Since 2002/2003 local authorities have been required to report annually against the level of the equality standard they have achieved.
The Equality Standard was developed in partnership between the Commission for Racial Equality, the Disability Rights Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Employers’ Organisation for local government, with assistance from the Audit Commission and the Local Government Association.
The Standard provides a generic framework through which local government can address its legal obligations under anti-discrimination law and promote best practice in equality and diversity.
The Standard’s five levels promote best practice systems in equality and diversity:
Level 1–Commitment: to a Comprehensive Equality Policy; and to the concepts of equality and diversity
Level 2–Engagement: through assessment and consultation
Level 3–Performance Setting: setting equality objectives and targets
Level 4–Performance Monitoring: information systems and monitoring against targets
Level 5–Performance Review: achieving and reviewing outcomes.
The Standard requires best practice in the following areas:
- leadership and corporate commitment
- consultation, community development and scrutiny
- service delivery and customer care
- employment and training.
Lewisham has developed an assessment toolkit that measures not only achievement against the Standard, but also the quality of that achievement.
The Council has been externally assessed as having achieved level 4 of the equality standard for local government, making Lewisham the first externally validated local authority to reach that level. Our external challenger commented that Lewisham provided “clear and robust evidence” of having reached level 5.
Equalities issues have been clearly integrated into the Council’s and directorates’ service planning and performance framework. The Consultation and Engagement Strategy has been reviewed, effective mechanisms have been put into place to take account of the needs of the target equalities groups, and outcomes are fed into the service planning process.
Equalities targets are challenging and are regularly monitored. Performance is monitored both at service and corporate level and is also scrutinised by the Mayor and Members.
We are not complacent, though, and will use the evidence from our assessment toolkit to make continued improvements to the quality of our service.