The Board carried out a systematic review of its existing and proposed policies in 2001 as required by the Act.
In concert with the Department of Education and the other four Education & Library Boards it consulted widely on the impact of policies and a report on the exercise was published in December 2001. Screening of policies is an on-going process as no new policy can be presented to the Board for approval unless it has been screened.
The following is taken from the 2011 Equality Scheme:
4.4 The purpose of screening is to identify those policies that are likely to have an impact on equality of opportunity and/or good relations.
4.5 Screening is completed at the earliest opportunity in the policy development/ review process. Policies should normally be screened prior to presentation to the Board for adoption or implementation. For more detailed strategies or policies that are to be put in place through a series of stages, we will screen at various stages during implementation.
4.6 The lead role in the screening of a policy is taken by the policy decision maker who has the authority to make changes to that policy. However, screening will also involve other relevant team members, for example, equality specialists, those who implement the policy and staff members from other relevant work areas. Where possible we will include key stakeholders in the screening process.
4.7 The following questions are applied to all our policies as part of the screening process:
• What is the likely impact on equality of opportunity for those affected by this policy, for each of the Section 75 equality categories? (minor/major/none)
• Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within the Section 75 equality categories?
• To what extent is the policy likely to impact on good relations between people of a different religious belief, political opinion or racial group? (minor/major/none)
• Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of a different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
Completion of a screening exercise will lead to one of three outcomes:
1. The policy is ‘screened in’ for equality impact assessment
2. The policy is ‘screened out’ with mitigation or an alternative policy proposed to be adopted.
3. The policy is ‘screened out’ without mitigation or an alternative policy proposed to be adopted.
For further information please consult the 2011 Equality Scheme.
