Download Equality Impact Assessment - Test Valley Borough Council

Equality Impact Assessment
Equality Impact Assessments will be carried out whenever you plan, change or remove a
service, strategy, policy, project or function. Equality impact assessments can help to achieve
the following:

increased participation with customers

more transparency in policy and service development

a more proactive approach to the promotion of equality

prioritise expenditure in an efficient and fair way

make decisions that are justified, evidenced and relevant
Impact assessments should be carried out as soon as a relevant new strategy, policy,
function, project, plan or procedure is considered. It should be an integral part of policy
development.
The purpose of an EQIA is to assess and record the potential impact of a service, strategy,
policy, project or function on residents and staff. It can help us to deliver excellent services by
making sure that these reflect the needs of the community. The process involves anticipating
the potential positive and negative consequences (impacts) and putting plans in place to
make sure that any negative impacts are eliminated or minimised, and that any opportunities
for promoting equality are maximised.
What do we mean by ‘impact’?
The assessment looks at two possible impacts:
a)
negative, adverse or unhelpful impact, effect or limitation – this is where the
impact could disadvantage one or more of the protected groups. The impact may be
differential, i.e. the negative impact on one particular group is greater than on another.
Negative impacts may be unintentional; they may also be unlawful.
b)
positive or helpful impact or effect – this is where the impact has a positive effect on
one or more of the protected groups, and/or where the impact improves relations
between groups or improves equal opportunities. The positive impact may also be
differential, i.e. the effect on one particular group is greater than on another. Please
bear in mind that we are always allowed to treat disabled people more favourably than
other groups.
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The ‘protected characteristics’ are:
Age – a person belonging to a particular age (eg. 18 year olds) or a range of ages (e.g. 18 –
30 year olds).
Disability – a person has a disability if (s)he has a physical or mental impairment which has a
substantial and long term adverse affect on that person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day
activities.
Gender reassignment – the process of transitioning from one gender to another.
Marriage and civil partnership – marriage is defined as a ‘union between a man and a
woman’. Same sex couples can have their relationships legally recognised as ‘civil
partnerships’. Civil partners must be treated the same as married couples on a wide range of
legal matters.
Pregnancy and maternity – pregnancy is the condition of being pregnant or expecting a
baby. Maternity refers to the period after the birth, and is linked to maternity leave in the
employment context. In the non-work context, protection against maternity discrimination is for
26 weeks after giving birth, and this includes treating a woman unfavourably because she is
breastfeeding.
Race – refers to a group of people defined by their race, colour and nationality (including
citizenship) ethnic or national origins.
Religion or belief – religion has the meaning usually given to it but belief includes religious
and philosophical beliefs including a lack of belief (e.g. atheism). Generally, a belief should
affect your life choices or the way you live to be included in the definition.
Sex – a man or a woman.
Sexual orientation – whether a person’s sexual attraction is towards their own sex, the
opposite sex or to both sexes.
Other characteristics important to Test Valley:
Socio-economic – overall the borough is not deprived, but there are areas where there are
high levels of deprivation, economic inactivity and low education achievement.
Rural isolation – Test Valley is a rural area and this can affect access to services and some
people’s ability to take advantage of opportunities available.
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Key points to remember:

Don’t do it on your own!

EQIAs are supposed to be challenging but not over-complicated

Use common sense and be proportionate

Look at the strategy, policy, function, project, plan or procedure from the perspective of
the person/people affected by it.

Lack of data is not a reason to halt or not complete the process - find out if research or
data already exists, or consult directly with representatives of relevant groups or
specialist organisations.

The process isn’t a 'last minute check' - develop plans that include time to make
changes to a project, strategy or policy as identified by the EQIA.

Know your customers, their needs and the barriers they face

Avoid focusing on one issue or protected groups; look at the demographics of your area
and your service users

Remember to look for the positive as well as the negative

EQIA should be part of the development process – don’t leave it until the Committee
report deadline
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Equality Impact Assessment
Service:
Housing and Environmental Health
Date:
11 May 2016
Name of service, strategy, policy, project or function being
assessed:
Preventing Homelessness Strategy 2016-2019
1.
What are the aims, objectives, outcomes, purpose of the
service, strategy, policy, project or function that you are
assessing?
It is a statutory duty for each local authority to have a
Homelessness Strategy and for this to be reviewed at least every
5 years. A review of homelessness services in Test Valley took
place between July 2015 and March 2016. This has resulted in
the production of Test Valley’s Preventing Homelessness Strategy
2016-2019.
The Council is required to consider housing needs within their
areas, including the needs of homeless households and have
statutory duties to ensure that advice and assistance to
households who are homeless or threatened with homelessness
is available free of charge.
Under The Homelessness Act 2002 local housing authorities must
have a strategy for preventing homelessness in their district. The
strategy must apply to everyone at risk of homelessness, not just
those who may fall within a priority need group. Authorities are
also encouraged to take steps to relieve homelessness in cases
where someone is found to be homeless but is not owed a duty to
secure accommodation under the homelessness legislation.
The Council is legally required to carry out a homelessness review
in their district and to formulate and publish a Homelessness
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Strategy based on the results of the review at least every five
years.
The aim of the Homelessness Strategy is to ensure that
individuals, copules and families affected by homelessness will
have simple and effective access to a range of housing services
and other opportunities.
The strategy sets out the key challenges and priorities relating to
homelessness that need to be addressed in Test Valley. The
priorities identified are our statutory duty, which includes families,
some young people, pregnant women and some vulnerable single
people with drug and alcohol issues and ex-offenders
Aims of the Homelessnes Strategy
a) Building on existing services
b) Ensuring that housing related support arrangements for the
most vulnerable are safeguarded
c) Supporting
people
to
access
suitable
alternative
accommodation
d) Increased use of the Private Rented Sector
e) Building and maintaining effective partnership working
f) Supporting a successful welfare reform transition in Test
Valley.
2.
Who implements or delivers the service, strategy, policy,
project or function?
State if this is delivered by more than one service or
team, including any external partners.
Alabare – Test Valley Foyer, Andover Crisis and Support Centre,
Andover and Romsey Citizen’s Advice Bureaux, Andover Young
Mums Matter, Chapter 1 - Young People’s Hostel, Children And
Adult Services, Community Mental Health Team, Child and
Adolescence Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Inclusion – Drug
and Alcohol Service, Department of Work and Pensions (DWP),
Domestic Abuse Services , Community Support – Two Saints,
HOPE Churches, Leaving Care Team , National Landlords
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Association, Private Landlords and Letting Agencies , Probation
Service and Youth Offending Teams , Registered Providers,
Sanctuary Housing Association - Bridge House, Supported
Families and Transform , Hampshire County Council Prevention
and Early Intervention, Test Valley Community Services, Trinity
Food Bank , Two Saints - Dene Court Resettlement Hostel,
Credit Union, Victim Support Services, Young Carers, Yelow
Brick Road, Youth in Romsey, Youth Support Service
3.
Who will be affected by the service, strategy, policy,
project or function?
Residents of the bororugh, customers seeking housing options ,
households threatened with homelessness, households in
temporary accommodation and customers requiring housing
advice.
4.
What are the likely positive impacts for the protected
groups (see above)?
There were a number of positive impacts of the strategy that were
identified during assessment.The EQIA makes general reference
to vulnerable people needing support, there is specific reference
made to some of the proptected characteristics groups.
Are any particular groups more affected and why?

The Council will meet its statutory duties

The strategy makes specific provisions for those who find
themselves homeless or individuals at risk of homelessness

Specialist support will help to address the specific needs of
homeless people

“No Second Night out” and SWEP arrangements and outreach
services will help to address rough sleeping in the borough.
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
Community support, outreach services and Hubs and prevention
work is seen as positive and helps prevent people from becoming
homeless.

The Strategy recognises the importance of education and training
in helping people out of homelessness.

Mediation is seen as an important part of prevention.

On-going staff training is important to help officers assess the
needs of individuals and complete assessments accurately.
Age
16-17 year olds and care leavers - specific mention who are
protected by homeless legislation and joint working protocol with
Children’s Services and have access to accommodation and
community support services. .
Disabilities
The Allocation scheme and homeless duties, which forms part of
the strategy gives priority to people who are experiencing ill health
or need to move on medical grounds.
Pregnancy and Maternity
Women may need to access accommodation as a result of
becoming homeless. There is a variety of temporary and
permanent housing available.
Partnership with Young Mums project, pre tenancy course and
prioirty is given to pregnant women
Sex
People may need to access services as result of domestic
violence. The Andover Crsis and Support Centre is a community
based service providing advice and accommodation for women
suffering domestic abuse. The Council ac tively participates and
supports the MARAC process in Test Valley and needs of
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households at risk of DA.
Others
Support is provided and targeted to help customers with limited
budgets and those claiming benefits.
Home visiting service, Supported Housing Officers with specific
responsibilities for vulnerable households with disabilities, mental
health and drug and alcohol issues.
5.
What are the likely negative impacts for the protected
groups (see above)?
Accessing council offices and services in a rural area.
Are any particular groups affected more and why?
6.
What consultation and engagement has taken place (or
is planned) with the affected groups and other interested
parties?
The development of the strategy has been based on consultation
with key Stakeholders, voluntary agencvies and service users.
Stakeholder workshop event in July 2015.
Feedback from face to face interviews with service users at the
Junction Road hostel in Andover, Two Saints Direct Access
Hostel at Dene Court in Andover , Andover Crisis and Suport
Centr and the Young Mums Matter project on their experiences
whilst homeless and what improvements could be made to service
delivery.
Potential impacts identified by stakeholders and service users.

Welfare Reforms will mean that more people will be threatened
with homelessness.

Possible reductions in funding will have the biggest impact on
single homeless people.
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
7.
What plans do you have in place, or are developing, to
mitigate the likely negative impacts, i.e. how will you
reduce the impact on the protected groups?
There will be an increase in the number of people with complex
issues to address.
Information and access to services - Mitigated by providing
advice and housing options information on line, apply for housing
on line, and Traige Service.
Outreach services to supported housing projects and Community
Hubs. .
Big word facilities can be used for translating both written and
spoken word.
Service level agreement with Hampshire County Council Gypsy
and Travellers Service.
8.
Please summarise or provide links to the information,
data, research used in this assessment
Pie national homelessness statistics and information provided
through Abritas IT system and Council’s Finance Service.
What course of action does this EQIA suggest that you take? (tick one of the following options)
Outcome 1: No major change required
The EQIA has not identified any potential for discrimination or adverse impact and all opportunities to promote
equality have been taken.
X
Out come 2: Adjust the policy to remove barriers identified by the EQIA or better promote equality. Are you
satisfied that the policy adjustments will remove the barriers identified?
Outcome 3: Continue the policy despite potential for adverse impact or missed opportunities to promote equality
idenitified. You should ensure that the EQIA clearly sets out the justifications for continuing with the policy. You
should consider whether there are sufficient plans to reduce negative impact and/or plans to monitor the actual
impact
Outcome 4: Stop and rethink the policy when the EQIA shows actual or potential unlawful discrimination
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Summary of your proposals – copy and paste into any report for Cabinet, Council or General Purposes Committee
What are the key impacts – positive and negative?
What course of action are you advising as a result of this EQIA?
Are there any particular groups affected more than others?
Text here.
Head of Service sign off (name): Brian Cowcher
Date: 11/05/2016
Comments or any action required:
Critical Friends Group - date:
Carol Ruddle and Brian Cowcher
Equality Group - date:
Published on TV Screen and website – date:
May 2016
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