Tameside Inequalities Reference Group

The Inequalities Reference Group (IRG) aims to reduce inequalities in Tameside.  The group meets on a quarterly basis, providing a forum for the sharing of ideas and thoughts on carrying out responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty.

The IRG is chaired by the Tameside Council Executive Member with lead responsibility for equalities. Membership of the group is drawn from:

• Tameside Council elected members
• NHS services
• Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCSFE) sector
• Tameside Independent Advisory Group

While the group is not a decision-making body, it acts in an advisory role to the Health and Wellbeing Board, making recommendations to steer actions in addressing inequalities and providing constructive challenges.

To fulfil this role, the IRG has selected a number of areas of focus:

• Debt journeys and service response
• Access to and experiences of ethnic minorities in healthcare
• Experiences of people with protected characteristics in the private rental sector
• Educational inequalities

Work within each area of focus will consist of involving the voices of people with lived experience of the issue, the use of data and evidence, and benchmarking against other areas.  This work may take the form of assurance updates, rapid pieces of research, or in-depth reviews.  Delivery and achievement of specific inequality objectives lies with relevant organisations and services, where it should managed.

Reports

The IRG will produce an annual public report on the work of the group, with reports produced through the various Areas of Focus published on an ad-hoc basis. Click on the links below to view these reports:

• Community Cohesion Report (September 2021)
• Digital Inclusion Report (September 2021)
• Voice of People with Learning Disabilities Report (November 2021)
• Barriers to accessing information (March 2022)
• Experiences of children and young people in the COVID-19 pandemic (August 2022)
• Mental Health and the Pandemic (August 2022) 
• Debt Journeys and Proactive Service Response (February 2024)
• Private Rented Sector (February 2024)

2022 Update

The following document provides a summary of activity for 2022:

ITEM 10 - Inequalities Reference Group FINAL.pdf (moderngov.co.uk)