Equality Impact Assessment

Background

The Risk Management Authority is a Non Departmental Public Body established in 2005 by the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003; and sponsored by the Scottish Government Community Justice Division.

The Authority’s purpose is to make Scotland safer by setting the standard for risk practice to reduce reoffending and the harm that it causes. This involves working with partners to promote good practice and enhance risk assessment and risk management throughout Scotland.

We were commissioned to equality impact assess how the Standards and Guidance for Risk Management demonstrated due regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty

Approach

The experiences of protected groups in the criminal justice system and barriers which they may face was a focus of the work. It was also important to assess the existing checks and balances which were in place to ensure objectivity and reduce the chance of bias.

Process

An Equality Evidence Review was produced which considered the experience of protected groups. For example, In working directly with children and young people who offend, the challenge for professionals is in ensuring that communication and engagement are at the appropriate level to match the developmental stage of the child. The Standards were then assessed with reference to each element of the Public Sector Equality Duty, and revisions to enhance practice were proposed. We then facilitated a practice session with assessors to discuss the findings of the equality impact assessment.