Equality Framework for Local Government (EFLG)
What is the EFLG?
The Equality Framework for Local Government (EFLG) is a national
standard that assesses Local Authorities progress in
delivering equality of opportunity to all and addressing
discrimination, so that it is a part of everything we
do. The EFLG also helps us assess our progress through
providing guidelines for action that should be taken to meet
various standards.
This Council is committed to reaching ‘Achieving’ status of the
EFLG by December 2009. However, due to being unable to attain a
Peer Assessment for December, the Council is now working towards
reaching ‘Achieving’ status by February 2010. In reaching
‘Achieving’ status of the EFLG we are aiming for Level 2 of a three
level assessment.
In practice, ‘Achieving’ status would translate into a number of
positive characteristics, some of which are:
-
Setting stretching equality priorities in consultation with
partners in the public, voluntary and community sectors, which are
reflected in the sustainable community and other relevant
strategies.
-
Undertaken equality mapping and have a good understanding of its
communities, including the extent of inequality and disadvantage,
and have used the information to inform corporate and service
priorities.
-
Using Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs) to review all major
corporate and service changes in policy and regularly conduct
service and employment EqIAs.
-
Setting appropriate objectives to address persistent ‘equality
gaps’ related to areas of inequality for service delivery; based on
impact assessments and consultation with internal and external
stakeholders and partners.
Areas of assessment
The EFLG assesses Local Authorities against five areas of
performance, which are:
1. Knowing your communities and equality
mapping
It is important to understand differences
within communities. This aspect of the EFLG will provide the
evidential basis for other work on community cohesion and customer
care, and will mean the Council commits to evidence-based policy in
relation to work on equalities.
2. Place shaping, leadership,
partnership and organisational commitment
Narrowing
equality gaps and improving the life chances of different groups
will require a pooling of evidence, resources and action planning
through the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP). This aspect of
the EFLG assesses how the information on needs of different
communities and equality gaps informs strategic
priorities.
3. Community engagement and
satisfaction
This area assesses the Councils
involvement of groups who may experience disadvantage and
inequality in decision making as well as service and workforce
planning, and supporting them to achieve the levels of choice,
autonomy and improved outcomes that other citizens enjoy.
4. Responsive services and
customer care
This section will assess how the
Council works to personalise services to meet the needs of people
with different backgrounds and ensure fair access. Of particular
importance will be a robust process for equality impact assessments
(EqIAs) and the implementation of action plans, equality proofing
procurement and commissioning and monitoring access.
5. A modern and diverse
workforce
This section will assess whether data on
the local labour market and equality ‘gaps’ informs the setting of
equality employment objectives, whether all major HR policies are
equality impact assesses, and if training and development
programmes address equality issues.
The Councils EFLG Peer Challenge
During the 4th and 5th February the Council will be
undergoing its own EFLG Peer Challenge, where trained
asserssors from other Local Authorities will be assessing
whether we have met the criteria to meet Level 2 of
the EFLG.
As part of our EFLG Assessment the Council has written a
Narrative
Report (with Appendices) on the
work we have done to reach Level 2 and also our plans to make
further improvement in delivering equality of opportunity to all
and addressing discrimination.
The Council has worked hard over the last two years to
make real improvements to our services and ways of working,
and the Councils’ EFLG Peer Assessment will be a great opportunity
to be recognised for the progress we have made.
For a more detailed list of outcomes please see the following
briefings:
