Screening is the process by which the impacts of policies on the nine categories are initially reviewed. The Equality Commission, in its 2001 Guide to the Statutory Duty, states that for each policy, the following criteria must be considered:

• Is there any evidence of higher or lower participation or uptake by different groups?
  
• Is there any evidence that different groups have different needs, experiences, issues, and priorities in relation to the particular policy?
  
• Is there an opportunity to better promote equality of opportunity or better community relations by altering the policy or working with others in government or in the larger community?
  
• Have consultations with relevant groups, organisations or individuals indicated that particular policies create problems which are specific to them?
  
  

In line with other public bodies in the Northern Ireland Health and Social Services, the CSA conducted screening in two stages:

(1) an initial document outlining the policies and procedures of the CSA was sent out for consultation seeking views on the equality implications of policies

(2) taking the views of consultees into account, a follow-up document was then circulated indicating which policies will be subject to Equality Impact Assessment