Policing Together Performance Report - Content

The PT 6 Monthly Performance Report at Appendix A, comprises of updates in relation to mainstreaming and delivery against PT and the Joint Equality Outcomes for Policing. It describes progress between October 2023 and March 2024.

The report is part of a suite of performance reports based on the Performance Framework which includes measures of progress linked to the Equality Outcomes. This six-monthly reporting supplements the updates included in quarterly performance reporting and provides additional detail and focus from an equality, diversity and inclusion perspective.

The mainstreaming section of the report provides key strategic updates which are aligned to Policing Together. Key reporting against the Joint Equality Outcomes for Policing are included within the report to ensure ability to comply with legislative reporting requirements. The report provides high-level progress updates, examples of national and local activities and their impacts and some key next steps that will be updated on through future reporting. The report is structured to cover Police Scotland commitment, actions, achievements/impact and next steps. This method of reporting is consistent with Police Scotland’s approach to the legislatively required Joint Equality Outcomes for Policing Mainstreaming report.

Police Scotland’s corporate action management system, 4Action, is used to track and report high level progress against the Policing Together Implementation Plan. Visual representation of progress is included within the report with additional narratives provided by exception.

GAP ANALYSIS

As Police Scotland move towards the final 6 months of delivery of the 2021-2025 Equality Outcomes gap analysis requires to be carried out by the lead business areas; People and Development E&D, PPCW Diversity Unit and the Public Protection Unit to understand which ‘we will’ commitments have been delivered and which still requires attention. This process of gap analysis and identification of priorities will also assist with the development of the SPA and Police Scotland’s Equality Outcomes for 2025-29.

PUBLIC PROGRESS REPORTING AND REFRESH OF JOINT EQUALITY OUTCOMES

There is a legislative requirement (The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012) to publish equality outcomes at least every 4 years and to report progress made to achieve these outcomes at least every 2 years. In addition, a report must also be published on progress made to mainstream the equality duty into our functions. As a result, an E&D Mainstreaming and Equality Outcomes Progress Report and refreshed Equality Outcomes must be published by 30 April 2025. An associated E&D Employment Monitoring Report also requires to be published alongside the mainstreaming report.

The legislation requires that when setting equality outcomes, reasonable steps are taken to involve people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who represent their interests. It also requires that relevant evidence relating to persons who share a protected characteristic is considered. In addition, if the equality outcomes set do not cover every relevant protected characteristic then the evidence and reasons for this must be published.

The Joint Equality Outcomes for Policing 2021 and the last E&D Mainstreaming and Equality Outcomes Progress report (2023) were developed jointly with the SPA.

The rough timeline for the development of the 2025 Equality Outcomes is suggested below. This draws from timescales and experiences of producing the 2021 Outcome.

• Positional Review/Planning (June – Sept 2024)
• Initial Engagement/Evidence Gathering (Sept – Dec 2024)
• Drafting/Development (Dec 2024 – Jan 2025)
• Ongoing Engagement/Governance/Sign off (Jan - March 2025)
• Final Design and Publication (April 2025)

The development of the previous mainstreaming reports and equality outcomes were owned by PPCW and progressed in conjunction with stakeholders from P&D, Public Protection, APU, and SPA. Mainstreaming updates were also collated from other areas such as strategy and innovation, estates, procurement etc.

Discussion took place at the PT P&I Group and thereafter PT Tactical Group around ownership going forward for the production of the performance reports. A decision was made that the Analysis and Performance Unit should lead on the co-ordination and development of the PT 6 Monthly Performance Report and the Joint Mainstreaming and Equality Outcomes Progress Report. The reports, although led by APU, will continue to be co-ordinated by way of a sub-group and developed jointly by APU, P&D E&D, PPCW Diversity Unit, PPU and PT. It is recommended that this decision is endorsed at the PT Strategic Oversight Group.

At the PT Tactical Group on 26 April members discussed and agreed the need for a Short Life Working Group to be established to develop the new SPA and Police Scotland Joint Equality Outcomes for Policing 2025-29. It is recommended that this Group be jointly chaired by Nicky Page and Chief Superintendent Policing Together.