Policy Impact Assessment (including Equality Impact Assessment)

Transcription

1 Policy Impact Assessment (including Equality Impact Assessment) The purpose of conducting this Policy Impact Assessment is to ensure that the activities of the Force when delivering policy, strategy, function or working practice do not have an unjustified and adverse impact on policing minority groups and communities of Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. to ensure that the activities of the Force when delivering policy, strategy, function or working practice does not have an unjustified and adverse impact on its staff, particularly those from minority groups. to ensure any new or revised policy, together with its associated working practices complies with our obligations, some of which are statutory, in respect of: Reducing Bureaucracy Section A Freedom of Information Section B Data Protection Section C Management of Police Information Section E Health & Safety/Environmental Section D Equality and Human Rights Impact (screening decision) Section F Equality Impact Assessment (full) - Section G Please complete this form in conjunction with the Force Policy Handbook and assessment guidance notes available on the Force Policy Admin Website or by contacting the Force Policy Admin Team on 22826/22336/ Policy (function/procedure/working practice/strategy) Title and Number Name and contact details of Assessor Policy Owner (Department) Portfolio Owner (COG) D75 Safeguarding Adults Crime Policy officer Crime and Criminal Justice Department ACC OC Date of Assessment 23/07/2014 Policy Version date (to be completed by Policy Admin) Verified by : (Policy Officer) Associated working practices : 26/01/15 Operations Policy Officer SA001 Initial Action at the Scene SA002 Internal Referrals to CRU SA003 Lines of Enquiry SA004 Deaths in healthcare Settings SA005 The multi-agency response in safeguarding adults SA006 Associated investigations

2 Date submitted to Policy Admin 22/01/15 Check completed and registered 26/01/15 For the purposes of ease of reference 'Policy' as referred to within this Assessment equates to : Policy/Function/Project/Procedure/Working Practice/Strategy/Step by Step Guidance. Reducing Bureaucracy Section A (to be completed for new policies only) 1.1 What has changed or emerged to trigger this new policy and are the objectives of the policy clear and linked with Force Strategy? New draft guidance from ACPO in 2012 and the new Care Act 2014 triggered changes to force policy. The objectives of which are clear and in alignment with the new guidance. 1.2 Does the new policy impact unnecessarily on any front-line staff. If it does, how? No. It gives staff clear guidance when dealing with and protecting adults at risk. 1.3 What is the full impact on implementing this new policy? (eg are new processes required/cost implications/bureaucratic burden/risks involved) There are no major implications although staff must be made aware of new policy and procedures so that they can become familiar with changes made and with the new ACPO guidance. Freedom of Information Section B 2.1 Has the Policy been FOI marked in accordance with the relevant exemptions? (Where a paragraph/section is Closed one or more of the 23 exemptions must be identified and justified for further details see guidance notes) Yes the policy is marked as open and not protectively marked throughout as are all the associated working practices included in this assessment. Data Protection Section C 3.1 Does the Policy refer to personal information? (i.e. any information which identifies a living individual) If yes please complete the following : Yes If No go to Section D 3.2 Please list the personal information that will be collated? (eg name, dob, address etc) Name, address, age, DOB, occupation, medical records/history, disability of victims, witnesses and carers (where applicable). 2

3 3.3 How will it be collated? (Where will we get the personal information? the individual?) From the individuals involved, intelligence from police systems and other agencies involved such as social services or medical professionals. 3.4 Why is it to be collated and how will it be kept up to date? The information is required so that a full, thorough and effective investigation can be carried out and so that an individual/s can be properly risk assessed and protected from further harm. It will be kept up to date throughout any investigation by the OIC. 3.5 Are the time periods for retention of the personal information defined? (See Policy D32) Not in the policy. Records will be kept for a minimum of 6 years. The retention of police information is currently governed by three key pieces of legislation and guidance which are: Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA), Limitations Act 1980 and Police Act 1996 (MoPI). For full details see the information management pages on the intranet. 3.6 Is the process for removal and disposal of the personal information defined? As Are access controls in place, for the defined personal information, in accordance with the Government Protective Marking Scheme? (ie Not Protectively Marked, Restricted or Confidential) - Please contact the Information Assurance Unit for further guidance. Their contact details can be found on the attached link Access to information will be through force systems whose use is regulated through restricted access to appropriate staff for investigative/intelligence need and password control. 3.8 If personal information is to be routinely disclosed please identify the relevant lawful basis - (please contact the Data Protection Unit for guidance on this issue) Their contact details can be found on the attached link Under CPIA 1996 information can be disclosed in a Court of law. Protocols/sharing agreements are in place with partner agencies to allow the sharing of information where not doing so would put an individual/s at risk of harm. For full information and the current sharing agreements in place see the Information Management intranet pages. Records Management and Management of Police Information Section D 4.1 Will the application of this policy generate information which will be held for policing purpose? ie Protecting life and property Preserving order Preventing the commission of offences Bringing offenders to justice Any duty or responsibility on the police arising from common or statute law OR Does it generate formal records? - If it comprises sufficient content, context and structure to provide evidence of the activity that is, it contains information that is 3

4 worthy of preservation in the short, medium or long term. This will mainly incorporate the information held to meet legal requirements or information that is required to be maintained for operational and/or business reasons, e.g. MoPI, PACE, HR Records etc. The managers of your specific business function will provide the guidance on what is encompassed in this scope. If Yes - list the records generated by this Policy : POLICY PARAGRAPH NUMBER RECORDS GENERATED RETENTION PERIOD AUTHORITY FOR RETENTION Policy None Life of crime (Minimum 6 years) SA Risk management plan 2.2, 3.1 Strategy discussion/meeting 3.1, 3.7 Investigation Log 3.1 Victim/witness interviews 3.1 Photos/video of scene and injuries 3.1 Statements 3.1, 3.7 Safeguarding strategy 3.7 PNB entry 3.7 Consent to share information with partner agencies SA CRU referral SA , 2.4.5, Statements ABE interview Forensic submissions Surveillance 2.2.4, Mental capacity assessment 2.4.5, Photos, fingerprints, DNA Details of incident/pnb/log Consent for bank forms 2.5.1, 2.7.5, CRU & Adult social care referrals Application for production orders Credit history reports SARs request Adult referral report Incident and investigation log Family information & family tree Community impact Assessment Warning markers Emergency plan Travel details Threat to life warning Intelligence log Forced marriage protection order SA004 None SA Initial assessment 2.1 Social & medical assessment 2.1 Mental capacity assessment 2.1, 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.3, 4.4.4, 4.4.5, Safeguarding plan/strategy MoPI and CPIA 4

5 4.4.6, 4.4.7, 4.5.1, 4.5.4, 4.5.9, , , Intervention outcomes 3.1, 3.7, 3.9.2, Referrals 3.9.3, 3.9.4, 4.1.4, , 3.7, 4.1.1, Alerts Multi-agency meetings 3.1 Telephone conversations 3.1,3.3, Intelligence 3.3, 3.5, 4.1.4, Assessment of risk Contact with victims and witnesses 3.5, 3.6 Assessment of need 3.6 Decisions around case Call taker information Communication strategy Outcomes of all multi-agency meetings Minutes of strategy meeting 4.5.1, Statements Interviews , 4.6.1, Case Conference/minutes 4.6.3, 4.6.4, 4.6.5, 4.6.6, Protection plan Record of information for chair of case conference 4.7.1, Review Meeting 5.1 Serious case Reviews SA , Referrals to adult social care and CRU Return interview 4.2 Does this policy have any connection with : Collection Recording Evaluation and actioning Sharing Review retention and disposal of information If No - then this policy does not fall under MoPI requirements - go to Section E If Yes - does the Policy contain links to documented working practices/guidance covering roles and responsibilities? Yes. Associated working practices detail the roles and responsibilities of staff when dealing with vulnerable adults. They are included in this assessment. Health & Safety/Environmental/Green Agenda Section E 5

6 5.1 Does this policy have health and safety implications for the public or for our staff? If yes are they detailed within a generic risk assessment? (please include GRA reference if a risk assessment has been completed. If not covered by a generic risk assessment a specific risk assessment should detail any significant risks.) All risks associated with this type of investigation are covered by the Generic Risk Assessments (GRAs) and risk assessments completed as part of the investigation. Examples: GRA PPU 5.2 Who has been consulted in respect of health and safety issues? (eg Health & Safety Advisor/Occupational Health/Operations/Federation/Unions) N/A 5.3 Has compliance with environmental legislation and the 'green agenda' been considered with respect to this policy? If so, please provide details If not, explain why It has been considered but no areas for change were identified. Equality Impact Screening and Human Rights Section F - Initial Impact Screening - decision checklist - ( to be completed by Policy Officer/Assessor) 6.1 What is the purpose of the policy? The purpose of the policy is to have procedures in place to deal effectively with incidents of abuse towards adults at risk where a preventative strategy has failed. Thus protecting the life and well being of those individuals and others which may be affected. 6.2 Does the policy contain any potential interference with an individual s rights as set out in the Convention Articles listed within the Human Rights Act? (the articles most likely to impact are listed within the guidance notes at Appendix 'A') In protecting the rights of the adults at risk there is the potential that there could be some intereference to the rights of others: Article 8: The right to private and family life Article 5: The right to liberty and security 6.3 Does the policy contain a statement explaining what the specific legal basis is for any potential interference within the Human Rights Act? Explain in full (including whether the interference is justifiable, necessary and proportionate) The primary aim of the policy and its associated working practices is the safeguarding of the adult at risk. Therefore there may be cases where contact between an individual and an adult at risk is not allowed during the course of an investigation in order to safeguard the adult at risk. 6

7 The deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) were introduced into the MCA by the Mental Health Act The DoLS are designed to protect adults who lack mental capacity, against decisions depriving them of their liberty, by providing a proper legal process and protection in situations where deprivation of liberty is considered to meet the criteria within the key principles of the MCA (best interests and least restrictive option). The policy makes reference to a wide range of law around the safeguarding of adults including the obligations placed upon the state to protect individuals from harm. 6.4 What are the positive/adverse impacts of the implementation of the policy? Explain in full Prevention of further abuse and harm Clear guidance in place for staff dealing with Safeguarding Adult issues Clear links to other related areas of criminality Enhancing of multi-agency co-operation Teatment of adults at risk according to individual need Recognition that an adult at risk does not necessarily lack the capacity to make decisions The existing legal framework for safeguarding adults is complex and it has been recognised by the Law Commission that some areas of adult social care law have been based on discriminatory concepts. Recognition that ability as well as disability must be considered. 6.5 Proceeding to full Equality Impact Assessment? YES 6.6 Date of screening decision 18/09/ Deadline for completing assessment or proposed deferred date N/A 6.8 If NOT proceeding to a full Equality Impact Assessment, complete ONE of the following : Policy Officer s/assessor s reasons for deciding there is insufficient resource to proceed (eg insufficient time, staff, competing priorities, etc): N/A Policy Officer s/assessor s reasons and evidence why it is not necessary to do an assessment on this policy (eg no adverse equality impacts likely within or between equality groups): 7

8 N/A 6.9 Advice taken? Has advice been taken from the Equality & Diversity Department? Date advice taken and contact name within E&D Department.N/A NO 6.10 What was the advice provided or reason as to why advice was not sought? Proceeding to full EIA. Advice will be taken at a later stage ( to be completed/verified by Departmental Head / Function Owner or appropriate Chief Officer) 6.11 What level of risk would the organisation be exposed to by not proceeding with an assessment? Reason to support decision : The organisation requires policy and procedure that is up to date to ensure that operational delivery meets national standards. Failing to proceed with the assessment could lead to a loss of confidence in the service and inequality in service delivery Decision whether to proceed with assessment and supporting comments Reason to support decision : The assessment is authorised as current force policy and practice needs to reflect national changes in legislation and best practice. Deadline for completing the assessment or deferred proposed Date 6.13 Decision approval by Departmental Head / Function Owner or appropriate Chief Officer: Name:D/Supt Northcott Position held: Head of Public Protection Date: 16/12/2014 Once completed an electronic copy of this completed form must be sent to Policy Admin 8