Equality impact assessment (EIA) form: evidencing paying due regard to protected characteristics

(Form updated October 2025)

DfE Capital Proposal

An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) form is a document that proves paying due regard by considering protected characteristics. EIAs that accompany reports presented to Councillors for decision-making are published with the committee papers on our website and are also available in hard copy at the relevant meetings.

Section 1: Initial Equality Impact Assessment Screening

This section documents the equality screening process of actual or potential impacts of the proposed activity on a specific protected characteristic, along with NYC's additional agreed-upon characteristics, to determine whether a full Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) is necessary or appropriate.

Basic Details

Directorate

CYPS

Service area

Education and Inclusion

Proposal being screened

DfE Capital Proposal

Officer(s) carrying out screening

Chris Reynolds

Lead Officer and contact details

Chris Reynolds chris.reynolds@northyorks.gov.uk

Date of the assessment

23/1/2026

Please describe briefly what this EIA is about.

(e.g. are you starting a new service, changing how you do something, or stopping doing something?)

This EIA is about the proposal to continue with the construction of a new special school in Northallerton

What does the authority hope to achieve by it? (E.g. to save money, meet increased demand, do things in a better way.) 

The authority will be able to better meet children’s needs and provide education closer to home for children with SEMH needs. The proposal will also ensure this can be done more efficiently and reduce budget pressures on the High Needs Block and Home to School transport budget

Further Details

1.1 How have stakeholders been involved in this policy/ decision/ proposal? (e.g. a consultation exercise)

The proposal to bid for the school to be built by the DfE was fully consulted upon in Autumn 2022. The original decision was to proceed with the school on the basis that it received support from parents and professionals.

1.2 Will the proposal have a significant effect on how other organisations operate? (e.g. partners, funding criteria, etc.).  Please explain briefly

No

1.3 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.  

Tick and indicate which protected characteristics are identified as relevant to the proposal (positive, negative, neutral or don’t know).

Protected characteristic

Impact

Comments

Positive

Negative

Neutral

Don't know

Age

x

Disability

x

The school will be for children with special educational needs and disabilities therefore it will improve the local offer to this group of children

Sex

x

The school is proposed as co-educational

Race (including GRTS)

x

Gender reassignment

x

Sexual orientation

x

Religion or belief

x

Pregnancy or maternity

x

Marriage or civil partnership

x

NYC’s additional characteristics

People in rural areas

x

The proposal was in part designed to bring a special school facility to the north of the county and to reduce the numbers of children travelling out of Hambleton and Richmondshire to access an appropriate school

People on a low income

x

Carer (unpaid family or friend)

x

Are from the Armed Forces Community (including veterans)

x

This will provide a new special school within a much reduced travel distance to a significant number of forces families located in Catterick and surrounding area

1.4 To which Part(s) of the Public Sector Equality Duties is the Policy/decision/proposal relevant? Tick and briefly describe.

General Duties	Yes	No	Details
Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
Advance equality of opportunity
Foster good relations between different groups

1.5 Decision (Please tick one option)

Decision to recommend this policy/ decision for an Equality Impact Assessment?

Yes

No

On screening the impact of this proposal it is identified that it will only have a positive effect on protected characteristics or no affect.

Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)

A Fielding

Date

23/1/26