Agenda, Wednesday, 23rd September 2009

Registration and Refreshments

Chair’s opening remarks

The Equality Bill: What does it mean to the public sector?

Get clarification on the Bill, its contents and objectives. Uncover:

• What duties will the Bill include?
• What major changes can public sector organisations expect?
• “Morphing” to a single equality approach: What support will be provided in transition
• What is the expected implementation timescale for the Bill?

Clarifying the impact of the Equality Framework: How will this work with the Equality Bill and the public sector?

• Identifying the Bill’s relationship with the Equality Framework and Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA)?
• Using the new framework to develop a Single Equality Scheme
• Knowing your community: Place shaping, leadership and organisation commitment

Question and answer session

Morning refreshments

Equality Mapping: Identifying and understanding diversity in your community to meet your area’s needs

Aligning procurement processes with the Equality Bill

Understanding CAAs

• Using CAA as a tool to understand your area better
• Ensuring your corporate priorities reflect community needs and aspirations
• Effectively delivering required outcomes and improvements
• What are the prospects for future improvement?

Question and answer session

Lunch

Best Practice: What does the Equality Bill mean for the Department of Health?

• What is the impact of the Equality Bill for us?
• How have we implemented the scheme?
• Rolling out the equality strands as one

Best Practice: How NHS Westminster are delivering equality through a mainstreamed approach

Best practice: How are Cheshire Police implementing the Equality Bill?

• What is the impact of the Equality Bill?
• What it will mean for the Police Service?
• How will the delivery of services encompass all the strands of diversity?

Question and answer session

Afternoon refreshments

Best Practice: How has London Borough of Hounslow mainstreamed all their equality practices into one Single Equality Scheme?

What can the Equality and Human Rights Commission do to help public authorities implement the Bill?

Question and answer session

Chair’s closing remarks

Close of conference