Equalities Impacts Needs Assessment (Eina)

An Equalities Impacts Needs Assessment (EINA) is a process for taking into account the effects of policies and practices on different groups, in order to help ensure that all those who stand to be affected by them have an opportunity to express their views and that their needs are met.

The EINA approach was developed in response to the UK Government’s Race Equality Duty which came into force in 2007. The duty requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination and advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

EINAs can be used in procurement as part of the assessment of potential suppliers. They can also be used more broadly, for example as part of policy development or service design.

The following are some key features of an EINA:

+ It should be undertaken at an early stage in the policy/decision-making process;

+ It should identify the different groups that might be affected by the policy/decision;

+ It should consider the effects of the policy/decision on these groups, both positively and negatively;

+ It should identify any needs that these groups might have which are not currently being met;

+ It should make recommendations on how these needs could be met;

+ It should ensure that there is consultation with relevant stakeholders throughout the process;

+ It should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis.