Using these training resources

The Good Practice Building Blocks developed by the SHRC and EHRC with a range of experts highlight that in carrying out Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA) it is essential that policy officers and decision makers have a sufficient understanding of both equality and human rights.

The training materials contained in this section of the website aim to give policy makers and others in the public sector an understanding of the basic principles of human rights and equality.The materials can help users develop an approach to policy making that incorporates these principles, while meeting the statutory obligations of the public sector equality duty as set out in the Equality Act 2010.

The examples provided in this resource largely relate to local authorities in Scotland.

The resources will require to be adapted and made appropriate to the organisation and staff who intend to learn from them. The resources may also be supplemented by examples of good practice and other context specific guidance depending upon the organisation. Furthermore, they may be combined with guidance or materials on the relevance, importance and process of impact assessment which is not covered here. For further information please see good practice Building Block 3.

The materials are designed to increase knowledge and awareness of the relationship between equality and human rights, and give practical advice about how to apply human rights principles in the context of the legal requirement to fulfil the public sector equality duty. In particular, this includes the specific duty to undertake equality impact assessments.

These materials will help to increase understanding and awareness about:

  • The link between promoting equality and promoting human rights in policies and practice.

  • The public sector equality duty. ·        

  • Human rights principles in the Scottish, European and International context.         

  • The ways in which a human rights based approach can be applied in practice, including in existing impact assessment processes.