Public Sector Equality Duty Reports 2023

Key to setting outcomes is that they are based on evidence and the outcome you want will make a difference to the lives of people. Outcomes provide opportunities to make a difference and make right what are often long-standing historic and systemic wrongs.

We published our first set of evidence-based equality outcomes in 2013. The outcomes subject of this progress report were set in 2021. The following section provides information on progress over the last 2 years; further information describing some of the work we have undertaken to progress each outcome; and what aspects of the general duty each outcome advances:

1. Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act 2010;
2. Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not; and
3. Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

Equality outcome 1: The housing needs of older and young people, disabled people and others with specific needs are met (General Duty Advanced 1 and 2)

Since 2021:

• 5,451 adaptations and have been made in the homes of older and disabled people across NL (council, housing association and private homes to support them to live independently in their own homes and 1,664 people have received assistive technology;
• 689 new homes have been built to varying needs standards;
• 120 more homes have been made available to meet the needs of disabled people, older people and those with long term conditions; and
• 618 women have been rehoused due to domestic abuse (2 via the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan) and 452 applications were received that included children. 95 men were rehoused.

From April 21-22:

• 67 16-17 year olds and 398 18-25 year olds were prevented from homelessness via the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan; and
• 1 person was made homeless directly from a care placement.

The integrated equipment and adaptations service continues to provide a service across tenures that makes a significant contribution to enabling and promoting independence.  This service enables people to remain in their own home for longer without having to move, enabling people to live close to family supports and networks and the provision of assistive technology and community alarms also makes a significant contribution in this respect.  To improve awareness of assistive technology and telecare the Technology Flat in Allershaw Tower, continues to play a key role both amongst staff groups and also amongst the general public on technology options available.

The Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan (RRTP) is in place and well underway and contains specific actions in relation to domestic abuse – specifically that a Housing Domestic Abuse Policy is developed.  This has now been implemented, being developed in partnership with the Violence Against Women Partnership in North Lanarkshire.  This policy sets out the range of actions and approaches that the housing service will take to effectively tackle domestic abuse.  Housing as part of the VAWG monitor referrals and approaches related to domestic abuse and work is underway with the wider housing sector (Register of Social Landlords) to improve information sharing related to MARAC and to increase development of similar policies amongst other housing organisations, as well as improving awareness of supports/services, referral pathways and training opportunities.  SAY Women service, will be continued for a further year and expanded to cover other areas in NL (currently Airdrie and Cumbernauld) to provide tenancy sustainment support to women aged 16-25 who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse or other form of sexual violence.

Equality outcome 2: Women, disabled people, young people and BAME people access employment and business opportunities and support (General Duty Advanced 2 and 3)

• 161 disabled people have been supported via the Prospects Programme and 49 BAME people;
• There have been 23 graduates of Project Search;
• From June 20-21, 61.5% and from June 2021-22 71% Project Search graduates moved into work within 12 months of graduating;
• Since April 2021 449 people have been supported via the Supported Employment 5 stage model;
• 20.9% in 20/21 and 15.7% in 21/22 of disabled people progressed from the Supported Enterprise Service who no longer require in work support from the service;
• In 2021 63 and in 2022 43 people had kept their job via Supported Employment Service (SES) for more than 2 years;
• From April 2021 – December 2022 948 business starts were supported through Business Gateway in North Lanarkshire:
  • 416 by women, 56 by disabled people and 44 by BAME people;
• 3 disabled and 5 BAME Managing Directors accessed the Business Recovery and Growth Fund; and
• 16 women accessed the Business Renewal Grant Fund from April 21- Dec 22.

Since April 2021, through targeted interventions via the Pipeline/No One Left Behind/Community Renewal Fund Programmes: 

• 164 lone parents have been supported into employment and 316 registered on programmes
• 86 young parents have been supported into employment and 139 registered on programmes
• 7 disabled parents have been supported into employment and 24 registered on programmes

• 29 disabled people have been supported into employment and 71 registered on programmes; and

90 BAME people have been supported into employment and 275 registered on programmes.

NLC Supported Enterprise Service also manage two Project Search Sites at University Hospital Wishaw and University Hospital Monklands. DFN Project Search is a partnership model between DFN, North Lanarkshire Council, New College Lanarkshire, NHS Lanarkshire and SERCO. The model is a place and train concept within NHS for disabled young people between the ages of 18 to 25 the students attend various work to gain experience and skills which are transferable to any working environment. During this time the young people are supported by a job coach and college lecturer who deliver soft skills. The job coach also supports the young people to apply for internal and external job opportunities. After the programme is finished if employment has not been achieved the young person will transfer to NLC supported employment service to be assigned a job coach who will support the young person to gain and sustain employment. University Hospital Wishaw site received an award from DFN Project Search at their annual conference in October 22 Highly Commended for achieving 80% employment outcomes for their 20-21 graduates.

Project Ability which is a 12 to 18 month paid work placement within council services, ALEO partner organisations or local employers This programme has been developed for young people to gain the transferable skills and experience required to apply for a mainstream job.

Business Gateway: WHO KNOWS Ltd, a female-led enterprise operating in a key sector for NLC (food & drink) and serving the highly competitive hospitality and catering markets has received Business Gateway adviser support as well as a number of business growth grants from North Lanarkshire Council, most recently in August 2022. The support provided, both recently and since the company’s launch in 2010, has assisted its overall growth as well as a significant increase in profitability despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the hospitality sector.

The women owned Alexander Manufacturing based in North Lanarkshire is the last remaining luxury clothing manufacturer in Scotland. Through Business Gateway grant funding the company has been able to purchase new machinery and increase its staffing which has led to productivity increases and an increase in orders.   

Equality outcome 3: Older and young people, women, disabled people and BAME people on low incomes and benefits access welfare and financial advice and support (General Duty Advanced 2)

Since April 2021:

• 476 young people received support re income maximisation;

• 4,476 working age people were supported in total. 168 people recorded as having a disability. However over 88% of people didn’t tell us if they were disabled or not.  Of those who did over 65% were disabled;
• 16 people who have no disability but are affected by disability were supported;
• 124 BAME people were supported. Of those who recorded their ethnicity this amounts to 6%; and
• 4037 women were supported. This amounts to 84% of all working age people supported were women.

Since April 21 our partnership with the Ethnic Minority Law Centre has:

• Assisted 99 different families;
• Took on 99 new cases;
• Assisted 119 people over the phone; and
• Provided 2nd tier advice to NL Citizens Advice Bureaux on 51 occasions.

Young Parents – BAME: Saanvi and Mohammed live in rented accommodation with their 4 children aged, 7,6 and twins aged 4.  After carrying out a benefit check, it was established that the Scottish child Payment was only being paid for one of the twins.  An application was made and the payment awarded, resulting in a £1,040 per annum increase to the household income.

Young Parents: John and Mary have two children aged 11 and 13.  John contacted the service following a decision to refuse his application for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the welfare rights officer worked with John gathering medical evidence and completing a mandatory reconsideration.  John was awarded enhanced rate of both mobility and care.  

Mary works and receives a top up of Universal Credit to her salary.  The couple were assisted to claim the Scottish Child Payment, following a benefit check identified this was not in payment.

As a result of the intervention the couple are now £206.90 per week better off and also received a backdated award of PIP amounting to £5,020.80.

Working Age Disabled: Jenna contacted the service to seek help to complete an Adult Disability Payment following a period of long-term sickness from her job.  Jenna’s claim was successful and she received £61.85 per week with a back dated award of £1,113.30.

Ethnic Minority Law Centre: The recovery from the pandemic has put considerable stress on families in North Lanarkshire with an Immigration limitation, many whom have lost jobs or are struggling financially and have not been able to acquire financial support due to their immigration status or limitation. The EMLC has applied and wrote to the Home office for many families asking to remove the Public funds restrictions for exceptional circumstances. This support and change has given a lifeline to many families and alleviates the stress and anxiety of financial debt and burdens.

EMLC also provides 2nd tier advice support to NL Citizens Advice Bureaux on immigration matters involving domestic abuse, Spouse visa’s and employment rights.