Fostering Understanding, Reducing Prejudice and Setting Equality Outcomes

The commission in Scotland recognises the need to improve the work and profile of Good Relations in Scotland. The commission initiated an advisory group with representatives from across the public sector in Scotland and key voluntary sector agencies.

As part of this drive to improve work around this theme in Scotland, we commissioned a partnership between independent consultants EKOS and Unify, to identify good practice examples by public authorities in Scotland.

This report identified four good practice case studies, along with considerations for future good relations work.

To further assist public authorities to meet their public sector duty as regards good relations (see below), we have published a short brief for work on good relations.

The Commission in Scotland also ran an event to launch the report and to explore the issues of the third element of the general duty of the public sector equality duty (PSED) with regard to good relations.

Note:

The general equality duty requires public authorities, in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to:

• Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010
• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not
• Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not

Good relations further involves having due regard, in particular, to the need to 'tackle prejudice' and 'promote understanding' between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.