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	The distribution methodology for the Inclusive Early Years Fund 2026-27 (IEYF 2026-27) in respect of the grant distribution and the funding allocations to be paid to early years providers within North Yorkshire.
Officer(s) carrying out screening	Sally Dunn
What are you proposing to do?	North Yorkshire Council proposes to distribute the IEYF 2026-27 funding to early years providers using the Department for Education (DfE) recommended distribution methodology based on: ·  A funding weighting of £294.2k (75%) for base rate funding and £98.1k (25%) for deprivation (SEND proxy); funding allocations indicative, at this stage. · The January 2026 universal 3 & 4-year-old PTE, as recorded on the Spring 2026 census, for the allocation of the base rate funding quantum · The use of the deprivation funding supplement funding allocation for the universal 3 & 4-year-old children, as per the January 2026 headcount data, to weight the distribution of the deprivation element of the IEYF 2026-27 to individual providers · The application of a de minimis funding threshold of £1,000. An iterative calculation process has been undertaken, to progressively redistribute the funding of the providers with the lowest funding allocations to reach a position where the overall forecast funding amount has been allocated, with a de minimis funding threshold of £1,000 applied.
Why are you proposing this? What are the desired outcomes?	To comply with the DfE grant conditions for the distribution of the IEYF 2026-27 funding.
Does the proposal involve a significant commitment or removal of resources? Please give details.	No. The funding allocations will be contained within the ringfenced IEYF 2026-27 funding for the 2026-27 financial year.
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.		Research suggests that increasing numbers of early years children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are finding it difficult to access mainstream early years provision.
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 proposal is providing additional funding to early years providers delivering funded entitlement early years’ provision. The additional funding is provided by the DfE to support the early years sector to become more inclusive of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
Decision (Please tick one option)		EIA not relevant or proportionate:	ü		Continue to full EIA:
Reason for decision		No adverse impact has been identified on people with protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010, or NYC’s additional agreed characteristics.
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)		Howard Emmett
Date		11^th May 2026