Integrated Equality Impact Assessments
Integrated Equality Impact Assessments (IEIAs) help us consider whether certain groups may be affected differently by the way we deliver our services. Where there is a risk of disadvantage, we aim to reduce or remove it, whilst also promoting equality and good relations—ensuring fair and equal access for all. SDS’ IEIA brings together requirements and good practice from the following pieces of legislation:
- Equality Impact Assessments: The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 requires SDS and other public bodies to conduct an Equality Impact Assessment of new and revised policies, services and practices.
- Island Community Impact Assessments: The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 states that SDS and other public bodies ‘must have regard to island communities in carrying out its functions’.
- Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessments: whilst not a requirement in law, the inclusion of this impact assessment helps us to ensure that we are considering the rights of the child in line with the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024
- We also consider the impact of our policy or practice on Care Experienced people, given our role as a Corporate Parent in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.
By completing IEIAs and progressing actions which are identified during this process, we can be confident that our policies and the services have considered certain groups/protected groups and are as inclusive as possible.
Further information on our commitments regarding the groups covered within our IEIAs can be found in the following reports:
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Report 2023