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Published in January 2024
Contents
Overview of the screening template
Section A Details about the policy or decision to be screened
1. Title or policy or decision to be screened
2. Brief description of policy or decision to be screened
3. Aims and objectives of policy or decision to be screened
4. Who will the policy or decision impact?
5. Are there linkages to other agencies or departments?
Section B Information on the consultation process
6. Outline consultation process planned or achieved
7. Available evidence
8. What is the likely impact on equality of opportunity for those affected by this policy, for each of the Section 75 equality categories?
9. Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people in Section 75 equality categories?
10. To what extent is the policy likely to impact good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
11. Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
Section C Consideration of Disability Duties
12. Does this proposed policy or decision provide an opportunity for the council to better promote positive attitudes towards disabled people?
13. Does this proposed policy or decision provide an opportunity to actively increase the participation by disabled people in public life?
14. Provide details of data on the impact of the policy with multiple identities
15. Monitoring arrangements
Section D
Formal record of screening decision
Screening assessment completed
Screening decision approved
Footnotes
Overview of screening template
The council has a statutory duty to screen. This includes our strategies, plans, policies, legislative developments; and new ways of working such as the introduction, change or end of an existing service, grant funding arrangement or facility. This screening template is designed to help departments consider the likely equality impacts of their proposed decisions on different groups of customers, service users, staff and visitors.
Before carrying out an equality screening exercise it is important that you have received the necessary training first. To find out about the training needed or any other queries on screening, contact the Equality and Diversity Officer on extension 6027 or by email equality@belfastcity.gov.uk
The accompanying screening guidance note provides straightforward advice on how to carry out equality screening exercises. Detailed information about the Section 75 equality duties and what they mean in practice is available on the Equality Commission’s website.[1]
The screening template has four sections to complete. These are:
- Section A provides details about the policy or decision that is being screened
- Section B gives information on the consultation process, supporting evidence gathered and has four key questions outlining the likely impacts on all equality groups
- Section C has four key questions in relation to obligations under the Disability Discrimination Order
- Section D is the formal record of the screening decision
Section A
Details about the policy or decision to be screened
1. Title of policy or decision to be screened
Changing Places Toilets Policy
2. Brief description of policy or decision to be screened
(Explain is this a new, revised or existing policy? Are there financial, legislative or procurement implications?)
This is a new draft policy which sets out the council’s approach and commitment to providing Changing Places Toilet facilities in public places within council facilities and across the council area.
3. Aims and objectives of the policy or decision to be screened
(What is the policy trying to achieve?)
Changing Places Toilets (CPTs) meet the needs of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as people with other physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.
However, the range of people who may need to use a CPT can also include for example people living with stroke, older people who require assistance, people who are unable to transfer independently or have no sitting balance, people who are doubly incontinent or who have total dependency on assistants.
These toilets provide specific equipment including a height adjustable adult-sized changing table, a tracking hoist system, adequate space for a disabled person and up to two carers, a peninsular WC with room either side and a safe and clean environment including tear off paper to cover the bench, a large waste bin and a non-slip floor.
The aims of this policy are for the council to:
Provide as required a Changing Places facility in every large new building environment in when the public will have access to its services and where public toilet provision is available for others.
Make every effort to include Changing Places facilities when we extend or extensively refurbish an existing council-owned building where it is reasonable to do so.
Review where such Changing Places facilities could be installed on the council estate for example playgrounds and parks.
When organising a large public event, consider if it can take place at a venue that already has a Changing Places facility or include a mobile or portable facility, if a permanent Changing Places toilet is not available.
Require organisers of all large-scale public events (for example concerts and festivals) on council property to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that customers have access to either a fixed or portable Changing Places facility as part of the design of the event.
When organising smaller public events, encourage small scale event organisers to undertake an accessibility audit and to provide a Changing Places facility where possible.
4. Who will the policy or decision impact?
Consider the internal and external impacts (both actual or potential) and explain.
| People | Actual or potential impact |
|---|---|
| Staff
This policy will have an impact on staff working in specific council units, for example, Physical Programmes, Parks, Building Control and Events. The staff will need to consider the inclusion of Changing Places facilities. |
Yes |
| Service users
The policy will have a positive impact on people with disabilities and their carers. |
Yes |
| Other public sector organisations | No |
| Voluntary, community groups and trade unions | No |
| Others, please specify This policy will have an impact on external event contractors and promoters. |
Yes |
5. Are there linkages to other agencies or departments?
The council has been alerted to the possibility of making an application under the Department for Communities’ Access and Inclusion 2024-2025 Programme fund to secure funding which could contribute towards the purchase of a mobile changing places unit which could be used at events.
Section B
Information on the consultation process, supporting evidence gathered and has four key questions outlining the likely impacts for equality and good relations
6. Outline consultation process planned or achieved
The council’s Disability Advisory Panel were informed that this policy was being developed. The Disability Advisory Panel will provide a response to this proposed policy during the public consultation period.
A public consultation on the policy will take place on 15 January 2024 for a period of 12 weeks.
7. Available evidence
What evidence or information (both qualitative and quantitative) have you gathered to inform this policy? Set out all evidence to help inform your screening assessment.
It is important to record information gathered from a variety of sources such as:
- monitoring information
- complaints
- research surveys
- consultation exercises from other public authorities
| Section 75 category | Details of evidence, information and engagement | |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief | This is not applicable | |
| Political opinion | This is not applicable | |
| Racial group | This is not applicable | |
| Age | This is not applicable | |
| Marital status | This is not applicable | |
| Sexual orientation | This is not applicable | |
| Men and women generally | This is not applicable | |
| Disability | In the population of Belfast:
|
|
| Dependants | There are 325,629 carers in Belfast. |
|
8. What is the likely impact (indicate if the policy impact is positive or negative) on equality of opportunity for those affected by this policy, for each of the Section 75 equality categories? What is the level of impact?
| Section 75 category | Likely impact | Level of impact Minor, major or none |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief |
None |
This is not applicable |
| Political opinion |
None |
This is not applicable |
| Racial group |
None |
This is not applicable |
| Age | None | This is not applicable |
| Marital status | None | This is not applicable |
| Sexual orientation | None | This is not applicable |
| Men and women generally | None | This is not applicable |
| Disability |
Positive |
Minor |
| Dependants |
Positive |
Minor |
9. Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within the Section 75 equalities categories?
| Section 75 category | If 'yes', provide details | If 'no', provide reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief | This is not applicable | No. This policy is designed to support people with disabilities and their carers. |
| Political opinion | This is not applicable | No. This policy is designed to support people with disabilities and their carers. |
| Racial group | This is not applicable | No. This policy is designed to support people with disabilities and their carers. |
| Age | This is not applicable | No. This policy is designed to support people with disabilities and their carers. |
| Marital status | This is not applicable | No. This policy is designed to support people with disabilities and their carers. |
| Sexual orientation | This is not applicable | No. This policy is designed to support people with disabilities and their carers. |
| Men and women generally | This is not applicable | No. This policy is designed to support people with disabilities and their carers. |
| Disability | Yes. This policy will promote equality of opportunity for people with a disability. | This is not applicable |
| Dependants | Yes. This policy will promote equality of opportunity for people with a disability. | This is not applicable |
10. To what extent is the policy likely to impact (positive or negatively) on good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group? What is the level of impact?
| Good relations category | Likely impact | Level of impact |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief |
None |
This is not applicable |
| Political opinion | None | This is not applicable |
| Racial group | None | This is not applicable |
11. Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group?
| Good relations category | If 'yes', provide details | If 'no', provide details |
|---|---|---|
| Religious belief | This is not applicable | This is not applicable |
| Political opinion | This is not applicable | This is not applicable |
| Racial group | This is not applicable | This is not applicable |
Section C
Belfast City Council also has legislative obligations to meet under the Disability Discrimination Order. Questions 12 and 13 relate to these areas.
Consideration of Disability Duties
12. Does this proposed policy or decision provide an opportunity for the council to better promote positive attitudes towards disabled people?
Explain your assessment in full
Yes. This policy will provide an opportunity for the council to better promote positive attitudes toward disabled, in particularly to people with mobility or dexterity difficulties.
13. Does this proposed policy or decision provide an opportunity to actively increase the participation by disabled people in public life?
Explain your assessment in full
Yes. This policy will provide an opportunity to actively increase the participation of disabled people in public life, in particularly to people with mobility or dexterity difficulties.
14. Multiple identities
Provide details of data on the impact of the policy with multiple identities
This is not applicable.
15. Monitoring arrangements
Section 75 places a requirement the council to have equality monitoring arrangements in place:
- to assess the impact of policies and services
- to help identify barriers to fair participation
- to better promote equality of opportunity
Section 75 places a requirement for the council to have equality monitoring arrangements in place in order to assess the impact of policies and services and to help identify barriers to fair participation and to better promote equality of opportunity.
Outline what data you will collect in the future to monitor the impact of this policy or decision on equality, good relations and disability duties.
| Equality | Good Relations | Disability Duties |
|---|---|---|
| Continued monitoring will help identify what might need to be considered for a future revised policy. | Continued monitoring will help identify what might need to be considered for a future revised policy. | Continued monitoring will help identify what might need to be considered for a future revised policy. |
Section D
Formal record of screening decision
Title of proposed policy or decision being screened
Changing Places Toilets Policy
I can confirm that the proposed policy or decision has been screened for:
- equality of opportunity and good relations
- disability duties
| On the basis of the answers to the screening questions, I recommend that this policy or decision is | |
|---|---|
| Screened in It is necessary to conduct an equality impact assessment |
No |
|
Screened out
The proposed byelaws have no negative impact in respect of any of the equality of opportunity or good relations categories. This policy has been screened out as the only impacts identified are positive and the policy may promote greater equality of opportunity for people with disabilities and people who support them. |
Yes |
|
Screened out
|
No |
Screening assessment completed by
Language Officer on 28 November 2023
Department: Equality and Diversity Unit
Screening decision approved by
Policy, Research and Compliance Officer on 9 January 2024
Department: Legal and Civic Services Department
Please save the Word final version of the completed screening form and email to the Equality and Diversity Officer: equality@belfastcity.gov.uk A link to this screening form will be provided to the council's Section 75 consultees.
For more information about equality screening, contact:
Equality and Diversity Unit
Belfast City Council
City Hall
Belfast
BT1 5GS
Telephone: 028 9027 0511
Email: equality@belfastcity.gov.uk
Footnotes
[1] Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (link opens in new window)