Item 6

Impact Assessment Report

Dept: Education Date: 1 October 2004

Signature: John Wilkinson, Assistant County Education Officer

Policy, Strategy, Service Impact Assessed:

Lifelong Learning Strategy

Aim:

Summary of findings: Full details of the outcomes are reflected in words of the strategy

The Strategy was produced as the result of a Best Value Review involving representatives from across the Council. Equality and Diversity issues were an integral element of the review and the team was briefed on the principles of impact assessment.

Key findings:

· A variety of demographic and monitoring data is already in place and will be refined in order to improve monitoring and review options.

· Action points will continue to identify and map areas where there are shortages or a greater need in relation to minority or hard to reach groups.

· Most organisations with responsibility for direct delivery of learning opportunities have policies and procedures relating to equality of provision and are also covered by the duty to promote race equality.

· Minority ethnic and other excluded groups may not have access to information about learning opportunities.

· Asylum seekers, refugees, gypsies and travellers, Asian women in some areas have limited understanding of English and some disabled people were identified as potential for adverse impact.

Summary of Recommendations

· The word `citizens' was changed to everyone because this did not encompass asylum seekers.

· Provider organisations to be monitored under contract agreements to ensure compliance. Their work will be audited on a regular basis to ensure they meet our standards.

· Data sources to be regularly reviewed and updated where gaps are identified

· Communication of activities and opportunities is highly important and active steps to be taken to use a variety of formats according to identified need

· The six identified outcome areas describe outcome of assessment.

· HCC agrees to act as an advocate for learners at different stages and this is written into the strategy.

· Put systems in place to `listen to the community views'

· Funding to be used to target particular areas of adverse impact

Date passed to DMT/review team leader: 30 September 2004

Signed off by: John Wilkinson, Assistant County Education Officer