Public Sector Equality Duty

10.    Since 2010 under the Equalities Act GCC has a duty to meet the requirements laid down. The Public Sector Equality Duty Act requires a local authority in the exercise of its function to have due regard to the need to: 

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination 
  
• Eliminate harassment and victimisation 
  
• 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 

This means that when we undertake our assessment or support plan we have to ensure that we pay due regard to the 9 characteristics. These are: 

• Age 
• Disability
• Race 
• Religion & Belief 
• Sex 
• Sexual Orientation 
• Gender Reassignment 
• Pregnancy & Maternity 
• Marriage & Civil Partnership 

Due regard means we need to consider the above characteristics and ensure that if any of them apply we mention how we are considering the effect on the service user.