Equality and diversity

Reporting progress

Our new Equality Objective is specific and measurable and our success will be measured using the Equality Framework for Local Government (EFLG) which has four key modules:

  • Understanding and working with communities
  • Leadership, partnership, and organisational commitment
  • Responsive services and customer care
  • Diverse and engaged workforce

We will be reporting further on our progress once we have completed our initial EFLG audit and assessment.

The initial Internal Equality Framework for Local Government (EFLG) Audit Report July 2023

The council commissioned an independent EDI Consultant to undertake an audit against the EFLG. The final report is now available on the following link below; 

EFLG Equality Framework Audit Report July 2023

The audit highlighted a number of areas for improvement which will be developed into an EFLG Audit Action Plan.

Public Sector Equality Duty Service Users Report 

The following reports sets out how the council is meeting its legal responsibilities for services users, under the Equality Act 2010  (Public Sector Equality Duty), by demonstrating what information relating to  people who are affected by Sandwell council policies and practices who share protected characteristics. 

The reports can be accessed by following the link below;

Public Sector Equality Duty Service User report 2021-22

Public Sector Equality Duty Service Users Report 2022 - 2023 

EDI interim Objectives

In addition to the new Equality Objective 2023, the council has introduced an additional four interim objectives to support its EDI agenda, in readiness for the development and implementation of the EDI Strategy.

Two of which are specifically service related and the third crosses both workforce and service delivery. The fourth objective is workforce focused.The interim EDI objectives are aligned to the EFLG modules. The objectives are in place from September 2023 and will support the development of the, development of the EDI Strategy.

Detailed below is the progress made so far in relation to the 4 EDI Objectives:

EFLG Module:

Understanding and working with communities.

EDI Interim Objective 1

To undertake a mapping exercise and produce a report that identifies the different community organisations across Sandwell who support protected groups.

Progress:

  • The work to support this objective is underway.
  • The mapping exercise is now completed with the gathering of data from various sources and full analysis undertaken.
  • A draft report is now in the development stage

EFLG Module:

Leadership, partnership, and organisational commitment

EDI Interim Objective 2

The Council will review, develop, and implement a new Equality Impact Assessment Process and T Toolkit, to improve the overall decision making when it comes to responding to EDI issues across the Council.

Progress:

  • Feedback from managers regarding the current EIA process, toolkit and what they would like to see in a new process has been captured via a questionnaire. The results have now been collated and analysed. This information will be incorporated into the new EIA toolkit
  • Additionally, a review of Equality Impact Assessment Toolkit from other public sector organisations has been conducted to identify best practice, including guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

EFLG Module:

Responsive services and customer care

EDI Objective 3

To work towards improving the EDI data collection of Sandwell residents by introducing a new EDI monitoring form that is used to capture protected characteristics data across Council Services.

Progress:

  • The first draft of the EDI monitoring form has been developed based on best practice from across other public sector organisations and the EHRC.
EFLG Module:

Diverse and engaged workforce.

EDI Interim Objective 4

To introduce the E-learning EDI training as a mandated requirement for all staff.

Progress:

  • Work is currently progressing on reviewing and refreshing the current E-learning module, with a view to roll out to all staff.