Equality Framework for Local Government

BACKGROUND

The Equality Framework for Local Government (EFLG) is a performance improvement and benchmarking tool. It builds on and develops the work council's have done on the Equality Standard for Local Government (ESLG). The framework is the national standard for measuring an organisation’s commitment and ability to mainstream equality.

The achievements of authorities that had reached levels 1 and 2 of the former Equality Standard were migrated across to the new Equality Framework for Local Government and those authorities were benchmarked as "developing", those at level 3 were categorised as "achieving", those at level 4 were classified as "moving towards excellence". The "moving towards excellence" classification is intended to recognise the achievements of level 4, but it is not a level under the new framework.

PROGRESSING TOWARDS EXCELLENT IN EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

Birmingham City Council was benchmarked as ‘achieving’ against the new Equality Framework for Local Government (EFLG), following a peer review by the Local Government Improvement & Development Agency formerly known as IDeA (Improvement and Development Agency).

We are currently undertaking an internal assessment against the "Excellence" level of the framework.

THE THREE LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE

The framework is designed to allow authorities to benchmark their performance, but instead of five levels in the previous standard there are now three levels of performance - Developing, Achieving, Excellent

The individual level sets out the characteristics of an authority at each stage alongside key actions and examples of evidence of performance.

The Equality Framework for Local Government contains a common performance framework for compliance integrating the Public Sector Equality Duty. A council’s overall performance on equality and diversity will be assessed across 5 areas of performance:

Knowing your communities and equality mapping, Placing shaping, leadership, partnership and organisational commitment, Community engagement and satisfaction, Responsive services and customer care, A modern and diverse workforce

For more detailed information on the Equality Framework for Local Government, visit the Local Government Association website.