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GOOD PRACTICE GUIDANCE CONSULTATION WITH EQUALITIES GROUPS
PART 4: OVERVIEW
This booklet has identified many considerations for ensuring that consultation processes include all members of the community. From the many examples provided by statutory and community-based organisations, it is clear that consultation works best when equalities issues are considered from the start, and the ways of including groups are identified. This should be beneficial for all participants, not only equalities groups.
The best approaches involve improving access to mainstream consultation processes combined with specific methods to get the views of "hard to reach" groups. Ongoing, regular consultation, based on capacity building and support to groups, is also considered successful and can enable groups to participate in one-off consultations.
The following are the main guiding principles that underpin consultation with equalities groups.
- Equalities groups should be included in all consultations.
- Effective consultation with equalities groups requires careful planning, making sure that there is enough time at each stage of the process.
- Consideration of equalities issues should be built in from the beginning of any process.
- It is important to get beyond the "usual suspects" and take proactive steps to identify and include "hard to reach" groups which are not traditionally involved in consultation.
- It is important to recognise that the inclusion or exclusion of groups should not be based upon the numbers of individuals involved.
- In virtually all cases, the best way of identifying how to involve equalities groups in a consultation is to include them in the planning process.
- Each method chosen must be appropriate for the group involved, for example, in some cases written methods may be suitable, in others face-to-face methods or a mix of methods may be better.
- Many equalities groups lack resources and this often affects whether they can respond to consultations. It is important to take steps to ensure that all views can be included by providing support (financial or otherwise) to allow them to participate.
- At the very least, it is important to allow some flexibility in how people can respond to a consultation, for example, by accepting telephone comments.
- Long-term relationships between the public sector and equalities groups (often involving support) are now developing. These can enable groups to take part in consultation, as well increasing the overall understanding of wider issues.
- Accessible information is central to good consultation, but needs careful planning and can be time-consuming. Assistance should be sought from specialist organisations to identify, for example, which formats or languages will be required and how the information should be presented.
- It is critical that inclusive language (verbal and written) is used.
- Images used in documents, or in presentations, must reflect diversity. If not, the process will suggest that the participation of equalities groups is not valued.
- The way that inappropriate staff attitudes and behaviour can affect the involvement of equalities groups should be acknowledged. Appropriate training and guidance should be provided.
- There is no justification for any consultation event being inaccessible to any group. Venues should be physically accessible and support for interpretation, transport or care responsibilities should be provided.
- Good practice suggests that consultations should be open and transparent. There are, however, good reasons why some equalities groups might require confidentiality and this should be offered and respected.
- It is good practice to provide feedback to respondents on how their views have contributed to policy and practice, as well as giving reasons why some suggestions may not have not been taken forward.
The number and range of consultations in Scotland is likely to continue to grow (given the current focus of local authorities and the Scottish Executive). Organisations need to take account of all of these issues. This booklet has not provided an exhaustive "checklist" of considerations, as this could never be comprehensive. It does, however, help to identify and address some potential barriers before they arise. It is important to continue to share experience. Organisations need to learn from each other, and, most importantly, from communities. It is also important to continue to improve consultation practice to make it more inclusive. Consultation, when carried out effectively, is neither straightforward, quick nor cheap. It can, however, help to ensure that policy and practice reflect the issues and requirements of all groups in the community. As such, it will continue to be an essential part of the democratic process in Scotland.
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