Social security advocacy service standards: consultation

Annex E: Equality Impact Assessment Summary

At present we think that the advocacy service standard regulations will apply equally to those affected by its provisions. The provision of improved advocacy support is expected to have a positive impact on disabled people. This will support them to represent their own interests and better participate in decision making processes to obtain the benefits they are entitled to.

The impacts of the advocacy service standards on groups who share protected characteristics are set out below.

Age

The advocacy service standards will not negatively impact on younger or older people as they will ensure a consistent quality of service being provided, irrespective of the age of the recipient. The service standards will apply to advocacy support provided to anyone with a disability, regardless of their age. We would welcome any comments or evidence in relation to this area.

Disability

The advocacy service standards are expected to have a positive impact for disabled people as they will ensure a consistent, high-quality advocacy service is being provided, irrespective of the nature of the person's disability. We would welcome any comments or evidence in relation to this area.

Gender reassignment

We have not identified any issues in regards to this protected characteristic and we do not expect the advocacy service standards to negatively impact on this group. The service standards will apply to advocacy support provided to anyone with a disability, regardless of the characteristic of gender reassignment. We would welcome any comments or evidence in relation to this area.

Marriage and civil partnership

We have not identified any issues in regards to this protected characteristic and we do not expect the advocacy service standards to negatively impact on this group. The service standards will apply to advocacy support provided to anyone with a disability, regardless of whether they are married or in a civil partnership. We would welcome any comments or evidence in relation to this area.

Pregnancy and maternity

We have not identified any issues in regards to this protected characteristic and we do not expect the advocacy service standards to negatively impact on this group. The service standards will apply to advocacy support provided to anyone with a disability, regardless of pregnancy and maternity characteristics. We would welcome any comments or evidence in relation to this area.

Race

We have not identified any issues in regards to this protected characteristic and we don't expect the advocacy service standards to negatively impact on this group. The service standards will apply to advocacy support provided to anyone with a disability, regardless of their race. We would welcome any comments or evidence in relation to this area.

We recognise that asylum seekers cannot normally claim benefits and if they are destitute they must apply to the Home Office for assistance. However, young asylum seekers under the age of 18 that have no recourse to public funds can claim Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment. The majority of asylum seekers will, as a result, not be eligible for advocacy support in respect of Scottish social security. Individuals granted refugee or humanitarian protection status (after 5 years, they can apply for indefinite leave to remain) can claim benefits and would, therefore, be eligible for advocacy support to which the service standards apply, if they have a disability.

Religion or Belief

We have not identified any issues in regard to this protected characteristic and we don't expect it to negatively impact on this group. The service standards will apply to advocacy support provided to anyone with a disability, regardless of their religion or belief. We would welcome any comments or evidence in relation to this area.

Sex

We have not identified any issues in regard to this protected characteristic and we don't expect it to negatively impact on this group. The service standards will apply to advocacy support provided an individual with a disability, regardless of their sex. We would welcome any comments or evidence in relation to this area.

Sexual orientation

We have not identified any issues in regard to this protected characteristic and we do not expect the advocacy service standards to negatively impact on this group. The service standards will apply to advocacy support provided to anyone with a disability, regardless of their sexual orientation. We would welcome any comments or evidence in relation to this area.