Following our consultation and involvement exercise, we detail in our Action Plan our priority equality outcomes and what actions we need to take to achieve these outcomes. The Action Plan also sets out when we aim to achieve them and who will take responsibility for ensuring we meet them.
Relevance to Equality Strands
We have highlighted the strands whereby we feel that the outcome has most relevance. For example, making our buildings more accessible would largely be relevant to disabled people.
Target Dates
Where we have stated Year 1 for example, we mean by year-end of the period November 2008 to November 2009 and so on, for the following years.
Year 1: 2008-09
Year 2: 2009-10
Year 3: 2010-11
Reporting on Progress
Our Annual Equality Report will update on our progress in achieving our equality outcomes each year. Actions are likely to evolve as new priorities are identified over the life of this Equality Scheme and these will be reflected in the Annual Equality Report.
Strands: age, disability, gender/gender identity, race, religion/belief and sexual orientation
Action Plan - Corporate Planning and Management
A1
Required Outcome/Objective: An effective Equality Scheme in place that is monitored and progress on achieving our equality objectives is reported on a regularly
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Bi-annual updates signed-off by service heads and directors; produce Annual Equality Report
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Equality and Access Team
Measuring Success: Feedback from contacts and outcomes from Equality of Opportunity Committee
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
A2
Required Outcome/Objective: A Scheme and Action Plan that is reviewed externally every three years
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Identify mechanism for external review
Target Date(s): Year 3
Lead: Equality and Access Team
Measuring Success: Report from external reviewer
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
A3
Required Outcome/Objective: Equality objectives are taken into account in service areas’ work planning processes
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Build equality objectives into service areas’ plans
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Equality and Access Team
Measuring Success: Objectives and actions are achieved and regularly reported on
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
A4
Required Outcome/Objective: New and proposed policies are equality impact assessed and staff are trained to carry out this process
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Enhance existing impact assessment tool; work with Human Resources team to develop training for the tool
Target Date(s): Year 1; Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Equality and Access Team
Measuring Success: Effective, inclusive policies that take into account diverse needs
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
A5
Required Outcome/Objective: Effective internal working relationships/networks in place to inform our work on equality
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Equality Steering Group to provide an initial steer for equality development work; Involve staff networks and TUS in impact assessment and policy development process
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Equality and Access Team
Measuring Success: Networks contributions inform impact assessment process and are included in policy decisions
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
A6
Required Outcome/Objective: Effective external working relationships/networks in place to inform our work on equality
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Use Disabled Users’ Network to inform policy; Use contacts from Mentoring Scheme to develop further networks
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing; Year 2 and ongoing
Lead: Equality and Access Team
Measuring Success: We ensure that we come into contact with individuals and organisations who have not traditionally participated
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
A7
Required Outcome/Objective: Staff and Assembly Members are able to gain timely and accurate advice on equality, access and human rights issues
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Equality and Access Team is visible at all times;Develop intranet resource for staff and Assembly Members
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing; Year 1/2
Lead: Equality and Access Team
Measuring Success: Feedback from Assembly Commission, Assembly Members and AMSS
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
A8
Required Outcome/Objective: Awareness amongst staff and Assembly Members re equality, access and human rights is heightened
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Hold awareness-raising events, publish articles in staff magazine, e-mails, literature, posters etc Use equality events calendar to plan awareness-raising; Members as employers in their own right are aware of their equality and access responsibilities
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing; year 1
Lead: Equality and Access Team
Measuring Success: Assembly Members’ support staff have their access needs met; constituency offices are accessible
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
A9
Required Outcome/Objective: Increased engagement with members of under-represented communities, with the aim of promoting and widening engagement with and participation in democracy
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Implementation of a multi-strand Assembly and Local Government Mentoring Scheme, administered by the Equality and Access Team; increased outreach work
Target Date(s): Year 1
Lead: Equality and Access Team; Equality and Access Team/ External Communication
Measuring Success: Participants of the Scheme become candidates at local, general and European elections and/or engage in civic participation
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
Action Plan - Human Resources
B1
Required Outcome/Objective: Our vacancies reach those local groups who represent ethnic minority people and attract the volume of applications from these groups that reflect the general population with a view to extending this incrementally to the other equality strands
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Identify opportunities to widen recruitment advertising; engage in outreach activities to promote our organisation as potential employer; explore the feasibility of utilising the Jobcentre Plus - 'Access to Work’ Scheme
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: HR Recruitment Team
Measuring Success: Monitor applications for employment and look for increase in the number of applications from ethnic minority people in relation to successful applications
Applicable to the following strands: Age; Race
B2
Required Outcome/Objective: Staff, Assembly Members and Assembly Members’ staff to have an increased awareness of their equality/human rights responsibilities and the following equality strands: age, disability, gender/gender identity, race, religion/belief and sexual orientation. Also, to have an understanding of the implications of the Equality Scheme and public sector equality duties
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Develop comprehensive equality and human rights training programme for staff and Assembly Members to include core training, bespoke service area training and training aimed at Assembly Members
Target Date(s): Year 1
Lead: HR Learning and Development Team
Measuring Success: Staff and Assembly Members have an increased awareness of equality issues
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
B3
Required Outcome/Objective: Both bullying and harassment are taken seriously and staff are educated about their duties and responsibilities
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Enhance Dignity at Work Policy in conjunction with the TUS; ensure all staff are trained regularly on the Dignity at Work Policy; increase the number of harassment officers and investigative officers; and identify mechanism to increase the number of external investigative officers
Target Date(s): Year 1; Year 1 and ongoing; and Year 1/2
Lead: HR Operations
Measuring Success:
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
B4
Required Outcome/Objective: Grades are monitored and any gender differentials are addressed
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Explore potential reasons for differentials and consider whether to undertake different approaches to recruitment advertising
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: HR Operations
Measuring Success:
Applicable to the following strands: Gender
B5
Required Outcome/Objective: Employment policies that take account of changing legislative requirements on equality and human rights
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Policies to be reviewed and updated in line with changing legislation
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: HR Policies Team
Measuring Success:
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
B6
Required Outcome/Objective: Equality considerations are built into recruitment processes (including flexible working, job-share and home working arrangements)
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Job adverts state flexible working arrangements where appropriate to business needs
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: HR Recruitment Team
Measuring Success: Staff are able to enjoy work-life balance whilst meeting business needs
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
B7
Required Outcome/Objective: Improved staff equality data is available. Data is collected, logged and easily available from monitoring employment policies
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Assess feasibility of using Snowdrop IT system to collect staff equality data on disability, sexual orientation and religion/belief; undertake next staff equality survey
Target Date(s): Year 1; and Year 3
Lead: HR Operations
Measuring Success: Trends could be identified from data
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
B8
Required Outcome/Objective: Our emerging pay strategy has embedded within it the principle of equality
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Undertake equal pay review and identify/address any pay gaps
Target Date(s): Year 1/ 2
Lead: HR Operations
Measuring Success: Any pay gaps identified are closed
Applicable to the following strands: Gender
B9
Required Outcome/Objective: Employees from under-represented groups feel supported and contribute to the development of policies that might affect them (staff networks)
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Ensure that networks are supported with budget and administration and have the opportunity to contribute to policy development
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: HR Operations and Equality and Access Team
Measuring Success:
Applicable to the following strands: Disability, Race and Sexual Orientation
B10
Required Outcome/Objective: Our revised induction arrangements place appropriate emphasis on our equality commitments/duties and these arrangements are shared with Assembly Members’ staff as appropriate
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Deliver induction training to all new staff and AMSS which incorporates a revised equality section
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: HR Learning and Development
Measuring Success:
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
B11
Required Outcome/Objective: A pilot scheme promoting work assignments for ethnic minority people to be introduced and rolled out to other strands pending review of pilot
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Scope pilot, roll-out and review
Target Date(s): Year 1/2
Lead: HR Policies
Measuring Success:
Applicable to the following strands: Race
Action Plan - External Communications
C1
Required Outcome/Objective: Information about the Assembly and its work is accessible to all people. Awareness is raised across all sectors of society about the work of the Assembly
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Develop Education and Outreach Strategy which takes account of all equality strands; develop media/new media strategies which take account of accessibility of information to different groups
Target Date(s): Year 1
Lead: Education and Outreach Teams; Media, Website and Publications Team
Measuring Success: Senedd/Event and exit surveys embedded into the teams’ programmes
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
C2
Required Outcome/Objective: Assembly publications with images are representative of diverse society in Wales
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Develop Image Bank; and develop an approach to accessible communication/information
Target Date(s): Year 1/2; and Year 2
Lead: Media, Website and Publications Team
Measuring Success: Feedback forms included in publications; enter publications to national awards to encourage recognition
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
C3
Required Outcome/Objective: Press/media releases are sent to organisations that include representative organisations/groups that might represent the equality interests
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Develop central database of contacts for use across the organisation
Target Date(s): Year 2
Lead: Public Relations Team
Measuring Success:
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
C4
Required Outcome/Objective: People from under-represented groups access and visit the Senedd and our other buildings
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Target individuals and/or representative organisations from under-represented groups with information about the Assembly and the Senedd; ensure visitors are given feedback forms which allow us to monitor what groups our visitors are from and whether we meet their needs and requirements
Target Date(s): ongoing
Lead: Public Relations Team; and Visitor Service Team
Measuring Success: Feedback (forms and electronic) show increased number of visitors from across the equality groups accessing our buildings; and equality issues to be included in visitor profiles
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
C5
Required Outcome/Objective: Guided tours of the Senedd which are accessible to visitors with sensory impairments
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Investigate the possibilities for installing a tactile map of Senedd; explore feasibility of tours delivered in BSL; and review accessibility of tour literature
Target Date(s): Year 1; Year 2; and Year 2
Lead: Visitor Service Team
Measuring Success: Visitors’ experiences are positive (from feedback) and interpretation materials are accessible to all
Applicable to the following strands: Disability
C6
Required Outcome/Objective: An increase in ethnic minority and disabled young people’s participation from groups in the education centre of the Assembly
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Target relevant schools and organisations to attend and contribute to events in our Education Centre; use contacts from Assembly and Local Government Mentoring Scheme to reach under-represented groups
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Education Service
Measuring Success: Develop network of relevant associations with clear objectives and desired outcomes; and use feedback from International Day of Disabled People celebration (December 2008) and other events aimed at interest groups
Applicable to the following strands: Age; Disability and Race
C7
Required Outcome/Objective: Widened access to under-represented groups at Assembly events over Wales
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Ensure marketing arrangements are suitable for different audiences and local/national groups are invited
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Events and Marketing Team
Measuring Success: Audience survey to inform delivery strategy; feedback forms form summer and other events enable us to see where we could improve if needed; and cross-reference exit survey and visitor profiles with marketing strategy
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
C8
Required Outcome/Objective: People from under-represented groups view and/or engage in Assembly proceedings (e.g. committees, plenary and the petitions system)
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Raise awareness and promote engagement using website and other appropriate media. Produce information targeted at different audiences (using languages other than English and Welsh and alternative formats)
Target Date(s): Year 2 and ongoing
Lead: Public Relations /Media, Website and Publications Teams
Measuring Success: Cross-reference marketing strategy objectives with Business Directorate evidence gathering and participative events programme
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
C9
Required Outcome/Objective: Frontline staff that are trained and feel confident in welcoming people with differing needs to the Assembly
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Arrange appropriate training for frontline staff and refresher training thereafter
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Visitor Services and Equality and Access Team
Measuring Success: Multi-skilled team, awareness of relevant issues and ownership of access and equality issues informing Communication service plan and activity
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
Action Plan - ICT
D1
Required Outcome/Objective: An accessible website that all people, including disabled people, can access easily
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Act on customer suggestions and feedback where appropriate
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: ICT
Measuring Success: Web-user feedback and compliance with AA web standards
Applicable to the following strands: Disability
D2
Required Outcome/Objective: IT equipment is accessible and made available for staff with specific requirements in a timely manner
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Identify requirements at earliest stage i.e. recruitment or when needs are identified (for existing employees)
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: ICT
Measuring Success: Feedback from staff
Applicable to the following strands: Disability
D3
Required Outcome/Objective: Development of new features for the website to enable full and equal public engagement
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Identify needs of customer (using feedback from our networks) and identify suitable adjustments
Target Date(s): Year 1/2
Lead: ICT
Measuring Success: Feedback reflects comments made by our networks and contacts. Our website is regarded as an exemplar in terms of accessibility
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
Action Plan - Procurement/Supply Management
E1
Required Outcome/Objective: Our suppliers operate to the highest standard in relation to equality issues; the supply chain is given a clear indication that equality is important to us as an organisation and that suppliers would be expected to act accordingly
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Explore how we could monitor contracts in terms of equality considerations and assess resource requirement needed to undertake this
Target Date(s): Year 2/3
Lead: Procurement Manager
Measuring Success: Contract managers feel confident that they are building equality considerations into contract award and maintenance
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
Action Plan - Estates and Facilities Management
F1
Required Outcome/Objective: Buildings that are safe, accessible, clean environments for staff, contracted staff, Assembly Members, their staff and visitors
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Regular maintenance, cleaning and health and safety assessments undertaken;
Act on access audit and feedback information to undertake adjustments to our buildings where required (to include Tŷ Hywel, Colwyn Bay Office, the Senedd and Pierhead Building)
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Estates and Facilities Management Team
Measuring Success: Customer feedback and results of future assessments and audits
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
F2
Required Outcome/Objective: Work spaces for staff, Assembly Members, their staff and other contracted staff that are ergonomic and accessible
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Regular DSE and workplace assessments undertaken
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Health and Safety Team/Estates and Facilities Management Team
Measuring Success: Measure number of DSE/risk assessments undertaken against action required
Applicable to the following strands: Disability
F3
Required Outcome/Objective: Health and Safety Risk Assessments that take account of equality and access considerations
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Health and Safety Team to work with Access Officer where necessary during H&S risk assessments
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Health and Safety Team/Estates and Facilities Management Team
Measuring Success: Actions resulting from risk assessments are acted on immediately
Applicable to the following strands: Disability
Action Plan - Security Team
G1
Required Outcome/Objective: Security team staff that are professional, trained and feel confident to deal with a diverse range of visitors with differing needs
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Staff to attend bespoke courses to meet needs and attend refresher training thereafter
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Security Team
Measuring Success: Staff that feel confident to deal with a diverse range of people and take ownership of equality and access issues
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
Action Plan - Assembly Business
H1
Required Outcome/Objective: Members are provided with opportunities to build in equality considerations to their work in the Assembly and in their constituencies
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Identify opportunities to build equality considerations into briefing for Assembly Members and committees; identify bespoke equality training for staff according to business/Assembly Members’ needs
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Members’ Research Service
Measuring Success: Increased reference to equality considerations in briefing provided. Assembly Members requesting and using the information MRS provides. Also, Members’ feedback on MRS briefings via the Customer Liaison Group
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
H2
Required Outcome/Objective: Research outputs published on the National Assembly for Wales’s web pages are as accessible as possible
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Outputs are published in the most accessible format possible, with options available for alternative formats if required
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Members’ Research Service and ICT
Measuring Success: Compliance with Web AA standards; Web-user feedback, including Disabled Critical Friends’ feedback
Applicable to the following strands: Disability; Race
H3
Required Outcome/Objective: Under-represented groups are consulted accordingly when scrutiny and legislative committees are calling for evidence
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Use centralised database of contacts - see External Communications; Advice from Equality and Access Team when required
Target Date(s): Year 2; Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Members’ Research Service, Committee Service and Legislation Office
Measuring Success: After identification of witnesses and consultees, under-represented groups’ views are heard
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
H4
Required Outcome/Objective: Records of plenary and committee meetings are fully accessible to staff, Assembly Members, and members of the public via the Assembly's website and fully compliant with AA standards
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Publish on time and respond to requests for alternative formats where appropriate
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Parliamentary Translation and Reporting and ICT
Measuring Success: Compliance with Web AA standards; Customer feedback
Applicable to the following strands: Disability; Race
H5
Required Outcome/Objective: Interpretation equipment is accessible to all staff, Assembly Members, committee witnesses, visitors and members of the public
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Notification of requirements to PTRS Business Unit to ensure that equipment is available
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Parliamentary Translation and Reporting and ICT
Measuring Success: Customer feedback
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
Action Plan - Legal Service Team
I1
Required Outcome/Objective: A member of the service specialises in equality issues and is responsible not only for giving specialist advice on such issues but also for disseminating information on such issues amongst other lawyers
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Identify lawyer to specialise equality issues; lawyers to disseminate information on equality issues to rest of team accordingly
Target Date(s): Year 1; Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Legal Service Team
Measuring Success: Assembly Members and staff have heightened awareness and knowledge of equality issues
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
I2
Required Outcome/Objective: All lawyers receive, before the end of the period of the Scheme, appropriate training focussed on legal equality issues
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Identify requirements for training and undertake training
Target Date(s): Year 3
Lead: Legal Service Team
Measuring Success: Lawyers have effective knowledge of equality legislation
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
I3
Required Outcome/Objective: Lawyers prepare regular reports to the Equality and Access Team on the current status of the Assembly and of the Commission within the framework of international, EC, UK and Welsh equality legislation
Action Required to Achieve Outcome/Objective: Lawyers to prepare reports as necessary and liaise with Equality and Access Team
Target Date(s): Year 1 and ongoing
Lead: Legal Service Team
Measuring Success: The Equality and Access Team is able to anticipate legislative change at the earliest opportunity
Applicable to the following strands: All strands
