By focusing on outcomes rather than objectives, this specific duty aims to bring practical improvements in the life chances of those who experience discrimination and disadvantage.

The previous equality outcomes were:

• Improve the response given to people experiencing domestic abuse
• Reduce Identity Based Harassment and all hate crime within Falkirk progress report
• Improve response so that we meet the needs of our Black and Minority Ethnic communities.
• Reduce the impact of the impact of Covid-19 on the groups that are most affected.

Appendix 2: Falkirk Council Equality Outcomes 2021-2025 provides our progress with these over the past four years.

To prepare our future equality outcomes, discussion across all council services took place, focusing on identifying the biggest inequalities arising from previous research, engagement and data analysis. These discussions took place with the Corporate Management Team, Senior Managers and specific staff who work with inequalities and lead officers for services by looking at previous plans and data.  

From there, we came up with a list of 11 possible outcomes. These were reviewed by the Equalities and Human Rights Working Group, and further refined based on what was specific, measurable and suitable for mainstreaming. This resulted in 7 outcomes that were put out to public consultation.  

These were shared via a short survey on our engagement platform, Participate+ in December 2024 and January 2025, resulting in 136 responses. This was put on participate plus on 5th December 2024 until 26th January 2025, through which we received 136 responses. Paper copies were provided in the Falkirk Libraries, where 4 responses were received.  

Based on the survey results, including incorporation of the main themes arising from the additional comments, we propose to focus on the following outcomes for the next 4 years: 

• Our services meet the needs of those experiencing inequalities
• Attainment is raised and educational inequality is reduced, especially for at risk of experiencing inequalities
• Young people (16-19 year olds) are supported to enter and sustain work, education or training, particularly those from our most deprived areas, those who are care experienced and those with additional support needs
• People with disabilities have access to the opportunities and integrated support they need to enter, sustain and progress into and within fair work
• Travel across our area is inclusive and accessible, especially for young people and those with disabilities

Appendix 3: Future Equality Outcomes Action Plan 2025-2027 sets out proposed actions to achieve these outcomes as well as measures to allow us to know if we are successful. Appendix 4 provides a summary report of the engagement exercise and its results.