Statement of Intent Equality Statements of Intent are becoming more common amongst CPPs. They can provide an agreed approach on equality matters and a common sense of purpose for partnerships not directly covered by the equality duties but keen to contribute in a co-ordinated and therefore more effective manner. The statement can use the following sections to outline the main elements and then make reference to further detailed items as necessary: • Principles • Commitment • Definitions • Approach • Resources • Legal Context • Next steps A full version of this model statement see appendix two. |
Further Support
www.scotland.gov.uk/mainstreaming/?pageid=403
The Scottish Government’s website provides a wealth of reference and sources in support of mainstreaming equality
The new Equality and Human Rights Commission’s website provides a link to archived reports, guidance and research from the three former statutory bodies (CRE, DRC and EOC) as well as a body of current guidance and links
Mainstreaming Equality Issues SPICE Briefing 2003
Although published a few years ago, still a useful overview of mainstreaming and the policy approach to implementation. Also contains reference to related sources.
3 MAKING A DIFFERENCE: taking action to change lives
3.1 Setting the Scene
As for any other activity, resources devoted to putting equality into practice need to show that they are making a real difference to people’s lives.
This approach is supported by the single outcome agreement being developed as well as the Equality Review’s encouragement to focus on tangible outcomes for communities. It is also reflected in current COSLA guidance provided in Appendix Three.
The three relevant elements for planning: outcomes, related indicators and targets can, if used effectively, provide a clear framework for making a difference for all communities. For equality, the same approach can be taken. Using the range of evidence sources already identified, CPPs will be able to demonstrate progress in promoting equality and challenging discrimination and disadvantage.
3.2 Recognising Equality within Broader Intentions
Whatever national and local priorities are established, they are likely to remain focused on the bigger themes running through people’s lives: education, training, employment, health, safety etc. The outcomes attached to these priorities are also likely to remain at a universal level e.g. numbers moving out of unemployment.
Where the focus is on the concerns and issues affecting people, (unemployment, ill-health, access to services, indebtedness, fear of crime etc) there will almost certainly be issues of equality to address. National level evidence and where available local data, can already help us to identify priorities based on scales of relevance i.e. no evidence of adverse impact to a lot of evidence.
To ensure that planned activity is benefiting all targeted sections of the community appropriately, and to comply with equality legislation, associated Equality Performance Measurements will need to be in place.
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CHECKLIST Equality and Stated Outcomes • What are we trying to achieve for the target population? e.g. Reduced number of unemployed people Improved mental health and well-being Improved S4 pupil attainment Increased opportunities for young people to participate in local decision-making Increased access to income and mainstream financial products • How do different equality groups experience this priority issue? e.g. Is there evidence or reason to believe that some equality groups could be differently impacted How much evidence is there e.g. consultation results, research, complaints, monitoring Is there any evidence of public concern about this service in relation to equality • Are there any issues we are seeking to address for any particular equality group that would contribute to this outcome? e.g. Health needs assessment show increased incidence of depression amongst elderly Asian women Consultation with LGBT intermediaries identify concerns over responses to hate crime • How will we know if we have achieved this outcome for all, including equality groups? e.g. Are monitoring systems robust enough to provide sufficient information What additional steps need to be taken and by whom What other methods of evaluation have been identified and will they produce disaggregated information relating to equality groups |
3.3 Activities to Consider
A number of activities can assist in supporting equality related outcomes along with supporting indicators and targets:
• An Equality Impact Assessment of planning processes e.g. the community plan or single outcome agreement provides a logical starting point. The introduction of any new plan should in any event be seen as an opportunity to consider an impact assessment.
If there is already evidence available to populate any impact assessment, this should be used to assist the internal assessment team as well as any external advisers and community consultees when considering options.
• Equality proofing agreed outcomes using approach outlined above
• Equality proofing generic activity such as satisfaction surveys and client feedback to include disaggregated equality information
• For equality strands with insufficient baseline information, there will perhaps be a need to take output measures as indicators of progress. These will necessarily harden into measurable impacts as evidence comes available and understanding improves so that partnerships can better articulate what they are trying to achieve for all communities and equality groups within them.
• Ensure that planning reflects both the need for on-going evidence gathering and analysis along with action resulting from analysis.
• Take stock of the overall equality balance within the plan. Each equality strand should be reflected across activity but not necessarily automatically duplicated in each. Remember to focus on what the evidence and communities are telling you, what needs are you trying to address. This should provide the partnership with an overview of its response on equality matters, providing the basis for public reporting duties as well as scrutiny purposes. Consider:
1. How the different equality strands are covered
2. Is there a balance between internal (process driven) and external (delivering change in the community) activity
3. Does the approach present a viable response to the equality requirements
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INFORMATION BOX Equality Related Outcomes Outcomes should ideally relate to the overall objective of the activity for all participants i.e. there will be a fewer unemployed women of working age OR if monitoring systems are still not up to this standard, we will deliver xx number of sessions involving xxx number of women on incapacity benefits explaining their routes back to work. Equality outcomes might relate to equalising access, reducing over or under-representation, addressing identified unmet needs Equality outcomes might relate to getting foundation measures in place such as the right information and evidence, key processes such as effective monitoring systems or consultative mechanisms, engagement channels with a specific community What is clear, is that effective performance management requires a robust system of data collection, combining both effective monitoring systems and research programme (quantitative and qualitative sources of evidence). Alternative examples of measuring meaningful change Can be seen emerging from two broad areas: service use and client/non-client experience and can form the basis of outcome related indicators: • Service monitoring data • Periodic customer satisfaction surveys • Regular feedback mechanisms • Customer complaints • Periodic surveys/monitoring where all activity is monitored closely over a four week period • Use of intermediary agencies to provide feedback and other information • Longitundinal research which CPPs might be best placed to co-ordinate across an area • Snap shot studies repeated over time |
3.4 Adding Detail to the Plan
The stated outcomes of any plan will need to be supported by related indicators and targets both of which will rely on available evidence: both quantitative and qualitative data.
In relation to equality matters, the same range of issues applies as mentioned earlier: the adequacy of disaggregated data (from monitoring or surveys) and the availability of qualitative data from research, focus groups and feedback in one form or another.
Where systems to support the collection and analysis of disaggregated data are missing or weak, the introduction of such underpinning processes may in itself form the basis of an equality outcome and related indicator.
Whilst these measures are pursued, further development might involve the use of output indicators. These should be seen as bridging or interim measures whilst underpinning processes are put in place and become productive.
“While outcome measures do provide a more meaningful basis for evaluating the equality impact of public expenditure in Scotland, they are not enough on their own. Developing appropriate outcomes and methods of measuring them isa long-term process and should occur in parallel with the continued use of input/output analysis in recognition that outcome measures will play an increasingly important role in determining resource allocation.”
The Scottish Parliament – Finance Committee Report Annexe F (2008)
The use of interim indicators and of data that comes with a stated “health warning” (e.g. these figures are taken from a small sample size, these figures are for the occupancy of training places for 6 months only, these are derived from focus group discussions with a total of 43 people) should not be seen as a barrier, but a productive route to go down in providing a sense of direction of travel. Equality still needs to be progressed and CPPs will need to assess how best to demonstrate that this is happening.
The absence of sufficiently robust baseline data for outcome-related targets should not necessarily be seen as a barrier, providing as it does an opportunity to develop an effective system across services, thus adding value in a way that was anticipated for the CPP network. Where data is not sufficiently robust use of non-numerical milestones that can be used to identify progress, this might again reflect outputs or be based on more qualitative results.
BOXED EXAMPLE Targets and baselines Baselines are usually seen in universal terms: number of crimes, number of unemployed young people, pupil attainment at S4, resident satisfaction with area. There may be some data systems coming on stream and other forms of evidence being developed, but in the meantime, CPPs should be able to get some sense of progress by being creative with what they already have available. Figures tell us that the unemployed rate in our area is 4% of the working population. The Census shows that 10% of Pakistani males was unemployed. Across CPP area of benefit, training places offered to people of Pakistani origin represented just 1% of the total. We therefore can assume that we need to increase participation on our training courses over the next year and can set a numerical target according. We had very few young women on the training course last year and no one from an ethnic minority background. We will therefore look to target these two groups through school and careers contacts over the coming months. Using throughput figures alone we will assess progress on participation against local population statistics. A local health needs assessment identified some 30% unemployed young men suffering bouts of depression. Local service providers report widespread under-representation of young men taking up services. Outreach support and a leafleting campaign will be used to achieve an increase in absolute numbers over the next three years. Last year we gave debt advice to 450 clients 22 of whom had a disability. Census returns show that 15% of the population have a long-term limiting illness as opposed to the figure for our clients of just under 5%. Finally, with no baseline data and no other evidence available, look to dialogue with intermediary organisations to identify priorities and then look to establish a combination of outcome, output and related indicators to help provide a sense of progress. OR compare the participation % of an equality group to the % of an average participation rate for the target group. The gap -/+ will form the basis of a benchmark for estimated or interim targets. |
Further support
Developing Local Outcome Agreements for the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund Scottish Executive 2004
Provides a solid generic approach to developing local outcomes
Scottish Centre for Regeneration
Again a lot of good detail on planning with some specific relevance to equalities
Scottish Executive Equality Impact Assessment Toolkit
The approach to impact assessment at government level. Examples of previous assessments are published on the Scottish Government website
Argyll and Bute Council
Equality Impact Assessment Toolkit
Useful example of a rural authority’s approach to impact assessment
Detailed toolkit published as something of a template for all health board areas.
