Adult social care support and community health - learning and improvement framework: equality impact assessment

Review and Methodology

To ensure the Scottish Learning and Improvement Framework (SLIF) continues to meet equality obligations and address the needs identified through this EQIA, an iterative review process will be implemented. The EQIA will be reviewed annually and updated as the framework progresses through the testing and roll out phases, or earlier, if new evidence or unexpected impacts emerge. Monitoring will focus on key aspects highlighted in this assessment, including access to services, involvement in care decisions, and outcomes for groups with protected characteristics such as age, disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, and religion or belief.

The methodology for monitoring will combine quantitative and qualitative approaches:

• Data Collection: Indicators and measures will be developed around groups most affected and those being impacted the most, as identified in the EQIA findings. Feedback gathered throughout the testing phase will be used to inform the ongoing development of indicators.
• Scope and Targets: Reviews will assess progress against the three Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) needs—eliminating discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity, and fostering good relations—while considering intersectionality (e.g., age and sexual orientation, sex, and religion).
• Responsibility and Timing: The Improvement Team within the Regulation, Integration and Improvement Support Division will lead the review process, with reports at the conclusion of the testing phase feeding into future policy development and operational updates.
• Continuous Improvement: Findings will inform adjustments to SLIF pathways (e.g., Supporting People and Workforce Development) and future enhancements such as a potential transitions pathway to support movement between children’s and adult services.

This approach ensures that equality considerations are evaluated as a component of the SLIF, evolving alongside policy implementation and responding to emerging evidence and stakeholder feedback.