Equality Action Plan 2011 - 2016

As part of the Scottish Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) there is a requirement for all listed Scottish public bodies to develop and publish equality outcomes by 30 April 2013.  While the SPCB is not subject to the PSED, a set of equality outcomes have been produced to complement the work already carried out as part of meeting the UK Public Sector Equality Duty. 

These outcomes are aligned to the actions set out below in the SPCB Equality Action Plan 2011-16 and provide a stronger link to what actions will be delivered on equality and the intended overall result.  In addition, the formulation of these outcomes strengthens the evidence gathered to demonstrate the SPCB’s achievements towards meeting the UK Equality Duty.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission defines an outcome as “results intended to achieve specific and identifiable improvements in peoples’ life chances. It is a result a listed authority aims to achieve in order to further one or more of the needs of the General Equality Duty”. With that in mind, there are six outcomes that will enable the SPCB to further the needs of the General Duty. They relate to engagement; communication and information; accessibility of the building and services; employment policy and practice; the Scottish Parliamentary Service; and Knowledge and Understanding.  The six outcomes are:

Outcome 1: Engagement	Outcome 2: Communication and Information	Outcome 3: Accessibility of the Building and Services	Outcome 4: Employment Policy and Practice	Outcome 5: Scottish Parliamentary Service	Outcome 6: Knowledge and Understanding
Communities who are less engaged with the Parliament have the support, skills and knowledge to be able to participate and engage fully with the Scottish Parliament.	People from protected groups are better informed about the Scottish Parliament.	The Holyrood building is a place where people can have a positive experience of the Scottish Parliament.	People from protected groups are better reflected with the Scottish Parliamentary Service (SPS) workforce.	The Scottish Parliament is a positive and inclusive workplace for all SPS staff.	Staff and Members have the appropriate knowledge and expertise to make better informed decisions about the diverse needs and experiences of protected groups.