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	Health and Adult Services
Service area	Service Development/Care Provider Services
Proposal being screened	Development of Care and Support Hubs
Officer(s) carrying out screening	Hannah Brown, Abigail Burns
What are you proposing to do?	A strategic business case has been undertaken to consider the options to address the escalating pressures on Health and Adult Services (HAS) budgets, one of the main drivers being the requirement to purchase increasing levels of high-cost specialist older people’s residential care in the independent care sector, due to a growing demand for the provision of dementia services and intermediate care.  The business case also addresses the risks and issues faced as a result of the age and condition of the current Elderly Person’s Homes which mean this provision is unable to meet need for specialist residential care.  A proposal is put forward for a key market management intervention through the replacement of the Council’s in-house older people’s residential care services, currently known as Elderly Person’s Homes (EPHs), with five new-build Care & Support Hubs strategically located across the county.
Why are you proposing this? What are the desired outcomes?	This is being proposed to address the shortfall in specialist care provision in the county to improve the choice and quality of specialist care provision for the people of North Yorkshire, and subsequently address the escalating pressures on the Health and Adult services budget as a result of the under-supply and increasing costs of specialist residential care in the independent sector.
Does the proposal involve a significant commitment or removal of resources? Please give details.	There is a significant commitment to capital resources and a separate resource justification has been completed for the initial stages. Subject to approval of the proposal it is expected that a significant commitment of capital resources will need to be identified.
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			Whilst it is acknowledged that the proposal recommends reducing the number of in-house older people’s residential care settings, it is an increase in units compared to current delivery of in-house provision.   The support will also be delivered in a more appropriate bespoke environment, and support that is not readily available currently within the area will be developed for people with more specialist care and support needs.
People on a low income			x
Carer (unpaid family or friend)			x		Provision will be increased to support those with more specialist care and support needs not currently available in the independent sector. It is anticipated this will increase respite and support options for carers.
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.		When locations/sites are identified for the proposed new settings, accessibility across a range of factors will be considered.  The service requires the settings to be located within established communities with appropriate and accessible public transport links, as well as access to community health and other services. The settings themselves will be fully accessible in design. Service users and carers will be engaged in the further development and refinement of the service model and architectural design.
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.		Key stakeholders, service users and carers will be involved in the further development and refinement of the service model and architectural design.  Key stakeholders identified will include, but may not be limited to: · Integrated Care Boards · Occupational Therapy Leads; Local Authority and Health · Community Nursing Team · Local Authority Social Care Teams · Community Mental Health Teams including Older People’s Mental Health Teams · Primary Care Networks / GPs · Dementia Forward
Decision (Please tick one option)		EIA not relevant or proportionate:		Continue to full EIA:		ü
Reason for decision		A full EIA will be required at each stage of the roll out of this proposal. A strategic business case will be required for each Care & Support Hub development, which will include a locality & site-specific full EIA. As this programme of work is planned over five years, it is anticipated that circumstances and learning will be applied at regular intervals to ensure the EIA is relevant to the decision made at the time of delivery.
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)		Rachel Bowes
Date		12/12/24