The Scotland Act 1998 (Agency Arrangements) (Specification) (Recognition of Qualifications) Order 2025 Equality Impact Assessment

Stage 4: Decision making and monitoring

Identifying and establishing any required mitigating action

Have positive or negative impacts been identified for any of the equality groups? – No

Is the policy directly or indirectly discriminatory under the Equality Act 2010^[10]? – No

If the policy is indirectly discriminatory, how is it justified under the relevant legislation? – N/A

If not justified, what mitigating action will be undertaken? – N/A

Describing how Equality Impact analysis has shaped the policy making process

No changes have been made to the Scottish ENIC legislation as a result of this EQIA. This is because there is no evidence to suggest that there will be an impact on any individual with protected characteristics.

Monitoring and Review

The Scottish Government will work with the DfE and other devolved governments to monitor contract delivery. It is anticipated that this will involve some contact with Scottish service users to ensure it is addressing the needs of individuals and those accessing the services on their behalf.

The Scottish Government will also be looking to improve equalities data collection about service users, as and when the opportunities arise, to ensure that the services are not unintentionally disadvantaging any groups of people.

As the opportunity arises, the Scottish Government will consider whether there are any changes to the contract or services which could be suggested to the DfE which would facilitate greater equality of opportunity in Scotland.

The DfE’s contract with Ecctis Ltd runs for five years from 28 March 2025, with options to extend for a maximum of two further years. The Scottish ENIC legislation is expected to remain in force for the duration of the contract. Thereafter, the Scottish Government will consider successor arrangements with the DfE.