Introduction
The Equality Act 2010 asks public bodies to consider the effect they will have on equality communities (known as Protected Characteristics within the legislation) when they change or do something differently.
This could be a change to how service is provided, a change to how people access a service, a new policy or change to a policy.
What an Equality Impact Assessment is
Most public bodies record this consideration through an Equality Impact Assessment. The Equality Impact Assessment should identify what is being assessed, who could be affected by this change and what data has been used to assess any impact that has been identified.
The main purpose of an equality impact assessment is to identify any negative and positive impacts on communities protected by equality legislation, maintain and improve how communities get along with one another and make sure that opportunities for protected communities are the same as for those not protected.
Where there are any negative impacts identified then action should be identified to reduce or remove these completely.
Contact the team
Corporate Equality Team
Somerset Council,
County Hall,
Taunton
TA1 4DY
Phone 0300 123 2224
Email equalities@somerset.gov.uk
Impact assessments completed
All impact assessments will form part of the decision making process of the council and individual assessments can be found as part of the relevant individual committee reports.
These can be found using the Committees, agendas and minutes page.
