Jane GoodwinEquality and Third Sector Manager

Hampshire County Council

Diversity Peer Challenge Hotseat

5th-8th May 2009

Equality Peer Assessment

Friend or foe – help or hindrance?

• What was it like for Hampshire County Council?

• What was it like when the shoe was on the other foot?

What was it like for Hampshire County Council?

We were reluctant followers of the Standard but….

• It focussed Chief Officers & Members – put equality into a measurable framework – not all about attitude

• We focussed on legal duties but Audit Commission pushed us towards level 3

This is what we did

• Initial assessment Sept – Dec 07• Gap analysis + actions Jan – Sept 08• Final assessment Sept -08• Involved dept equality groups + performance

teams – driven through Corporate Performance Group led by CX & Exec Member

• Developed the new Equality Scheme• Wrote self assessment report & journey to level

3 presentation• Organised timetable for peers

How was it for us?

• Stressful but exhilarating – a real feeling of togetherness across the Council

• Great support from Members• Our report and journey presentation now help

staff to see what we have done and need to do• There were no surprises but …• The results have given more weight to our new

scheme and fixed equality firmly in the performance framework of the Council

What was it like when the shoe was on the other foot?

• Became a peer assessor to help my authority- I’d supported other Councils with equality work over number of years + experience of OFSTED !

• The cd of evidence arrived – loads of reading, hard to do justice to all, had to focus on the documents requested in guidance – ignore the rest

• The pre meeting is important to see if the Council has enough evidence

The on site visit!

• Day and half of interviews/focus groups• First time team together – soon gelled!• Not much thinking time – lots of writing • Pre reading – identified areas for further

investigation. Look for evidence in 3 different sources

• Keen to make sure report is fair and helpful• Final feedback session – opportunity to ask

questions

Hints and Tips!

• This is not an inspection – checking that what is in report is real – we’re there to help not hinder

• Self assessment report – think about the readers - please only provide identified documents – any more will be ignored

• Equality Impact Assessment is key to success – looking for outcomes not process – have they made a difference?