EIA responsibilities
Overall accountability for ensuring that an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) is undertaken in line with this guidance rests with the relevant Dean, Director or Chair of the committee under which the policy, procedure, practice, service or function sits. This includes responsibility for ensuring that equality considerations are embedded throughout the development, implementation and review of the activity.
Deans, Directors and Chairs of committees may, at their discretion, nominate one or more EIA Reviewers. Where this occurs, delegated authority may be provided to support oversight of the EIA process, including checking that this guidance has been followed and providing formal sign-off on the completed assessment. Accountability for the EIA remains with the Dean, Director or Chair.
Any individual nominated to act as an EIA Reviewer must engage fully with this guidance and complete the relevant EIA training to ensure consistency, quality and compliance.
Responsibility for completing the Equality Impact Assessment sits with the person or team leading the policy, practice, service or function, or those with day-to-day operational responsibility for its delivery. This ensures that the assessment is informed by detailed knowledge of the work and its potential impacts in practice.
EIA Reviewers and the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Service are intended to provide advice, challenge and support throughout the whole process. They do not replace the responsibility of policy owners to consider evidence, engage with affected groups, identify impacts, and take appropriate action. EIAs should be developed collaboratively wherever possible, drawing on multiple perspectives and relevant expertise.