DSA and the public sector Equality Duty
| Publisher: | Driving Standards Agency |
| Publication type: | Instructional |
| Published date: | 31 January 2012 |
| Mode/topic: | Roads, Appraisal and evaluation |
Summary
The public sector Equality Duty, at section 149 of the Equality Act, requires public bodies to consider all individuals when carrying out their day to day work – in shaping policy, in delivering services and in relation to their own employees. It requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different people when carrying out their activities.
The Equality Duty supports good decision making – it encourages public bodies to understand how different people will be affected by their activities, so that their policies and services are appropriate and accessible to all and meet different people’s needs. By understanding the effect of their activities on different people, and how inclusive public services can support and open up people’s opportunities, public bodies can be more efficient and effective. The Equality Duty therefore helps public bodies to deliver the government’s overall objectives for public services.
DSA’s staff
Equality monitoring
An analysis of staff diversity in DSA, for staff in post between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011.
Staff network groups
DSA has staff network groups for that cover issues including age, disability, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and transgender.
DSA’s customers
Statistics about customers
DSA publishes statistics about the number of people taking theory and practical driving tests. This includes information by gender, age and race.
Equality impact assessments
DSA carries out equality impact assessments to find out the impact of a policy or function on age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
Consultations
DSA consults with its stakeholders. Consultation can be done in a number of ways, from formal written consultation, to less formal approaches, such as meetings or workshops, letters or surveys.
Research
DSA conducts research when it needs further information to support the decision making process.
