Equalities and diversity

We carry out equality analysis on the Council's services and functions, policies and procedures as part of the work on the Equality Framework for Local Government. This includes existing policies, new policies or those which are being changed.

What is equality analysis?

It has replaced equality impact assessments and is a systematic way to ensure that policies, services and procedures do not have an adverse impact on a particular group of people due to their gender, sexuality, religion or belief, race, age, gender identity or because they are disabled people or have caring responsibilities.

Or in the case of new or changing policies, a potential adverse impact. In other words, are our policies and procedures meeting our customers' needs and meeting our legal obligations. The idea is to identify any unintended impacts or institutional barriers that affect individuals and communities detrimentally.

Additionally the equality analysis considers if there will be any potential positive impacts of the policy or service on groups of people in Rotherham, or any ways in which the policy will actively promote equality or good community relations.

The results are used to set equality objectives that become part of business plans, leading to improvements to services and employment practices.

They might also show that we need more information about our customers and service users, for example through monitoring or consultation.

Completed assessments and analyses

You can read a summary of an assessment or analysis by clicking on the name of the policy or procedure from the index list in the summary documents, organised broadly on a directorate basis, which can be viewed in the Downloads Area.