Equality & Inclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Community Inclusion and why does it matter?
What does the term 'discrimination' mean?
What does the term 'disadvantaged' mean?
What is the Equality Standard for Local Government?
What is 'Equality Impact Assessment'?
What is the Key Legislation affecting Equality and Inclusion?
What does the term ‘discrimination’ mean?
Individuals and institutions can discriminate, either deliberately or unwittingly, by treating a person less favourably than another is treated in similar circumstances - often on the basis of a single factor such as race, disability or age.
What does the term ‘disadvantaged’ mean?
Disadvantage. Occurs when people have significant difficulties in obtaining information, goods or services per se or cannot do so on the same basis as other individuals or groups because of the circumstances they find themselves in. These might include: being unemployed or on a low income, where people live, having a chronic or long-term illness (including mental illness), not having a car or being able to use public transport, poor literacy and numeracy skills, or no access to the Internet. Often, it is a combination of difficult circumstances that produces disadvantage.
What is ‘Equality Impact Assessment’?
Impact assessment is a way of systematically assessing the effects that a proposed policy or service is likely to have on people from different customer groups including different ethnic groups.
The assessment may also include monitoring the actual effects of the policy or service when it is put into practice and being alert to any concerns about the way it is (or is not) working. It will also require gathering data about the Council’s customers – using appropriate monitoring of services and the ‘channels’* via which customers access services and information about services, policies and plans - and on the make-up of the local population.
The main purpose of impact assessment is to (a) ensure that existing services, policies and strategies are not discriminating against or disadvantaging any customer groups and (b) pre-empt the possibility that a proposed new or changed policy, service could affect some customer groups unfavourably. The 5-stage process works as follows:
Stage 1: involves screening existing policies and services to see if they are relevant to race equality. (Subsequently, any new policies and services that are proposed will be automatically screened, as will any significant changes to existing policies and services.)
Stage 2: involves prioritising the impact assessment – if one is needed.
Stage 3: involves a detailed assessment of policies and services where discrimination or disadvantage is or may be taking place.
Stage 4: involves identifying and planning improvements.
Stage 5: involves first validating and then publishing the results of the process.
* These include the website, Fareham Today, other publications, and the Customer Service Centre as well as visiting the Civic Offices.
What is the Key Legislation affecting Equality and Inclusion?
Race Equality Scheme Consultation
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