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The importance and value of Customer and Equality Impact Assessments

What is an Equality Impact Assessment?

It is the process of systematically analysing a proposed or existing policy or strategy to identify what effect, or likely effect, will follow from its implementation for different groups in the community.

Equality Impact Assessments can be used to anticipate and identify the equality consequences of particular policy initiatives and ensure that as far as possible any negative consequences for a particular group or sector of the community are eliminated, minimised or counterbalanced by other measures.

Why undertake Customer and Equality Impact Assessments?

It is necessary if we are to deliver our own ambitious equalities agenda for the Borough

Impact assessments will help us drive forward the equalities agenda locally and with our service delivery partners. The benefits of carrying out impact assessment include:

• Helping to identify whether we are excluding certain groups from any of our services

• Helping to identify direct or indirect discrimination

• Assisting us in considering alternative policies or measures that might address any adverse impact

• Helping to mainstream equality in our policies and practices

• Helping us to target resources more effectively