The Scottish Government

« Previous | Contents | Next »

Listen

CHAPTER 7 -GATHERING INFORMATION AND MAKING USE OF INFORMATION

Scottish Government Analytical Services Divisions

7.1 Research and evidence helps us to think about new and better ways of doing what we do and provides new insights, understandings and discoveries that are to the benefit of Scotland. The Scottish Government funds a wide range of analytical activity which both contributes to the knowledge base of Scotland, the UK and internationally and helps us to inform and assess Scottish Government policies.

7.2 All of the main Scottish Government Directorates have a dedicated Analytical Services Division ( ASD), which provides integrated analytical support from social researchers, statisticians and economists which allow them to develop and resource a relevant and focussed evidence base which includes economic appraisal, social research, evaluation and statistical analysis.

Delivering the Duty: The Importance of Evidence

7.3 The Scottish Government ( SG) is committed to evidence based policy-making. This means that we work to ensure we develop and implement good quality policies on the basis of sound evidence (or data). We gather evidence from a range of sources, for example, we may review published research or commission new studies where research is missing or limited. We analyse information and statistics and we consult with people who have knowledge, expertise and relevant experience of the issues in question.

7.4 We recognise the importance of continually improving the quality of our evidence, particularly in terms of equality data. Specifically, we understand the need to provide a comprehensive picture of the experiences of equalities groups and explore where differences between social groups may be due to disadvantage arising from inequality of opportunity and/or discrimination.

7.5 We also recognise that the disability equality duty requires us to gather and analyse information in order to develop disability equality action plans and to review the effectiveness of those action plans.

7.6 In order to build upon our commitment to disability equality and to take forward the disability equality duty, we need to ensure that public policy properly reflects the needs, experiences and views of disabled people. As such, it is important that the information, research and data that we collect take disability issues into account.

7.7 To meet this end, analysts across the Scottish Government have committed to a programme of work that will help us achieve the following aims:

• Improve information collected on equalities groups where gaps are identified;
• Increase the availability, accessibility and quality of data;
• Maximise the use of evidence in helping to identify and evaluate policies and action, which will achieve greater equality and, to help us to guard against potential adverse impacts of policy on social groups;
• Ensure that data are used effectively and systematically to evidence outcomes; and
• Ensure that evidence/data will be used effectively and systematically as part of the process of reviewing the effectiveness of the disability equality scheme and to inform the development of future schemes.

7.8 The achievement of these objectives will be crucial in underpinning the effective discharge of the disability equality duty and the review and implementation of future schemes by the Scottish Government.

Delivering the Duty: Commitment to Mainstreaming across the Scottish Government

7.9 We are committed to mainstreaming equalities into the work of analysts by:

• Strengthening central support for mainstreaming and working to build capacity;
• Improving access to equality evidence/data; and,
• Developing a longer term strategy for improving evidence/data to make information and analysis more accessible.

a) Central Support for Mainstreaming and Building Capacity

Social Justice Analytical Unit

7.10 A Social Justice Analytical Unit was established in 2007 to provide analytical support to the Scottish Government Equality Unit and support mainstreaming of equalities across the three analytical groups - statisticians, social researchers and economists. The Unit has been responsible for coordinating the Scottish Government's input to the ONS led Equalities Data Review of UK data on equalities and, developing and implementing Equality Impact Assessment ( EQIA) training for Scottish Government analysts.

7.11 The Unit is responsible for coordinating forthcoming work to promote the consistent use of official disability classifications across all Scottish Government statistical surveys and administrative data collections. Guidance on these classifications will be available in 2009.

7.12 The Unit will also continue to have an integral role helping analysts to build the capacity of their ASDs to provide sound equalities evidence and analysis which will inform and support policy. In so doing, the Unit will continue to support equalities mainstreaming across analytical groups to help ensure that good evidence and analysis is built into EQIA processes and public duty schemes and annual reporting.

Equality Analysts Working Group

7.13 This group was first established in 2006 to address more specific issues around equality definitions, data collection and use of evidence/data. The group membership and remit is currently under review to take account of the change in Government in May 2007 and the subsequent restructuring of our organisation.

7.14 The group will be re-launched in summer 2008 with the aim of developing capacity and awareness of equality issues across the SG. Its members will be drawn from across the Scottish Government's ASDs and will be balanced in terms of the three professional analyst groups - social researchers, statisticians and economists.

7.15 The purpose of the group will be to provide practical support and advice on mainstreaming equalities across analyst professions by:

• Developing equality briefing packs for specific policy areas;
• Improving analytical support to EQIAs;
• Coordinating ASD input to future revisions of public duty schemes and annual reporting;
• Considering better ways of ensuring that equality data are accessible and available to policy at the right time; and
• Looking at options for improving the consistency of data collected across research and surveys.

7.16 There will be a specific focus on disability issues and the disability duties as well as equalities issues more broadly.

Linking Information Gathering to Action Planning

7.17 We recognise the importance of gathering information to inform action plans. ASDs are focusing on assisting Directorates to gather information in relation to the actions identified in their business plans thus, supporting equality mainstreaming in the business planning process. This information will inform EQIA and policy development, as well as systems for monitoring and recording - enabling a better understanding of the effectiveness of policies and the outcomes for disabled people.

7.18 The Equality Analyst Working Group will have an integral role here supporting ASDs to assist their Directorates to gather information to inform their business plans.

Indicators and Outcomes

7.19 The Scottish Government's performance framework was published on 14 November 2007 following the Scottish Government Spending Review ( SR). The SR framework sets out a series of high level indicators, outcomes and related targets against which the current Administration will monitor its performance.

7.20 The Social Justice Analytical Unit will continue to work with ASDs to ensure that the equality dimensions of these indicators, outcomes and targets are monitored and delivered in an evidence based way. The Unit will also continue to work with other bodies outwith the Scottish Government to ensure the necessary linkage between the equality dimensions of the SR framework and other frameworks used by these bodies.

7.21 The Office of the Chief Statistician ( OCS) is facilitating this process by making available to all ASDs, and others in the Scottish Government, a database of statistical outputs and sources. The database will indicate which data are available on each equality group (including for disabled people) on each of the Scottish Government's statistical outputs and sources (170 sources and 150 outputs).

7.22 The database went 'live' on the Scottish Government's intranet on 31 ^st January 2008 and is currently being populated by statisticians across the Government. The database is due to be rolled out to all ASDs (in spring 2008) and more widely across the Government in autumn 2007. The database will be updated on a regular basis.

b) Improving Access to Equality Evidence/Data

The 'Portal to Resources and Information on Mainstreaming Equalities' ( PRIME)

7.23 The PRIME website pulls together links to a wide range of research and statistical evidence across a full range of equality and policy areas, and is designed to help colleagues review and strengthen the evidence relevant to disabled people (and other equalities groups) within policy areas. The website has been promoted and used in particular to inform EQIAs.

7.24 The website use and content is to be reviewed in summer 2008 by the Equality Analyst Working Group in light of the Scottish Government's priorities.

High Level Summary of Equalities Statistics

7.25 The High Level Summary of Equality Statistics ( HLSES) was published in November 2006 and continues to provide an important source of evidence on equalities. Communities ASD will be reviewing the role and scope of this publication in collaboration with the Equality Analysts Working Group from summer 2007.

c) Longer Term Strategy for Improving Evidence/Data

7.26 We continue to work to improve the collection and analysis of equalities evidence and data, particularly in terms of the kinds of information collected on the needs, views and experiences of disabled people. All national surveys break down data by the equalities strands and more work is being done by various directorates and agencies to link mainstreaming concerns with data collection and analysis issues. Examples of how we intend to improve the collection and analysis of evidence and data are discussed below.

Building Equalities into our Processes

7.27 The Office of Chief Researcher ( OCR) published a new version of the Guidance for Commissioning and Managing Social Research on the 15 ^th January 2007. This version includes a new separate section on mainstreaming equality issues, including disability equality in social research commissioning and management as well as other references throughout, including compliance with equalities duties. The forms used during the research procurement process have also been updated to include equalities issues. These documents will continue to be updated as required.

7.28 The OCR guidance on publication of Social Research has also recently been updated to include guidance on accessible websites and the importance of providing reports in Ariel 14 point where there is likely to be a significant interest for disabled people.

7.29 OCR will also be undertaking further work during 2008 to develop intranet pages/click through guidance to assist with considering equalities when procuring research. There are also plans to update the contract letter so that it specifically mentions equality issues.

7.30 The CERES (Central Research) database also collects information on whether equality issues have been considered in the procurement of social research. There are plans to update this function during 2008 to make it a mandatory field completed by all research managers. This will allow for more detailed information on equality issues to be collected on social research projects.

7.31 Further, the Ethics Working Group is developing a checklist for research project managers. The checklist will ask questions about whether all equalities issues have been addressed in the development, procurement and management of all social research commissioned projects.

Disability Definitions

7.32 Work has now begun to develop a better and more consistent approach to collecting data on disabled people. The Scottish Government has long recognised the importance of taking a social approach to understanding disability. For example, a literature review on Communication Support Needs ( CSN), published in June 2007, was based on the social model of disability, and looked at the needs and experiences of people with CSN and the barriers they face when accessing services.

7.33 We have already begun discussions with Scottish Government analysts about the categories we use to collect data on disability and to develop a joint work programme to improve the data we collect. We have worked with the General Registrars Office for Scotland to promote the use of the Disability Discrimination Act definition to inform the Scottish Census disability categories for the 2011 Scottish Census and, to flag up the need for longer term work beyond that to create better categories. Analysts and policy-makers will benefit from consistent disability definitions used in surveys because it will ensure that survey data are comparable when they are used in policy impact assessment and evaluation.

Attitudinal Data

7.34 It will also be important to collect data which will inform the promotion of more positive attitudes towards disability. The Scottish Government commissioned a module in the 2006 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey to explore attitudes to discrimination in Scotland, the results of which were published in December 2007. This survey explored attitudes towards people with learning disabilities and towards positive action for disabled people applying for jobs. This survey module provided us with important information on people's perceptions of disability and the extent to which respondents knew people with physical or learning disabilities.

7.35 Work here is ongoing. Communities ASD will be working in conjunction with the EHRC to consider the policy implications of the attitudinal research findings related to disabled people, and look at ongoing needs for evidence on attitudes towards disabled people.

Data Comparing Social Groups

7.36 If we are to address inequality effectively, we need to use data to compare and contrast the experiences and views of disabled men and women with those of non-disabled people, and avoid focusing too narrowly on women or disabled people as isolated groups. Where sample sizes permit, we should also understand more about the complex interlinkages between gender, poverty, race, age etc.

7.37 Although there are technical challenges involved in breaking down information on groups that are statistically small in number, we are making progress on finding solutions to these challenges by undertaking work, through the harmonisation work programme, to integrate the samples of the Scottish Government's five core surveys ¹. The work programme is aiming for survey samples to be added together (possibly as early as July 2009), to produce a larger, more robust sample available for analysis, including on disability.

Exploring Various Methods

7.38 Where necessary, and if required, we will explore various methods such as the use of standalone, issue-focused surveys to provide supplementary quantitative information to the larger national surveys. Exploration will be undertaken in collaboration with the Equality Analyst Working Group. We will support the use of such methods where we believe they would improve our evidence around disability issues (and other equality groups).

Scottish Household Survey ( SHS)

7.39 A new discrimination question was added to the SHS asking respondents about experiences of verbal or physical abuse within their communities because of their disability, gender, age, race, faith or sexual orientation. The question is currently being evaluated for 2009. In the meantime, analysis of responses (by equality groups where feasible) to the question will appear in the SHS annual report (or supplementary tables) due to be published in August 2007.

Scottish Government Analytical Services Divisions - Specific Action across the Scottish Government

7.40 This chapter has set out our strategic framework, for the next three years, for how we are going to gather information and make use of information to further promote disability equality. The remainder of this chapter sets out what specific actions are going to be undertaken by ASDs across the Scottish Government to do likewise.

7.41 Future annual reports will detail the progress we have made on our strategic framework and the following ASD actions to further promote disability equality.

Office of the Chief Statistician ( OCS)

Introduction

7.42 To support effective disability equality mainstreaming, OCS is responsible for:

1) Providing and promoting access to statistical sources disaggregated by disability (and other equality groups) across all Scottish Government ( SG) statistics outputs and sources for use by Government officials. Extracts of the database may be made available to others, on request.

2) Facilitating and promoting the consistent use of official disability definitions across all SG statistical surveys and working with others to continue to develop a set of core questions (including disability) to be used in the SG's five main statistical surveys, with a view to ensuring the availability of aggregated disability data from these surveys. Promotion of the core questions to smaller government surveys and local authority surveys is a high priority to ensure wider use of official disability definitions.

Action

High Level Summary of Equality Statistics ( HLSES)

7.43 The Office of the Chief Statistician published the High Level Summary of Equality Statistics in November 2006. It is a compendium of key statistical trends, gathered and collated by OCS from statisticians across the SG for the main areas of Government activity, disaggregated by age, disability, gender, ethnicity and, in some cases, religion. It also provides a comprehensive list of data sources, where more detailed data can be accessed. To ensure widespread access, it was made available as hard copy and published on the Scottish Government statistics web-site, where data can be extracted for each equality group, including disability.

7.44 The HLSES continues to provide policy-makers across the SG access to key equalities data and equality data sources (including on disability) that they can use to undertake evidence based policy assessments and evaluations in relation to disabled people. The HLSES is also used by external users such as academics and the EHRC.

7.45 Responsibility for the HLSES passed from OCS to Communities ASD in autumn 2007. Communities ASD will be reviewing the role and scope of the HLSES in collaboration with the Equality Analyst Working Group from summer 2007.

Database of Statistical Outputs and Sources

7.46 OCS is currently compiling a database detailing which equality strands are included in each of the Scottish Government's statistical outputs and sources (170 sources and 150 outputs) - including a flag for disability. The database went 'live' on the Scottish Government's intranet on 31 ^st January 2008 and is currently being populated by statisticians across the Government. The database is due to be rolled out to all ASDs (in spring 2008) and more widely across the Government in autumn 2008 and will be updated on a regular basis.

7.47 The database, like the HLSES, will provide analysts and policy-makers with easy access to disability (and other equality groups) statistics contained in all Scottish Government's statistical outputs and sources.

The Harmonisation Work Programme

7.48 The harmonisation work programme is aiming for survey samples to be added together (possibly as early as July 2009) making a larger, more robust sample available for analysis, including for disability. A sample additive methodology is being developed and the dissemination strategy for this large sample is being discussed.

7.49 The programme is also working to develop a consistent definition of, and question on, disability for inclusion in the core set of questions of the Scottish Government's five main statistical surveys. The ONS harmonised disability question will not be available for three to four years, so the Scottish Harmonisation Working Group are developing an interim question for Scotland. Initial guidance on this is to be published in 2009.

7.50 Analytical and policy colleagues will benefit from the use of consistent disability definitions in surveys because it will ensure that survey data are comparable when they are used in policy impact assessment and evaluation. In the same way, the larger sample size derived when data from the five core surveys are aggregated (including for disability) will help to ensure that the data are more robust, particularly the trend data, that will be used to monitor and evaluate policy outcomes.

Office of the Chief Researcher ( OCR)

Introduction

7.51 OCR continues to work to ensure that all the equalities duties, including disability equality, are firmly embedded within social research practice. Firstly, a new version of the Guidance for Commissioning and Managing Social Science Research was published on 15 January 2008, which includes a new section on mainstreaming equalities issues, including disability, as well as other references throughout to meet compliance with equalities duties. This document will continue to be updated as required. Secondly, training has recently been held to ensure that analysts have the skills and knowledge to implement the public duties effectively within their work. Over the last six months, OCR and the Equalities Research Team have been providing equalities training to analysts in all ASDs. The purpose of the training has been:

• To raise awareness of the new equalities duties and enable analysts to fulfil their responsibilities under this legislation;
• To introduce analysts to the Scottish Government's Equalities Impact Assessment toolkit and explore the role of analysts in supporting policy colleagues to carry these assessments out.

Action

Procurement Guidance

7.52 As well as the new version of the Guidance for Commissioning and Managing Social Research, the forms used during the research procurement process have also been updated to ensure that equalities issues continue to be addressed throughout the process. Further work will be undertaken during 2008 to develop intranet pages/click through guidance on considering equalities issues including disability when procuring research.

CERES (Central Research)

7.53 The CERES database also collects information on whether equalities issues have been considered in the procurement of social research. There are plans to update this function later in 2008 so that more detailed information on equalities issues is collected on social research projects. Social research that supports and informs policy development will therefore help to ensure that the needs of disabled people are fully taken into account.

Education Information and Analytical Services Division ( EIAS)

Introduction

7.54 Within EIAS there are a range of ongoing activities regarding the capture of data and research on issues of disabilities. These activities are set out below.

Action

Research Procedures

7.55 Our research procedures have been updated using a new approach to ethical issues which covers our equality responsibilities. This requires the issue of equalities including issues related to disabilities to be expressly addressed in each project undertaken. Each project and individual research design is reviewed individually to decide what approach to disability equality is required in terms of addressing the needs of disabled participants or subjects of the research. In addition, one of our Heads of Unit is identified as an ethical advisor to review and offer advice where ethical issues including equalities arise. Further guidance on considering equalities in the commissioning and managing of research is being developed for use across Social Research and will be followed by EIAS once available.

Data Collections

7.56 A significant amount of data is gathered from Scottish schools and local authorities through the ScotXed (Scottish Exchange of Educational Data) Unit. The Unit continues to undertake the collection of high quality data to support education and children's services in order to provide robust data, that is fit for the purpose of analytical products across the Division, and forms part of the evidence base that policy require.

7.57 Several other data collections are now linked to the disability information in the pupil census allowing further analysis. A package of basic information regarding pupil characteristics with suggestions for further sources of information is currently being prepared for circulation to policy colleagues to stimulate further action. Collection on disability among teacher workforce has also been explored with Scottish Local Authorities. The results of such collections are provided to policy for use in their development work.

7.58 Discussions are ongoing with local authorities with the aim of adding 'type of disability' for pupils in the standard school management information software. This will allow the ability to monitor and analyse achievement of pupils with a disability by type of disability. It is aimed to be added for the 2009 pupil census with analysis available in 2011.

7.59 We currently collect disability (self-assessed) information regarding attendance at Higher Education ( HE) and Further Education ( FE) and entitlement to disabled students allowance at HE. Through the EQIA process we are identifying elements of our skills programmes where information needs to be collected (for example, the status of attendees on skills for work programmes).

Economic Advice

7.60 Within appraisals and evaluations the distributional impact of policy initiatives is assessed to identify differential impacts on diverse groups (including disabled people) within the population.

Working with Policy Colleagues

7.61 A survey of EQIAs in DG Education (Schools, Children, Young People and Social Care and Life-Long Learning ( LLL)) was undertaken in July/Aug 2007 by EIAS and ASULLL Research ². The results of this survey were shared with equalities research and through them the equalities unit to help inform future actions in this area. Nine EQIAs in Schools and eight in LLL were identified as completed or in progress. By undertaking the survey and asking all branch heads about their involvement in EQIAs the profile and importance of producing EQIAs was raised.

7.62 To date the ASD has had little involvement in the production of EQIAs however this is starting to change as Policy colleagues become more aware of their responsibilities. To support policy colleagues with EQIAs in the future, analysts in EIAS have received training on EQIAs during 2007.

Office of the Chief Economic Adviser: Local Government and Public Service Reform

Introduction

7.63 We ensure that disability is considered as part of the equalities issue in all our commissioned work.

Action

Surveys

7.64 Scottish Household Survey data on local government and public services is available and can be analysed by disability.

7.65 The Candidate Survey and Elected Members Surveys for which we are responsible, are concerned with widening access to election candidature and ask questions about disability and long-term illness. This data will continue to be used to ensure that barriers to inclusion are removed.

Website Design

7.66 We are currently providing evidence from literature on usability of websites to highlight good practices for website design to look at accessibility for all (including disabled people).

Modelling Tax Benefit Changes

7.67 Modelling the impact of tax and benefit changes on Scottish households with disabilities (alongside the impacts on other household types) will provide a better understanding of how changes to the tax and benefit system impact on various types of households in Scotland. Analysis will be undertaken following Budget and Pre-Budget Report announcements which are normally in March, and October of each year, respectively.

Corporate Analytical Services: Europe, External Affairs and Culture ( EEAC)

Introduction

7.68 Depending on the research, data on disability is usually collected to establish differences between participation and access to the arts and culture by disabled and non-disabled people. The SHS Culture and Sport Module is an example of such research.

Action

ArtFull Programme

7.69 EEACASU (Culture) is part of a group overseeing the ArtFull programme, which is a programme on arts and mental health, funded by the SG and managed by Scottish Arts Council. This programme involves different arts and cultural projects that seek to improve the lives and well-being of participants who have mental health problems.

7.70 Evaluation of each project in the ArtFull programme will be examined by an overall evaluation, with findings to inform the National Programme of Mental Health and Well-Being and Culture Policy in the SG on how to improve the mental health and well-being of participants through access to cultural activities (where there generally tends to be less access by disabled people than by non-disabled people).

7.71 The final report citing whether the aims of the ArtFull programme have been achieved ( e.g. improved mental health and well-being of participants through the arts); how they have been achieved; and areas of good practice from which other arts and mental health organisations can learn, is due to be published by autumn 2007.

Scottish Household Survey Culture and Sport Module

7.72 Results of the SHS Culture and Sport Module, which asks about barriers and obstacles to accessing culture, will establish what policy can do to improve access for disabled people to cultural activities (whether obstacles are physical, social or psychological).

7.73 This module will provide new and unprecedented data on levels and extent of participation in culture and sport, by local authority area, and allow the SG to gain an insight into the barriers to participation - data will be disaggregated to disability data, and will inform on level of participation of disabled people and barriers to participation. Initial results are due by autumn 2008 with the main results due the following year (autumn 2009).

Transport Directorate: Analytical Services Unit

Introduction

7.74 Throughout our routine data collections, we collect equalities data where appropriate and possible. Our main data source (Scottish Household Survey, ( SHS)) collects information about any disabilities people have. That allows us to analyse travel and transport questions by disability. Some of this data, including use of buses and rail services and travel to work patterns for disabled people is presented in The Scottish Government's "High Level Summary of Equality Statistics" http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/933/0041853.pdf . In addition, our regular statistical publications include a range of tables which disaggregate by (self-reported) disability or mobility.

7.75 Much information about transport in Scotland is not, however, collected by the Scottish Government. Scotrail, the CAA, CalMac, to name but a few, are the collectors of data on passenger numbers and ticket sales etc. We can, and do, liaise with such organisations through our ScotStat Committee on matters of shared interest and responsibility.

7.76 It is standard practice for all equalities issues - including those to do with disability - to be explored in all new research and data collection commissioned by the Transport Analytical Services Unit ( ASU). Where appropriate, the need for sufficient information relating to disabled people in research to inform policy development, to appraise policy options or to evaluate policy is routinely considered.

7.77 Representatives of all three professional groups in ASU have recently undergone Equality Impact Assessment ( EQIA) training in order to assist policy colleagues in the assessment of all new and revised policies.

Actions

Survey Harmonisation

7.78 Further, in connection with recent and ongoing work being undertaken by OCS on harmonisation of the core questions across all Scottish Government surveys, Transport ASU will ensure that any further transport surveys ( e.g. Bus Information Survey) will be collated in the same manner, allowing the resulting analysis to be analysed by disability. This will ensure that travel statistics can be analysed by disability in a consistent manner.

Bus Information Survey

7.79 Transport ASU will be commissioning a Bus Information Survey over 2008-2009. This will provide further information on travel experiences for disabled people. This will explore satisfaction with, and views on, bus services amongst both those who do and those who do not travel by bus amongst the general public, as a means of informing policy to improve bus provision. The findings will be analysed to explore the experiences of disabled people, as well as other equality groups.

National Concessionary Travel Scheme

7.80 The Evaluation of the National Concessionary Travel Scheme (led by Transport Scotland) is an assessment of the effectiveness of the scheme in meeting its objectives, which include allowing disabled people improved access to services, facilities and social networks. The evaluation is due to be completed by autumn 2007.

EQIAs

7.81 The ASU is committed to providing assistance to transport policy colleagues in the equality impact assessment of new and revised transport policies, particularly in assessing the available evidence on the needs and experiences of equality groups and the likely impacts of new policy on them. These evidence based equality impact assessments will continue to enable Transport Directorate to demonstrate how it is promoting disability equality through transport policy.

Communities Analytical Services Division

Introduction

7.82 We are working to ensure that we provide policy makers with robust and systematic evidence on disability to inform all stages of the policy cycle. All staff are encouraged and supported to do this through a divisional wide approach to equality training - including specific awareness of disability issues - and the development of expertise and resources within the Division.

7.83 We also have a role to support equality mainstreaming, including promoting disability equality to analysts across the Scottish Government.

Action

Discrimination Module

7.84 The discrimination module of the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey includes data on attitudes towards disabled people and is a valuable resource for policy makers in the Scottish Government, the Equality and Human Rights Commission and equalities stakeholders in Scotland. The results of the 2006 survey were published in December 2007 and a follow-up seminar with stakeholders, to discuss policy implications, took place in April 2007. Work is ongoing, in conjunction with the EHRC, to consider plans for further attitudinal research.

Disability Statistics and Categories and the HLSES

7.85 We are working across the SG and agencies to develop a consistent and coordinated approach to the collection of disability statistics and agree categories which can be used across the public sector and across different professional and policy activities. We will produce guidance on collecting information on disabled people for use across the public sector. Guidance on disability classifications for use across the public sector in surveys and administrative data will be available in 2009.

7.86 We are reviewing the Higher Level Summary of Equality Statistics ( HLSES) to ensure that future publications meet user needs.

7.87 We intend to hold a user event in 2008 to allow key groups to feed into the collection of equality data.

Disability Mapping

7.88 Research to map the disability sector in Scotland was commissioned in March 2008 and will be completed in March 2009. To increase understanding of the capacity of disabled organisations to engage with public authorities, this study will produce a database of disability organisations and, an assessment of the extent of representation available to disabled people, to explore how best to ensure that disabled people and disability organisations are involved in SG and wider public sector policy processes. The Advisory Group for this work includes external representatives from disability organisations.

Equality Analyst Working Group

7.89 We have developed a cross SG and cross professional working group for analysts which aims to develop capacity and awareness of equality issues across the SG. To date the group has undergone EQIA training and is developing equality briefings packs for specific policy areas. There is a specific focus on disability issues and the disability duties as well as equalities issues more broadly. The group membership and remit is currently under review to take account of the change in Government in May 2007 and the subsequent restructuring of our organisation. The group will be re-launched in summer 2007.

The Scottish Ministers' Duties

7.90 Research to report on progress towards equality of opportunity between disabled persons and other persons made by public authorities in Scotland was commissioned in April 2008 and will be completed by October 2007. This research will directly support the legal duty on Scottish Ministers to report, no later than 1 ^st December 2008, on progress being made.

Supporting People and Independent Living

7.91 The pilot evaluation of the Supporting People Outcomes framework is being developed to assess what concrete outcomes and improvements are achieved for disabled people - including entry to employment and moving into permanent accommodation. Communities ASD is also conducting an internal review of evidence on independent living and disabled people to help inform policy thinking on independent living. This initial evidence review will be completed by June 2007.

Evaluation of Ownership Options' Pilot

7.92 Communities ASD is about to commission an evaluation of the Ownership Options' pilot specialist advice service on disability issues for Registered Social Landlords ( RSLs) taking part in shared equity provision. The research will take place between June 2008 and August 2008 and will evaluate how effective the service has been at meeting its aim of helping RSLs plan for, target and directly assist disabled people to buy homes on a shared equity basis. The research will also identify options for ensuring operators of Government funded shared equity provision respond to the needs of, and are accessible to, disabled households in the future.

Poverty and Equality

7.93 Communities ASD also provides support to the Social Inclusion Division and, the work programme for analytical support to the poverty framework discussion includes specific consideration of the links between poverty and disability.

Rural and Environment Analytical Services ( REAS)

Introduction

7.94 REAS is working to ensure that we provide robust and systematic evidence on disability to inform all stages of the policy cycle, across Rural, Marine and Environment policy development and evaluation. We acknowledge that for significant areas of this portfolio, the disability equalities dimensions of policy are still being scoped out and that our contribution lies as much in assisting the mapping of policy disability implications, as in the collection of data and evidence in support of this. REAS is committed to addressing the 'equalities data and evidence' challenge across the portfolio, as a priority for 08/09, and embeds 'equalities requirements' into divisional evidence meetings that inform the business planning process.

7.95 All REAS staff are encouraged and supported through a divisional wide approach to equality training - including specific awareness of disability issues - and the development of expertise and resources within the Division. During 2007/8 a number of REAS staff undertook OCR training on the Equalities Impact Assessment toolkit.

7.96 We also have a role to support 'rural' and 'climate change' mainstreaming across all SG policy development, and routinely embed equalities questions/dimensions in our mainstreaming work. Likewise, within economic evaluations, the distributional impact of policy initiatives is assessed to identify differential impacts on diverse groups within the population as appropriate.

7.97 In the research that we commission, we have been using the new Social Research 'ethical checklist' in the commissioning and management stages of research projects which ensures that equalities issues are explicitly considered in the commissioning process. Our rural and environment research teams participated in the pilot and evaluation of this new system, and our Environment Principal Research Officer is identified as a Scottish Government Social Research ethical advisor to review and offer advice across REAS (and to policy colleagues) where ethical issues including equalities arise.

Action

Consultation and Engagement Work

7.98 REAS analysts routinely advise and manage research contracts relating to consultation and engagement work across the portfolio, and explore options for engaging 'harder to reach' equalities groups within each policy area. REAS intends to use an anticipated substantive response from EHRC to the Scottish Climate Change Bill consultation as the basis for further dialogue on evidence needs across the Greener and Climate Change portfolios.

Business Planning

7.99 REAS undertake scoping of Rural, Marine, Environment and Greener evidence requirements for equalities, including disabilities in each business planning year. This allows REAS to map the key policy areas, issues and questions that require evidence and data.

EQIAs

7.100 REAS assists policy colleagues in completing EQIAs for key policy and legislative developments ( e.g. Scottish Climate Change Bill). We are aware that the evidence base from which policy colleagues complete EQIAs requires further development, and we are seeking to assess priorities across the portfolio for new evidence needs.

Surveys

7.101 The Scottish Environmental Attitudes and Behaviours Survey 2008 ( SEABS'08) will be gathering EM and disabilities data (through questions agreed by the Statistics Harmonisation Working Group) and anticipates the generation of new data for key environmental issues. The Scottish Household Survey contains data which is key to portfolio interests and REAS is able to draw equalities/disabilities data from this, as required.

Commitment to Improving the Evidence-Base

7.102 Both the Natural Environment Statistics Advisory Committee ( NESAC) and the Scottish Environment Social Evidence Group ( SESEG) are committed to assessing and improving the evidence base for environment policy development and evaluation and have highlighted 'equalities data' as priorities for 08/09.

Justice Analytical Services

Introduction

7.103 We are working on an ongoing basis to improve the evidence base for justice in relation to disability. We are also working to ensure that this evidence informs the policy cycle through highlighting the importance of Equality Impact Assessments and supporting policy colleagues to undertake these.

7.104 Justice ASD also participates in a cross analytical working group for mainstreaming equalities, working to increase awareness of equalities duties and improve support for policy colleagues to meet these duties.

Action

Scottish Crime and Justice Survey

7.105 The recently commissioned Scottish Crime and Justice Survey will collect data on the gender, ethnicity, age, religion and sexual orientation of victims and whether they have a disability. The survey will run continuously from April 2008 with an annual sample of 16,000 interviews and analysis will be undertaken with regard to these groups wherever possible. Survey data will be published annually from 2009.

7.106 These changes will mean that the survey will provide policy makers with more data, and a better understanding, on disabled people's experiences and perceptions of crime and the criminal justice system over time in Scotland.

Influence Stakeholders

7.107 Justice ASD undertake work to influence stakeholders ( e.g. police forces and the Scottish Prison Service) to record data on disabled people.

EQIAs

7.108 Justice ASD has also supported policy colleagues in a number of Equality Impact Assessments, ensuring that available equalities data is used to consider the impact of policy initiatives and strategies on disabled people. We will continue to encourage colleagues to undertake assessments and provide analytic support for these as part of our analytical planning and programme development process.

Health Analytical Services

Introduction

7.109 We are supporting Health Directorates in using high quality evidence across the equality strands, including disability - any entry in this disability equality scheme from the Health Directorates which has an evidence need will be supported in some way by Health ASD. For example supporting the development of Better Together: Scotland's Patient Experience Programme which will collect patient experience across the equality strands.

Action

Scottish Health Survey

7.110 To include the collection of equality strand information including long term condition and disability. Data available on disability and long term conditions as part of the Scottish Health Survey - can also be linked to a wide variety of other health variables

NHS Resource Allocation Formula

7.111 The revised allocation Formula proposed by NRAC will be implemented from 2009/10 and includes all of the costs of providing health services to disabled people. It also specifically recognises the effects of disability on the health needs of the population. It uses the Limiting Long Term Illness ( LLTI) rate to help establish the additional health needs for acute services, care of elderly and GP prescribing. The index for the Mental Health and Learning care programme is adjusted to reflect the percentage of people claiming severe disability allowance.

7.112 Looking ahead NRAC also recommended that issues of equality and diversity are considered in any future review of the Formula, ascertaining whether robust evidence is available and consulting on proposed recommendations with equality groups

7.113 The outcome of this work will be to ensure allocations are adjusted for equalities including long standing illness.

Statistics Review

7.114 To ensure that ISD and other data collections provide data by equality group, including disability where appropriate. As a result, more data available on disability and long term conditions

Community Care Data Collections

7.115 To ensure that the collection of data made by ASD across community care includes disability and long term illness where appropriate e.g. Register Blind and Partially Sighted http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/26140228/1. Through this work high quality data will be available on disability and long term conditions.

Include equalities within the PEDA (pre-expenditure delivery assessment) form submission process

7.116 Equalities are addressed as part of pre expenditure assessments within the Health Directorates

« Previous | Contents | Next »