The Equality framework has been designed to ensure that race, gender, disability, age, sexuality and religious beliefs are considered at all levels of council policy and practice.
Using five levels, local authorities will adopt a comprehensive and systematic approach to ensure these levels cover all aspects of policy-making, service delivery and employment. These five areas are:
- Knowing your communities and equality mapping
- Place shaping, leadership, partnership and organisational commitment
- Community engagement and satisfaction
- Responsive services and customer care
- A modern and diverse workforce
This revised Equality Standard requires local authorities to develop a participation strategy with local community groups to ensure that there are mechanisms in place to report their activities and the groups are involved in review and scrutiny of council policy and practice.
There are three grades which are awarded to councils after assessment:
- Developing
- Achieving
- Excellence
In 2009, Cambridgeshire County Council successfully attained 'Achieving' under the framework, following a full 'Diversity Peer Challenge' assessment.