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Local Government Equality Standard

What is the Equality Standard for Local Government?
The Equality Standard for Local Government sets out a generic framework for local authorities like Portsmouth County Council to mainstream and effectively audit equality across service areas and through which legal obligations to anti-discrimination laws can be met.
This requirement also contributes towards assisting the authority in developing a quality service to its diverse citizens.

From where did the Equality Standard originate?
The Equality Standard for local government in England was established in 2001 through a partnership between the Commission for Racial Equality, the Disability Rights Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the DIALOG unit of the Employers’ Organisation for local government, with advicefrom the Audit Commission.

Revised in 2006 following a major review, the Standard has been extended to address six equality strands: age, disability, gender, race, religion/belief and sexual orientation. Since the original Standard was developed, new public sector duties have been introduced for race, disability and gender. The Standard works alongside these public sector duties to promote excellence in the management of equality outcomes.

What does the Equality Standard involve?
Through its five level framework, the Equality Standard for Local Government acts as a guide seeking to encourage a local response to local circumstances while securing continuous improvement. Targets applicable to each level need to be achieved before an authority can move on to the next level.

The 5 levels are as follows:

Level 1 – Commitment to a comprehensive equality policy
Level 2 – Assessment and community engagement
Level 3 – Setting equality objectives and targets
Level 4 – Information systems and monitoring against targets
Level 5 – Achieving and reviewing outcomes

The commitments made in each level of the Equality Standard translate into action in four substantive areas:

Leadership and Corporate commitment
Consultation and community development and scrutiny
Service delivery and customer care
Employment and training

What is the County Council doing?
Compliance with the statutory duties imposed by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 will help Portsmouth City Council to develop a more comprehensive system for integrating broader equality issues - like the Equality Standard.

This will entail the work currently being undertaken or planned in the areas of gender, disability and sexual orientation being incorporated into the broader framework of the Equality Standard. The Race Equality Scheme has provided the County Council with a framework for progressing and implementing the Equality Standard for Local Government.

The standard represents a tool that can bring about real change and break down discriminatory barriers. This can only be achieved through active engagement in the processes it sets out.

The standard builds on the principles of quality, leadership and community involvement and its successful implementation within Portsmouth City Council will depend on a partnership between the council and the community and will require:

Councillors

To provide leadership and support
To ensure resources are available
To engage with the local community
To provide a scrutiny role

Managers/staff/trade unions

To work towards speedy implementation
To organise and participate in training
To challenge existing cultures and traditions
To engage with the community

Community/Voluntary sector

To work with the equality planning process
To participate in scrutiny
To extend knowledge of the Equality Standard within the community

Portsmouth County Council, at all levels of the organisation, is committed to working within the Equality Standard framework, so it is able to clearly demonstrate it commitment to ensure equally accessible, appropriate and sensitive service provision.

Associated documents:

The Equality Standard Essentials (0.02 MB)

The Equality Standard (0.26 MB)

The Equality Standard Level 1-Commitment to a Comprehensive Equality Policy (0.03 MB)

The Equality Standard Level 2-Assessment and Consultation (0.03 MB)

The Equality Standard Level 3-Setting Equality Objectives and Targets (0.03 MB)

The Equality Standard Level 4-Information Systems and Monitoring Against Targets (0.03 MB)

The Equality Standard Level 5-Achieving and Reviewing Outcomes (0.03 MB)