Equality and Diversity

Equality Impact Assessment

What is it?

An Equality Impact Assessment is a formal process of identifying potential or actual negative impact of a policy or procedure on groups of staff and students and doing something about it.

Why we must do it

We are required by law to carry out and publish Equality Impact Assessments of all existing and new policies, practices and plans. This is so that we can meet our public duties to promote:

• equality of opportunity
• good relations between groups
• positive attitudes towards different groups.

A planned process of identifying any negative impact of our policies on groups of staff or students is one way of showing that we are carrying out our public duties and therefore complying with the law.

Our approach

Equality Impact Assessments are a process. They need to happen for each policy every three years. They are best carried out by people who understand and work with the policy. All service areas and schools are therefore required to have staff trained as impact assessors. We have developed our own equality impact assessment guidance and assessment form and have trained staff members as assessors.

Consultation and data management

We cannot know the impact of a policy without information. There are two important sources of information:

• equality monitoring data
• consultation.

Information about, for example, disability, race, sexual orientation of staff and students will help to identify whether there is any negative impact of a policy in practice. Once we have made a judgement based on evidence, we must then consult with those most affected by the policy to see if they agree.

Who is responsible?

The Equality and Diversity Team is responsible for coordinating the University's approach, training and supporting staff to carry out assessments. Heads of Service and Deans are responsible for implementation.

Who carries the assessments out?

Equality Impact Assessments are a process. They need to happen for each policy every three years. They are best carried out by people who understand and work with the policy. All service areas and schools are therefore required to have staff trained as impact assessors. We have developed our own Equality Impact Assessment Guidance , Assessment Form , and trained staff members as assessors.