The equalities framework
This is the Equality and Diversity Framework for the City of Edinburgh Council and the Edinburgh Education Authority, covering the period 2021-25. Its key purpose is to make a tangible difference to the lives of citizens who share protected characteristics, bringing practical improvements to the life chances of people at risk of discrimination and disadvantage.
The framework has been developed during the Covid-19 pandemic and shaped by the challenges, experiences and learning that the crisis has brought.
Covid has magnified the disadvantages faced by some groups of people, reflected in the wide variation in infection rate, health outcomes, economic and social effects of the virus. Equalities groups at higher risk of disadvantage include older people, through digital exclusion and loneliness; women, through domestic abuse and being more likely to have taken on domestic and caring responsibilities; women from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background also face technology, language and literacy barriers.
We recognise that to meet the vision for 2050 of a sustainable, fair and thriving city, we must plan the recovery from Covid to build back better. The Council’s Business Plan sets out how we will do this, focusing on three priorities:
- ending poverty and preventing adverse outcomes such as homelessness and unemployment
- becoming sustainable and net zero city
- making sure wellbeing and equalities are enhanced for all.
These priorities are inter-connected and inter-dependent - poverty is more prevalent among groups including women, young people, people from a BAME background and people with disabilities; and measures to progress towards net zero done well can ensure the city makes a just transition and addresses issues such as fuel poverty.
Our equalities framework underpins the Business Plan by setting out how we will shape, prioritise and mainstream our actions so that they meet the needs of all of our citizens and all of our colleagues. It also provides focus with specific outcomes which meet our equality duty and hold us accountable. It uses a three-lens approach. It describes what we will do for our citizens, our colleagues (who can also be citizens) and for the city as a whole.
Developing the framework
The equalities framework was developed with partners2 with the aim of establishing a shared set of principles and outcome themes and a consistent, coherent approach to bringing tangible improvements to the lives and experiences of people in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Partners used the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC), ‘’, as the basis for developing the framework. EHRC’s review spanned all areas of life: education, work, living standards, health, justice and security and participation in society. These topics provided the starting point for our framework, with the themes and outcomes shaped, refined and prioritised through discussion with stakeholders, public consultation and engagement, and taking account of . The online consultation was open from 3 November to 22 December 2020 and welcomed 2 Midlothian Council, West Lothian Council, NHS Lothian, Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership and East Lothian Integration Joint Board
feedback from people with a variety of life and personal experiences.
The framework sets out the actions that the Council will take over the next four years to meet its duties under the Equality Act.
These actions mainstream equalities into the day to day work of the Council making equalities a component of all of its activities. In doing so, we recognise that the intersection of different protected characteristics contributes to people’s unique experiences, for example, of intersectional discrimination. To meet the needs of our citizens we will respect all aspects of these identities and provide a person-centred approach wherever possible.
The actions are structured around five themes, shown below. For each of these, a priority outcome has been agreed through the consultation and engagement process for the first year.
The four-year framework will be used in a way that is iterative, responsive to priorities as they emerge through continued engagement with partners and communities. The priorities set for the first year will be reviewed for year two and beyond.
Equalities themes and outcomes
The five themes and priority outcomes for year 1 are:
Inclusive communities:
- People at risk from harm through poverty and deprivation, hate crime or discrimination, violence against women, children and young people, or of becoming involved in crime, are protected and supported
- Year 1: Museum stakeholders, visitors and staff perceive greater fairness, representation and justice in their communities and local authority area
Accessing facilities and support:
- People can access the facilities and support they need within their communities
- Year 1: stakeholders experience easier access to services through increased digital inclusion and alternative access to services.
Having a warm and affordable home:
- Increasing the availability of affordable homes, making sure that they meet people’s needs, making heating more affordable and making the process of applying for a home easier.
- Year 1: stakeholders at risk of homelessness are enabled to access suitable accommodation on leaving hospitals or prisons
Improved health, wellbeing and attainment for young people:
- Increasing the life chances of all young people by increasing attainment at school
- Year 1: Children and young people have improved health and wellbeing because there is a reduction in bullying and prejudice-based incidents.
Diverse and inclusive workplace:
- Spanning all protected characteristic groups
- Year 1: A more diverse and inclusive working environment is experienced by colleagues who share protected characteristics and colleagues are supported by an inclusive workplace culture and feel confident to challenge prejudice-based behaviours
- Year 1: Colleagues are supported by a holistic and preventative approach to financial, mental and physical wellbeing.
To meet this ambition, we will enhance the level specialist skills and knowledge within the organisation to match other leading public bodies, recognising that this is vital for delivering on the ambitions of the framework.
See the integrated impact assessment for the framework.
Monitoring progress
The Council is developing a new framework which will integrate planning and performance and provide a clear link between our Business Plan, key strategies, annual service plans and the underlying performance framework including benchmarking. The framework will be underpinned by a cycle of ‘plan, do, check and review and act’ at all levels of service and will drive a culture of continuous improvement. The equalities framework will sit within this performance framework.
Each of the themes and outcomes sections below includes a brief summary of the types of indicators or measures which could be used to monitor progress with the implementation of this framework. These will continue to be developed and refined along with the Council’s wider performance framework.