London Borough of Barking and Dagenham : Equality Impact Assessment

We were commissioned by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD) to conduct training and workshops to introduce Equality Impact Assessments to staff and work towards embedding its EqIA processes throughout the Council.

LBBD wanted the training to sell impact assessments to ensure commitment from managers and the Borough’s staff. The aim of the training was to help participants to understand every stage of conducting impact assessment as well as equipping them with the knowledge to go back to their departments and think about how they could incorporate equality impact assessments in to their day to day work. We also made reference to all equality strands, anticipating forthcoming legislation.

Having met with key managers, we agreed objectives and identified relevant information by reviewing literature in particular understanding LBBD and its impact assessment methods. This consultation offered a useful opportunity to gather views about the Borough’s work and any ideas as to how this could be further developed.

We developed and delivered tailor-made training which allowed participants to refresh their understanding of equality impact assessment and to consider key data and research which they might use as part of assessments – including research into the experiences of minority groups within the borough. We also provided pre-course reading to ensure that participants were able to use the session to focus on the practical aspects of assessment.

The training enabled participants to:

• Understand the legislative context of equality impact assessment;
• Understand a systematic process for equality impact assessment;
• Sample different parts of the process through case studies and activities; and
• Undertake action planning in relation to their own area of responsibility.

The training and awareness of equality impact assessment also enabled participants to identify actual and potential inequalities in outcomes. This give them an opportunity to consider other ways of achieving their aims, helping to produce better policies and services.