Impact Assessments

Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs)

Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs) help us understand how new proposals or changes affect different groups, especially those who might be disadvantaged.

EqIAs ensure that we:

• Understand the impact on different groups within our community or workforce.
• Prevent or mitigate potential negative impacts and reduce disadvantage.
• Meet our legal, moral, and business requirements regarding Equality and Human Rights.
• Enhance transparency and accountability in our decision-making processes.

EqIAs drive fairness and good practice in all we do.

How we assess the impacts of proposals and policies

We assess impacts of proposals and policies through EqIAs. This process helps us to understand how different groups might be affected, identify any potential negative impacts, and what steps we can take to mitigate them. We gather stakeholder feedback to continuously improve our proposals and our assessments cover the nine protected characteristics of the Equality Act, as well as considering socio-economic disadvantages, and care-experienced individuals.

Equality Impact Assessment Training

You can find the latest training on iLearn by searching for Equality Impact Assessment in the search bar at the top of the page. This course is designed to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively conduct EqIAs. You can review each section of the training for guidance and support while completing your EqIA.

You can find the most up to date Equality Impact Assessment template and guidance here.

Island Communities Impact Assessments

Orkney Islands Council has a statutory duty, in accordance with Section 7 of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, to have regard to island communities in carrying out its functions. In practical terms this means:

• We must prepare an Island Communities Impact Assessment (an ICIA) in relation to a policy, strategy, or service which, in our opinion, is likely to have an effect on an island community which is significantly different from its effect on other communities (including other island communities) in Orkney.
• If we don't prepare an ICIA in relation to a relevant policy, strategy, or service, we must publish an explanation of our reasons for not doing so.
• The Council must make arrangements to review any policy, strategy or service which it develops or delivers in carrying out its functions, not just new ones. It should do this either by means of an ICIA or by taking such other steps as it considers appropriate.

The Council must publish information about the steps it has taken to comply with the Section 7 duty during each reporting period.

How to find our Impact Assessments

To search for any of our impact assessments, type IA into the search bar on the home page of the Orkney Islands Council website. You can tailor your search by including a policy or document title.