Launch of Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment resource

Today the Scottish Human Rights Commission and the Equality and Human Rights Commission launched a new website and training resource at the Grassmarket Community Project in Edinburgh.

The resource was developed with the recognition that some public authorities are choosing to address both the equality and human rights implications of proposed, new or revised policies or practices when they assess impact.

The website supports public authorities in this integrated approach to impact assessment and is available at http://eqhria.scottishhumanrights.com/

Assessing impact can help public authorities to achieve better outcomes by taking account of the rights of individuals whose interests may otherwise be overlooked and improve performance by making sure that action taken is effective and efficient. It also means developing better policies and practices, based on evidence, and being transparent and accountable to stakeholders. EQHRIAs can encourage individuals and communities to participate in decision making processes, giving them ownership of decisions and transforming institutional cultures and decision making.

This work has been supported by a steering group of members including, the Scottish Government, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), NHS Health Scotland, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, the Scottish Councils Equality Network, Police Scotland, the Scottish Prison Service, Audit Scotland, Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and others.​