Equality Impact Assessment Tool: Policy, Strategy and Plans
(Please follow the EQIA guidance in completing this form)

1. Name of Strategy, Policy or Plan

Renfrewshire Weaning Fair Review

This is a : Current;#Current Policy

2. Brief Description - Purpose of the policy, Changes and outcomes, services or activities affected

Weaning Fair Programme was a result of extensive consultation in all SIP areas in Glasgow where new areas of food work were identified from the Food and Health Action Framework 2001-2006. Weaning Fairs aim to promote healthy weaning practices and oral health advice for parents/ carers with babies aged around four months of age. Parents are invited by Health Visiting staff to a local venue held in a variety of locations across Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP). The reduction in staff numbers has called for a review on the delivery and attendance of the fairs to ensure best value. This will determine the future delivery across the HSCP.

3. Lead Reviewer

Anne Gibson

4. Please list all participants in carrying out this EQIA:

Lindsay Jack (Health Improvement Lead -Maternal and Child Health); Elaine Byrne (Team Lead); Alison Eaglesham (staff nurse); Dominika Bugajska (Community Nutritionist); Amanda Cunningham (Staff Nurse); Linda Shaw (Health Visiting Support Worker); Debbie Whyte (COMMUNITY NURSERY NURSE); Low, Alastair (Planning & Development Manager)

5. Impact Assessment

A. Does the policy explicitly promote equality of opportunity and anti-discrimination and refer to legislative and policy drivers in relation to Equality

The current delivery seeks to meet the commitments outlined in policy and guidance noted below, which are underpinned by the principles of Health For All Children 4(2005). - Improving Maternal Health and Infant Nutrition: A Framework for Action (2011), Scottish Government - Infant and Young Child Nutrition: Global Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding (2002), WHO - Infant Feeding Strategy (2008-2012), NHSGGC

B. What is known about the issues for people with protected characteristics in relation to the services or activities affected by the policy?

Source

All

Weaning fairs are offered to all parents/carers with babies of 4-6 months of age via the Health Visiting Team. •The invitation/letter/information for weaning is given to parent/ guardian of the child. The Health Visitor assesses the wider needs of family and any additional individual needs will be supported by the Children & Family Team. •When people attend the event they are asked to sign in. •A Quality Assessment Framework is in place for Weaning Fairs. •Evaluations should be carried out at the end of the programme bi-annually to assess impact.
QAF, Weaning Action Group members

Sex

•Through staff observation we can conclude that weaning fairs are predominantly attended by women however there is some attendance from men. There is no record kept of this. - All staff are aware of the GBV Policy - All Staff should have attended Basic Domestic Abuse Training/Sensitive Routine Enquiry Training
Staff Observation

Gender Reassignment

- Weaning fairs are offered to all parents/guardians irrespective of gender reassignment. - Staff are aware of the Transgender Policy and act accordingly ensuring transgender people attending a fair do so without fear or prejudice, discrimination or harassment.

Race

- Weaning fairs are offered to all parents/guardians irrespective of race. - Information in alternative formats can be provided on request - Translator services can be provided on request by the NHS Corporate Inequalities Team - Racial incidents are dealt with through appropriate channels. Some additional information is given on Vitamin D supplements for darker skinned babies.

Disability

•Four venues are used across the HSCP area, which are all physically accessible. There is also nearby car parking available at each of the venues. Lift access is available at some of the venues. •Designated disabled parking available at all venues. •The venues all have good transport links to enable access by people who may not have personal transport. - An interpreting service can be booked on request for those who are hard of hearing or deaf. - Patient information which is given out can be requested in alternative formats e.g. Braille.. - Patients with learning disabilities can bring along a family member or carer if they wish to do so.

Sexual Orientation

- Weaning fairs are offered to all parents/guardians irrespective of sexual orientation. - Staff are aware of the Civil Partnership Act.

Religion and Belief

Weaning fairs are offered to all parents/guardians irrespective of religion or belief. - Information on religious beliefs of those attending the fairs are not collected. - A variety of dates and times are available for people to attend a fair which suits their needs and may allow them to attend outwith prayer times or religious services. - Additional information can be given if a dietician is present on specific diet requirements or the parent/guardian is advised to seek GP advice.

Age

- Weaning programmes are targeted towards babies between 4 and 6 months. - The fairs are open to all parents/guardians irrespective of age. •Information on weaning changes over time and views held by grandparents can impact decision made by the parents. Therefore Grandparents are also invited to attend which can ensure improved support around current weaning practices. •Age group of parent/guardian is recorded on evaluations.

Pregnancy and Maternity

•Weaning fairs are offered to all parents with babies of 4-6 months of age, including women who may be going through another pregnancy. •Any mother who wishes to breastfeed during weaning fairs is welcome to do so. •Venues used for weaning fairs have additional space for prams. - Women who are currently pregnant are not excluded from the fairs.

Marriage and Civil Partnership

- Weaning fairs are offered to all parents/guardians irrespective of marital status. - All staff are aware of the Civil Partnership Act - Information on marriage and civil partnership is not currently collected.

Social and Economic Status

•Post code information is collected in the evaluation to help understand whether local people attend the events. This is particularly helpful in areas of deprivation. •Postcode information has been analysed by SMID to explore uptake in 15% datazone areas. •Venues for weaning fairs are rotated into different areas to help boost uptake in deprived areas. • Weaning fairs are free to attend and free samples of toothpaste and beaker cups are given out.

Other marginalised groups (homeless, addictions, asylum seekers/refugees, travellers, ex-offenders

•Weaning fair invitations are given out via Health Visiting staff. Parents and carers with additional support needs may be offered home visits to or as an alternative to weaning fairs if required. HOMELESSNESS - Health Visiting staff would extend invites to parents experiencing homelessness. - Additional time is given at the end of the fairs and many staff have weaning tips for those in temporary accommodation. ADDICTIONS - Health Visiting staff would extend invites to parents experiencing addiction. ASYLUM SEEKERS/REFUGEES - NHS interpreting service can be booked on request. - Patient information is available in alternative formats on request. TRAVELLING COMMUNITY - Each Health Visiting Team has a named staff member as the main contact for Travelling Families. The health visitor provides a Health Information pack including information on weaning to all Travelling Families. PRISONERS AND EX-OFFENDERS - Weaning information would be passed on by NHS health professionals within the prison service if relevant hence women in custody have access to the same information as women in the community. Information on weaning is also provided to Foster Carers where appropriate. - Invites would be issued to parents regardless to whether they are ex-offenders. EX-SERVICE PERSONNEL - Health Visitors will extend invites to weaning fairs regardless of military service.

C. Do you expect the policy to have any positive impact on people with protected characteristics?

Highly Likely

Probable

Possible

General

Dependant on the outcome of the review, a change in the current delivery format will have an impact. Weaning information will continue to be given by the Health Visitor at the 3 month visit in line with the Universal Pathway.

Sex

Regardless of the format of delivery the Equality Act 2010 and NHS Policy ensures men and women will be treated fairly when weaning information is provided.

Gender Reassignment

There is no indication that the change to fairs will have either a negative or positive impact on the protected characteristic of gender reassignment.

Race

There is no identified negative or positive effect to the protected characteristic of race.

Disability

Dependant on the new format of delivery , consideration needs to be given to parents attending fairs that require additional support, for example a carer, or special arrangements for travel, and accessibility for wheelchairs.

Sexual Orientation

There is no identified negative or positive effect to the protected characteristic of sexual orientation

Religion and Belief

There is no identified negative or positive effect to the protected characteristic of religion or belief

Age

There is no identified negative or positive effect to the protected characteristic of age

Marriage and Civil Partnership

There is no identified negative or positive effect to the protected characteristic of marriage and civil partnership.

Pregnancy and Maternity

There is no identified negative or positive effect to the protected characteristic of pregnancy and paternity

Social and Economic Status

Fairs held at immunisation clinics will one appointment rather than two which will have a positive impact on time and travel costs.
Future delivery formats should no incur additional costs for travel.

Other marginalised groups (homeless, addictions, asylum seekers/refugees, travellers, ex-offenders

There may be more likelihood of other marginalised groups attending weaning fairs dependant on the delivery format.

D. Do you expect the policy to have any negative impact on people with protected characteristics?

Highly Likely

Probable

Possible

General

Alternative forms of delivery may affect attendance Dependant on the outcome of the review, a change in the current delivery will have an impact. A reduction in the number of fairs may negatively impact on attendance rates, whereas availability of weaning information at immunisation clinics may increase the number of parents receiving the information, but the quality of information may be compromised if time per patient is limited. Careful consideration would need to be given to all options, although it is important to note that all parents will receive information on weaning at a 3 month visit.

Sex

There is no identified negative effect to the protected characteristic of sex.
There is no identified negative effect to the protected characteristic of sex.

Gender Reassignment

There is no indication that the change to fairs will a negative impact on the protected characteristic of gender reassignment.

Race

There is no identified negative effect to the protected characteristic of race.

Disability

Parents attending fairs that require additional support, for example a carer, or special arrangements for travel will be able to obtain the weaning information and immunisation at one appointment rather than organising arrangements for separate appointments. If weaning fairs are run at health centres during immunisation clinics, this may have an impact on those attending using equipment such as wheelchairs. Although health centres are accessible, space is often limited, especially during busy times. - Noise may also have a negative impact on some people's ability to take in all the information being given.
Dependant on the new format of delivery , consideration needs to be given to parents attending fairs that require additional support, for example a carer, or special arrangements for travel.

Sexual Orientation

There is no identified negative effect to the protected characteristic of sexual orientation

Religion and Belief

There is no identified negative or positive effect to the protected characteristic of religion or belief

Age

There is no identified negative effect to the protected characteristic of age

Marriage and Civil Partnership

There is no identified negative effect to the protected characteristic of marriage and civil partnership.

Pregnancy and Maternity

There is no identified negative effect to the protected characteristic of pregnancy and paternity

Social and Economic Status

If the number of fairs are reduced this may result in further travel and additional costs for those in low income.

Other marginalised groups (homeless, addictions, asylum seekers/refugees, travellers, ex-offenders

There is no identified negative effect to the protected characteristic of marginalised groups.