Equal Opportunities in Community Engagement
Description
A key principle of community engagement is the need to remove barriers to participation. There are a number of measures that can be built in to approaches to community engagement to make them more accessible. These include accessible information and language, accessible venues, outreach activity and practical support such as childcare or travelling expenses.
Potential Uses
These measures are used to ensure that approaches to community engagement are accessible to, and involve, the whole community.
How it Works
Accessible information and language
Publicity and information used in community engagement should be kept as clear and simple as possible. In communities where English may not be the first language of some members, consideration should be given to making information available in other community languages. People with visual impairments should be able to access information in a suitable format.
Accessible venues
Venues selected for community consultation events should be as accessible as possible. They should be physically accessible for people with mobility difficulties, they should not involve difficult or expensive travel arrangements, they should be well signposted and generally "user friendly".
Outreach approaches
It is often difficult to engage with individuals and communities who may not be confident or used to participating in events such as public meetings and community conferences. Consideration must be given to meeting with people in their own familiar surroundings. For example older people may be consulted through visits to lunch clubs, elderly forums or visits to sheltered housing schemes as well as ensuring that any other arrangements for consultation are open to them. Consultation on issues surrounding services for under fives can be undertaken, through visits to nurseries, playgroups and health centre clinics.
Practical support services
Ensuring participation often involves providing a number of practical support services such as childcare/creche facilities or assistance with childcare costs.
Resources Required
Resource requirements vary depending on what is built in to the programme.
Further Information
For a range of publications on engaging with equalities groups please click here.
A new section on engaging with minority ethnic communities has been
produced as part of this guide please click here to go to this section.
Case studies on engaging with equalities groups have been developed as part of this guide. To see the range of equalities case studies click here.
The Scottish Executive have produced Guidance on Good Practice in consulting with equalities groups.
Click here for advice on involving young people:
