Equality evidence strategy 2023 to 2025: engaging with stakeholder organisations

This paper sets out the Scottish Government’s planned approach to engaging with stakeholder organisations throughout the development of the next iteration of Scotland’s equality evidence strategy. Note that direct engagement with people with lived experience will be covered through separate work within the Equality Data Improvement Programme (EDIP), but it is expected that equality advocacy organisations will engage with their members and the people they represent to inform their response.

Background

Equality evidence strategy 2017 to 2021

The Equality evidence strategy 2017-2021 set out our vision that “Scotland’s equality evidence base becomes more wide-ranging and robust, enabling national and local policy makers to develop sound, inclusive policy and measure the impact on all of Scotland’s equality groups”.

Achieving this vision would enable more effective contributions to the collective effort across the public sector to fulfil the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).

The strategy is now due for review and the next iteration will cover the years 2023-25. Our aim is that the new Equality Evidence Strategy will re-examine key aspects, such as the vision and purpose, but this time will be accompanied by an equality data improvement plan that sets out key milestones and priorities to filling equality gaps rather than just identifying them. It will also make clear the role of equality data in undertaking (ongoing) equality impact assessments and service improvement.

Equality Data Improvement Programme (EDIP)

The next iteration of the Equality Evidence Strategy will build on work undertaken as part of the first phase of the Scottish Government’s EDIP, which launched in April 2021. The EDIP aims to strengthen Scotland’s equality evidence base, which will in turn enable policy makers to develop sound and inclusive policy to improve service delivery and outcomes for people in Scotland with protected characteristics.

The EDIP is governed by a Project Board, which is chaired jointly by the Scottish Government’s Chief Statistician and Chief Social Researcher. The Project Board brings together Scottish Government officials with representatives from a range of external partner public sector bodies with a key interest in mainstreaming equalities. The Project Board provides support and strategic input into the design and delivery of projects, supports join-up across the public sector and contributes to the identification of sources of practical expertise and guidance in equality data analysis.

The first phase of the EDIP, which will conclude in December 2022, has two key aims: to share learning and good practice and data development. Through the sharing of learning and good practice we aim to build knowledge and skills required to analyse, report and use equality data across the Scottish Government and wider public sector. A number of actions aim to understand the barriers to data collection, analysis and reporting, as well as to build immediate capacity through the sharing of evidence-based learning and good practice. Through data development, the EDIP seeks to increase the availability of robust equality datasets, establish new equality datasets to fill gaps, and undertake domain-specific equality data improvements.

Engagement context

In September 2021, we published a document setting out the communications and engagement strategy for the EDIP including the key objectives, principles for communications and engagement, stakeholder mapping, and details of ongoing communications.

In addition to the contributions of the EDIP Project Board, we will take on board the outputs of, and build on, recent stakeholder engagement we carried out on equality evidence and data to ensure that we do not duplicate topics already discussed and recommendations already made. The wider engagement context includes:

• the consultation on the operation on the Public Sector Equality Duty in Scotland, which closed on 11 April 2022, and earlier questionnaire sent to listed authorities and some equality advocacy groups in July 2021
• the Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Strategy, which will work to embed equality and human rights through Scottish Government policy, will be underpinned by improvement in how we collect and use data, and by improvements in how we harness lived experience to ensure that policy works for those with protected characteristics in a way that ensures that fundamental human rights are protected, respected and fulfilled
• ongoing work of the Cross Justice Working Group on Race Data and Evidence
• discussions and forthcoming recommendations of the Non-Binary Working Group
• recommendations of the First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls, published in January 2021 (see also the Scottish Government response)
• recommendations of the Expert Reference Group on COVID-19 and Ethnicity, published in September 2020 (see also the Scottish Government response and for progress made on actions to implement these recommendations up to September 2021)
• the newly-established Centre for Expertise in Equality and Human Rights within the Scottish Government, which offers an opportunity to improve the use of equality data in economic policy making

We will also take into account the report and recommendations of the Inclusive Data Taskforce, which was published in September 2021 by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and the subsequent Inclusive Data Taskforce Implementation Plan, which summarises known current and planned initiatives across the UK statistical system including those that will be carried out by the Scottish Government.

Ahead of engaging with stakeholders on the Equality Evidence Strategy, we will identify key recommendations and learning points relevant to our considerations for the strategy. These will be used to shape the topics of engagement undertaken through the proposed activities.

Mission statement

To ensure that individuals, organisations and other parts of the Scottish Government have an opportunity to shape the next iteration of the Equality Evidence Strategy in a way which takes on board their experiences, interests and needs thereby maximising and widening:

• participation in the development of the next Equality Evidence Strategy across a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• the ambition of the actions within the next Equality Evidence Strategy
• transparency throughout the process
• trust in the collection, analysis and use of equality data by the Scottish Government

Objectives

The key objectives of stakeholder engagement in relation to development of the Equality Evidence Strategy are to ensure that:

• the next iteration of the Equality Evidence Strategy is developed with a wide range of stakeholders
• actions within the next Equality Evidence Strategy are informed by the views and expertise of those with knowledge of equality data collection, analysis, presentation and use, and those impacted by gaps in the equality evidence base
• we build on consultation and engagement activities already undertaken with stakeholders on equality data and evidence, and to ensure linkage with ongoing work programmes and groups across the public sector and Scottish Government to mainstream equalities
• we ultimately produce an Equality Evidence Strategy that facilitates more inclusive policy making and stronger equality impact assessment to ensure we take evidence-based action to address inequality of outcomes

Principles for engagement

Collaboration

We will work with stakeholders to prioritise data gaps and improvement actions to be taken forward in the Equality Evidence Strategy 2023 to 2025.

Openness

We recognise the need to have honest and open dialogue with stakeholders in terms of what can be achieved. We will communicate the real constraints that limit the collection, analysis and use of equality data, and recognise that there might be differing perspectives on what our priorities for improvement should be.

Accessibility

Engagement activities will aim to reach a range of audiences, and will be designed to reduce barriers to participation. In facilitating different kinds of engagement, we will ensure that space is made for everyone to contribute if they wish to. We will be clear and consistent in our communications, using plain English and avoiding jargon, and producing easy read and large print outputs.

Proactivity

We will proactively share updates and seek the opinions of stakeholders throughout the development of the new Equality Evidence Strategy, listening and taking account of others’ views.

Action

We will create opportunities for meaningful participation and provide feedback to participants and the wider public, on the results of the engagement process and difference it has made.

Who we will engage with and the priority issues

A stakeholder mapping exercise was undertaken to inform the communications and engagement approach to the EDIP. This has been used to identify key interest groups that we want to engage with through the development of the next Equality Evidence Strategy. Below we set out the key interest groups and what the priority issues for engagement with each group. We will identify individuals, organisations and networks to proactively engage within each stakeholder category. 

Equality data users, including policy professionals and analysts across the public sector

Anticipated interest of this group: Are likely to want to efficiently locate and access the equality-relevant data and evidence that is already produced and prompt action to fill gaps.

Public sector organisations are likely to require equality evidence to meet their duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). Key aspects of the Scottish Specific Duties (SSDs) are data collection and publication, in order to encourage better evidence-informed decision making and increase transparency and accountability. It is therefore important that information collected and/or published on the basis of the duties is then used to inform decisions and action that will lead to real change. The Scottish Government is currently underway with a review of the PSED. The Stage One report concluded that the PSED, supported by the SSDs, is worthwhile but there is a need to make better use of evidence and data.

May have direct experience of requesting or producing equality-relevant data breakdowns in response to user need.

Priority issues for the Scottish Government: We would like to obtain your feedback on: how you use equality evidence; the proposed improvement actions, including priorities and suggested additions; and key equality data gaps.

Scottish Government offer:

• we will keep you informed
• we will listen to your concerns and aspirations and work with you to address them
• we will give serious consideration to your contributions
• we will provide feedback on how your input has influenced the strategy

How we will reach this group:

• we will proactively contact known internal and external equality evidence users including at all levels in the public sector, third sector and academics through direct contact with individuals and organisations and through existing networks and mailing lists
• within the Scottish Government, this will involve contacting members of the staff diversity networks and use of Yammer to make contact with analysts/policy officials
• we will ask the Equality Data Improvement Programme (EDIP) Project Board to promote the consultation within their organisation and networks
• we will identify key stakeholders and invite them to participate in relevant engagement events
• we will promote the written consultation on social media

Public sector data collectors and managers

Anticipated interest of this group: Are likely to want to collect robust, high quality equality-relevant data that meets user need. May have knowledge of evidence gaps and expertise in ways to fill them, but still benefit from the sharing of good practice in the collection, analysis and presentation of equality data. May face barriers in collection, analysing or publishing equality evidence.

Priority issues for the Scottish Government: We would like to obtain your feedback on: the barriers facing you in the collection and analysis of robust equality data; plans for equality data improvement in your organisations; and opportunities for collaboration. We would like to work with you to agree improvement actions based on user need and understand the resource implications.

Scottish Government offer:

• we will keep you informed
• we will look to you for advice and innovation in formulating solutions
• we will listen to your concerns and aspirations and work with you to address them
• we will provide feedback on how your input has influenced the strategy

How we will reach this group:

• we will make use of existing networks, including the NHS Equality and Diversity Leads Network, Scottish National Equality Improvement Programme (SNEIP), the Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPB) Equality Forum and the Scottish Council’s Equality Network (SCEN)
• we will also make contact with key organisations, such as Social Security Scotland and COSLA
• we will offer further one-to-one meetings if required or follow-up meetings as well as keeping stakeholders updated

Academics and equality data experts

Anticipated interest of this group: Are likely to have relevant expertise on data collection, analysis and presentation, and may want to share this.

Priority issues for the Scottish Government: We would like to obtain your feedback on: proposed improvement actions and opportunities for collaboration.

We would like to work with you to develop solutions to filling equality data and evidence gaps.

Scottish Government offer:

• we will keep you informed
• we will be open to your influence
• we will look to you for advice and innovation in formulating solutions
• we will provide feedback on how your input has influenced the strategy

How we will reach this group: We will reach academics and data experts through existing groups and networks, including EBAG and the advisory group for the Gender Equality Index.

Equality advocacy groups, including organisations representing protected characteristics

Anticipated interest of this group: Are likely to wish to express their views and ensure these are taken into account with respect to the protected characteristic or intersectionality they represent.

Priority issues for the Scottish Government: We would to obtain your feedback on proposed improvement actions and priorities for improvement. We would like to understand if you use or gather equality evidence and, if so, how. We would like to work with you to develop the vision of the Equality Evidence Strategy 2023-25. 

Scottish Government offer:

• we will keep you informed
• we will provide information openly and transparently
• we will listen to your concerns and aspirations and work with you to address them
• we will work with you to ensure that your concerns and aspirations are reflected in the strategy that is developed
• we will provide feedback on how your input has influenced the strategy

How we will reach this group:

• we will work with policy professionals in the Scottish Government’s Equality Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate to identify equality advocacy organisations representing each protected characteristic, including through a review of existing working group membership and respondents to the recent Public sector Equality Duty in Scotland: consultation
• we are aware that there is also a commitment that those with care experience should be consulted on Scottish Government policy so we will also proactively contact organisations representing those with care experience

Regulatory and scrutiny bodies

Anticipated interest of this group: May wish to provide their views on what equality data is collected and how it is used.

Priority issues for the Scottish Government: We would like your feedback on key equality evidence gaps and how we could address these.

Scottish Government offer:

• we will keep you informed
• we will give serious considerations to your contributions
• we will provide feedback on how your input has influenced the strategy

How we will reach this group: We will proactively engage with regulatory and scrutiny bodies, particularly the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) as the regulator of the Public Sector Equality Duty. We will proactively engage with the EHRC through existing connections. The Scottish Government’s Mainstreaming and Strategy Unit has regular catch ups with the EHRC and they are also represented on a number of the working groups mentioned above.

In addition we will proactively engage with:

• Strategic Scrutiny Group – we updated the Strategy Scrutiny Group on the EDIP and received helpful feedback from the group
• Audit Scotland

Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Government Equalities Office (GEO)

Anticipated interest of this group: Shared interest in equality data improvement, and are undertaking parallel work programmes around improving equality evidence, including through work being undertaken following the recommendations of the Inclusive Data Taskforce (led by the ONS).

Priority issues for the Scottish Government: We will look to you for advice and innovation in formulating solutions to the gaps we have identified.

Scottish Government offer:

• we will keep you informed
• we will provide feedback on how your input has influenced the strategy

How we will reach this group: we will make use of existing connections with officials at the ONS and GEO.

How we will engage

We will undertake a range of activities to inform, consult and involve stakeholders in the development of the Equality Evidence Strategy 2023-25.

Inform:

• social media updates via the @EqualityPoverty Twitter account
• detailed progress updates via blogs.gov.scot
• publish a clear 'We Asked, You Said, We Did' report

Consult:

• written consultation on the draft improvement plans
• discussion groups to supplement the written consultation

Involve:

• one-to-one meetings
• written feedback on the draft strategy

Engagement activities

Written consultation on draft improvement plans

We will undertake a written consultation on the content of the draft improvement plans. The consultation will be registered on Citizen Space and published on the Scottish Government website. We will ensure that consultation documents are written in plain English and that we also publish large print and easy read versions of the consultation documents.

The purpose of the written consultation is to obtain stakeholders’ appraisal of:

• the contents of the draft improvement plans
• the scale and ambition of proposed actions
• evidence gaps that have not been addressed in draft improvement plans
• alternative actions that could be undertaken to address the identified gaps

The consultation will be open to all to contribute. However, to ensure that we consult with stakeholders with technical knowledge and expertise in the datasets identified and proposed actions discussed in the draft improvement plans, we will proactively contact a number of stakeholders to encourage their participation.

The responses to the consultation will be used to revise, prioritise and supplement the actions proposed in the draft improvement plans.

Stakeholder discussion workshops

We will host a series of workshops to supplement the formal written consultation. The aim of these events is to supplement the formal consultation responses by inviting users/stakeholders to:

• provide their views on the proposed improvement actions, including any gaps
• identify priority areas for improvement including in trust of data
• suggest alternative approaches
• shape the overall ambition of the strategy, including the indicators of success

There will be a series of workshops held whilst the consultation is open for responses. The following sets out the groups that will be invited to the workshops.

Group 1: Stakeholder groups with a primary interest in key equality variables, including the nine protected characteristics, and intersectionalities between characteristics. This will include equality advocacy organisations and, where applicable, academics and other experts. Attendees at these workshops will be encouraged to take an intersectional approach.

Group 2: Equality data users. This will include policy makers and service providers across the public sector.

We will host the workshops virtually and make use of digital tools to encourage participation, including providing large print and easy read versions of any key documentation, and providing clear agendas prior to meetings. We will also engage smaller groups in breakout discussions to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate, and will consider using independent facilitators.