Initial equality impact assessment screening form This form records an equality screening process to determine the relevance of equality to a proposal, and a decision whether or not a full EIA would be appropriate or proportionate.
Directorate	Central Services
Service area	Resources – Finance
Proposal being screened	Grant Acceptance and Distribution – DfE Financial Support for Local Authorities Supporting Maintained Schools in Financial Difficulty Grant
Officer(s) carrying out screening	Sally Dunn
What are you proposing to do?	Local authority acceptance and distribution of the DfE Financial Support for Local Authorities Supporting Maintained Schools in Financial Difficulty Grant
Why are you proposing this? What are the desired outcomes?	The DfE have provided grant funding for local authorities to provide additional funding to support maintained schools (all phases) in financial difficulty in the 2023-24 financial year. The distribution of the grant funding to eligible schools will support those schools in improving their revenue budget position.
Does the proposal involve a significant commitment or removal of resources? Please give details.	The grant will provide additional funding of £972k for the local authority to utilise in supporting those schools in financial difficulty that meet the locally determined eligibility criteria.
Impact on people with any of the following protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010, or NYC’s additional agreed characteristics As part of this assessment, please consider the following questions: · To what extent is this service used by particular groups of people with protected characteristics? · Does the proposal relate to functions that previous consultation has identified as important? · Do different groups have different needs or experiences in the area the proposal relates to? If for any characteristic it is considered that there is likely to be an adverse impact or you have ticked ‘Don’t know/no info available’, then a full EIA should be carried out where this is proportionate. You are advised to speak to your directorate representative for advice if you are in any doubt.
Protected characteristic		Potential for adverse impact				Don’t know/No info available
		Yes		No
Age				X
Disability				X
Sex				X
Race				X
Sexual orientation				X
Gender reassignment				X
Religion or belief				X
Pregnancy or maternity				X
Marriage or civil partnership				X
People in rural areas				X
People on a low income				X
Carer (unpaid family or friend)				X
Are from the Armed Forces Community				X
Does the proposal relate to an area where there are known inequalities/probable impacts (for example, disabled people’s access to public transport)? Please give details.		The grant funding will provide the opportunity to provide additional financial support to LA maintained Special Schools in financial difficulty that meet the locally determined eligibility criteria for a funding award.
Will the proposal have a significant effect on how other organisations operate? (for example, partners, funding criteria, etc.). Do any of these organisations support people with protected characteristics? Please explain why you have reached this conclusion.		The distribution of the grant will provide additional financial support to LA maintained schools within North Yorkshire that are in financial difficulty and meet the locally determined eligibility criteria a funding award. The schools that are eligible for funding are likely to be supporting children with protected characteristics.
Decision (Please tick one option)		EIA not relevant or proportionate:	ü		Continue to full EIA:
Reason for decision		The initial equality impact assessment screening identified no adverse impacts with the acceptance and distribution of the DfE Financial Support for Local Authorities Supporting Maintained Schools in Financial Difficulty Grant
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)
Date		23/02/2024