Equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion “We are committed to our vision of a modern Britain where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and we all have an equal chance to succeed” Equality and Human Rights Commission, Strategic Plan 2012–15 IAdvancing equality, recognising and valuing diversity and promoting inclusion are all essential for creating a fairer society in which everyone can participate and fulfil their potential. URS is a leading provider of Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) and related services. We work with public and private sector clients to ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion considerations are firmly embedded within policies, plans, projects and investment decisions. The Equality Act 2010 provides a legal framework to address disadvantage and discrimination. Under the Act, public bodies are subject to the public sector equality duty. This requires public bodies to not only eliminate discrimination but also to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between people who share protected characteristics and those who do not. These protected characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation (and, in some instances, marriage or civil partnership status). EqIA provides a means for public sector bodies to identify and evaluate the potential effects of their activities on different people and so provides a means to help deliver the equality duty in practice. Case law indicates that public bodies must; assemble sufficient evidence to allow them to understand the potential effects of their decisions on people with protected characteristics; actively use this evidence to inform the decision-making process; and adequately document how decisions were made.
WHY URS? Our extensive experience has enabled us to develop a strong understanding of what constitutes a successful EqIA process. URS’ approach to EqIA involves: establishing a robust and credible evidence base which draws on the findings of tailored consultation with affected groups; providing public bodies with conclusions and recommendations to inform decision-making; and preparing rigorous yet accessible reports. We can also assist in defining equality, diversity and inclusion priorities and identifying appropriate outcome indicators for monitoring. Our experience includes EqIA for major infrastructure schemes, including high speed rail and enhanced airport capacity, and mixed-use and sometimes controversial urban regeneration projects. We also undertake EqIA as part of wider integrated or sustainability appraisals for strategies covering economic growth, housing policy and spatial planning. Our equalities capability is complemented by wider expertise in health and wellbeing, community cohesion and stakeholder engagement. We can also assist corporate clients to understand and strengthen their equality and diversity performance. URS is at the forefront of the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda. For example, a URS member of staff was recently invited to join a Highways Agency task and finish group to support the Agency in determining how to mainstream equality, diversity and inclusion best practice in service delivery.
OUR EXPERIENCE EqIA for HS2 Phase One URS completed the route-wide EqIA for HS2 Phase One: London to West Midlands. The assessment identified the impacts of the proposed route on housing and community facilities and instances where groups with protected characteristics including older people and people with disabilities might be subject to disproportionate adverse effects. EqIA for Bank Station Capacity Upgrade To improve the accessibility of the station complex for all users, URS undertook an EqIA which involved: collecting baseline data; engaging with disability stakeholders; conducting interviews with staff; undertaking site visits; and preparing an EqIA report and Equality Action Plan. Measures identified in the EqIA were incorporated in the station’s design as well as key delivery documents including the construction logistics plan and the Code of Construction Practice. EqIA for Brent Cross Civic Centre URS undertook an EqIA to support the London Borough of Brent in fulfilling the equality duty and delivering on its ambitions to provide an inclusive and fully accessible Civic Centre. The EqIA followed a systematic process, including baseline information collection and analysis, community engagement via a series of open day events and workshops and close engagement with the architects for the Centre. EqIA for Peckham Rye Station Area Redevelopment URS conducted a tailored assessment on behalf of Southwark Council to identify the potential effects of regeneration proposals for improving the area around Peckham Rye station on Black and Minority Ethnic-run businesses. Two bespoke surveys were undertaken, one for businesses in the proposed redevelopment area and one for customers of the businesses in question.
Equalities advice for Alexandra Palace regeneration URS provided advice on improving accessibility to the Alexandra Palace Trust as part of their strategic masterplanning process for the restoration and future use of the building. As part of the commission, we planned, recruited for and conducted a series of three focus groups aimed at younger, older and disabled people and people from diverse cultural backgrounds across East Haringey in order to canvass their views on Tomorrow’s Ally Pally.
EqIA for Wards Corner Redevelopment URS conducted EqIA on behalf of the London Borough of Haringey to assist the Council in fulfilling the equality duty in relation to the redevelopment of Wards Corner in Seven Sisters. The EqIA process included designing and conducting face-to-face surveys of individuals from affected households and businesses, including both ethnically diverse residents and market stallholders from Latin American backgrounds, using Spanish speaking staff.
Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) for Revised London Housing Strategy and Early Alterations to the London Plan URS was commissioned by the GLA to undertake an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) which included consideration of potential equality impacts. The project involved a workshop with the London Housing Equality Standing Group to elicit their views on the potential equality impacts associated with the proposals.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Nicky Hodges Associate Director Direct: +44 (0)1179 171179 nicky.hodges@urs.com
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