Equalities and Human Rights

‘People and Partnerships, Making a Difference’ 

Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is fully committed to delivering services that are fair for all and uphold our responsibilities as detailed in the Equality Act 2010 and the Equality Act (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012.   We recognise that good health and care is not evenly distributed across our communities and that health and care is affected by a range of factors, including social issues, prejudice and discrimination. We will do all we can to address these wider issues that cause inequalities.

The Equality Act 2010 strengthens, harmonises and streamlines previous equalities legislation in relation to age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership (for which the law provides protection in the area of employment and vocational training only), sexual orientation and gender reassignment.

As an HSCP with a role as Service Planner and Provider we have a legal obligation to pay due regard to meet the need to;

  • Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act.
  • Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
  • Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

As a result of the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties)(Scotland) Amendment Regulations, our Integrated Joint Board is required to:

  • Publish a mainstreaming report, set of equalities outcomes and equality outcomes progress report in a manner accessible to the public;
  • Review its policies and practices in relation to EIAs, and develop and agree a functioning EIA system. This should include how the IJB will meet the specific duty to EIA proposed new or revised policies and practices and keep them under review.

Inverclyde IJB approved a set of Equality Outcomes in May 2024. These outcomes will be progressed by Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership up to March 2028. Our four Equality Outcomes are as follows:

Equality Outcomes 2024/28
We have improved our knowledge of the local population who identify as belonging to protected groups and have a better understanding of the challenges they face.
Children and Young People who are at risk due to local inequalities, are identified early and supported to achieve positive health outcomes.
Inverclyde’s most vulnerable and often excluded people are supported to be active and respected members of their community.
People that are New to Scotland, through resettlement or asylum, who make Inverclyde their home, feel welcomed, are safe, and able to access the HSCP services they may need.