TranslateNorth Ayrshire Equality Outcome 1
Improve access to council services by ensuring our information and communication methods are inclusive and accessible for everyone.
Council Plan Priority
All four priorities.
Rationale
People living in our communities often face barriers to accessing information that is accessible for their needs, including people with limited digital skills, Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users, people with visual impairments or learning disabilities and people whose first language is not English often face more barriers to accessing information than other members of society. This has to be taken into consideration when developing information and communication approaches.
Inequality Addressed
Access to information on services is not always equitable for our local communities and our employees.
North Ayrshire Equality Outcome 2
Raise awareness and improve understanding of discrimination and hate crime across our workplaces and local communities.
Council Plan Priority
Wellbeing and Communities and Local Democracy
Rationale
Research shows that in North Ayrshire, the five year average for hate crime is 128.8 incidents, with the 2023/2024 figure of 150 incidents compared to 115 for the 2022/2023 figure, this represents an increase on both the annual and the five year figure. It is estimated there is also likely a high rate of under reporting. The main protected characteristics subject to hate crime were Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), disability and religion. The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 and implemented in April 2024 and introduces a new offence of stirring up hatred and the protected characteristic of Age. This remains a key area of focus for public services in trying to reduce the incidence of hate crime.
Inequality Addressed
Prejudice and discrimination against disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, age and transgender identity.
North Ayrshire Equality Outcome 3
In North Ayrshire, new places, spaces and buildings will be inclusive and designed to take account of the needs of people with disabilities and other protected characteristics.
Council Plan Priority
Communities and Local Democracy
Rationale
Legislation governs how our Town Planning system works, as covered in The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. This includes considering the Housing needs of people with a disability and engaging them in the development of places across North Ayrshire. The inclusion of this as an Equality Outcome with subsequent actions, will help to ensure a strong focus for people with a disability on the development and implementation of our third Local Development Plan (LDP3).
Additionally, at the time of developing these outcomes a Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman and the implications for single sex spaces along with a ruling in the Scottish Borders mandating single sex spaces in schools, it is important North Ayrshire Council understand any implications for the corporate property portfolio.
Inequality Addressed
North Ayrshire Equality Outcome 4
There is increased awareness of LGBT housing issues, and the LGBT community are represented and supported to access the housing services they need.
Council Plan Priority
Wellbeing and Communities and Local Democracy
Rationale
The Local Housing Strategy 2023 to 2028 highlights that around 4.6% of North Ayrshire’s population is thought to be LGBT+. Research has shown that LGBT+ social housing residents do not believe they are being listened to, taken seriously, or treated equally. Whilst most said they felt part of their local community, almost 15% have experienced harassment because of their sexuality or gender identity and the same percentage did not feel safe in their home. A quarter felt their landlords did not understand the housing issues they faced and less than 20% felt their landlords treated them equally.
Inequality Addressed
Tackling discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity and fostering good relations for our LGBT+ community.
North Ayrshire Equality Outcome 5
In North Ayrshire, people with a disability, including people with neurological conditions, young people and parents* will be supported to access employment opportunities.
Council Plan Priority
Wellbeing and Communities and Local Democracy
Rationale
National and local research indicates that people from these groups still experience a range of barriers when trying to access opportunities to support them into employment. This includes evidence gathered from the North Ayrshire Wellbeing Economy Dashboard which identifies these groups as requiring additional support. *Parents relates to parents with a disabled family member, parents with more than three children, parents from a minority ethnic background, parents with children between the ages of one to 25 years.
Activities can be broken down into three priority groups:
- Young People: 16 to 24 year olds who are care experienced, not in education, employment or training (NEET) or at risk of being NEET on leaving school.
- Inclusive Growth: Parents: lone parents, disabled family member, 3+ children, minority ethnic, child <1 years old, <25 years old).
- Close the Disability Employment Gap: Disabled people and people with long term health conditions.
Inequality Addressed
The identified groups often face more barriers that other members of society in accessing and retaining employment. Focusing on these groups will support a reduction in inequalities in employment.
North Ayrshire Equality Outcome 6
North Ayrshire Council will aim to enhance its workforce from under-represented and diverse groups and foster good relations to support an inclusive workplace environment, where employees are able to thrive and develop their careers.
Council Plan Priority
Wellbeing and a Sustainable Council
Rationale
North Ayrshire Council will aim to enhance its workforce from under-represented and diverse groups and foster good relations to support an inclusive workplace environment, where employees are able to thrive and develop their careers.
- Providing our employees a supportive working environment to improve resilience, mental and physical health and wellbeing.
- Work collaboratively with our diversity networks to harness lived experience and insight to enhance our work and remove barriers in accessing and sustaining employment within the Council.
- Council vacancies, information and resources are easily accessible to ensure all have equal opportunities in exploring employment with the Council.
Inequality Addressed
Supporting our employees with protected characteristics to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations around the key needs of the Equality Act.
Education Equality Outcomes
This section highlights the Equality Outcomes adopted by North Ayrshire Education Services.
Education - Equality Outcome 1
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is embedded across North Ayrshire Council with children’s rights recognised, respected and promoted.
Rationale
The UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act came into place in 2024. It places certain responsibilities on local authorities, including Education Services, to embed the principles of the UNCRC within its functions. There are elements of the UNCRC that cross over with the Equality Act and the inclusion of this outcome will help to ensure we retain a focus on the protected characteristics of young people. As the UNCRC focuses on children from the age of 0 - 18, this will be a key area of focus for Education Services.
Inequality Addressed
This is about ensuring that all children have their rights upheld and have the confidence to realise those rights.
Education - Equality Outcome 2
Children and young people will have planned opportunities to shape their learning experiences and local policy developments.
Council Plan Priority
Wellbeing
Rationale
Linked to the UNCRC equality outcome, this is an important aspect of ensuring children's rights are upheld by ensuring the views of children are considered in decisions that impact them. A range of opportunities are currently provided by the Education Service, as well as across the Council more generally, to engage children and young people in shaping their learning experiences and community. This outcome seeks to build upon this.
Inequality Addressed
This is about ensuring that All children have their rights upheld and have the confidence to realise those rights.
Education – Equality Outcome 3
Children and young people with additional support needs and protected characteristics are supported to achieve their full potential.
Council Plan Priority
Wellbeing
Rationale
North Ayrshire aims to ensure all children and young people have the best start in life. As a result, it is vital we ensure children with additional support needs and those with protected characteristics are supported to achieve to their full potential. This outcome seeks to build on existing practice with this focus.
Inequality Addressed
Ensures a focus on our young people with additional support needs.