Understand the importance of diversity , equality , inclusion and discrimination.
Diversity - is definited as being when many different types of things or people are included in something.Within the health and social care setting, diversity is always prominent in care home for the elderly. this is due to different age groups, different cultures and different beliefs.
Equality - the difinition of equality is that everyone be equal. The Equality Act of 2010 identifies the needs to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and equally.The Equality Act identifies the areas in which we can all expect to be treated as n equal, these include ( basic human needs, housing,warmth, education and employment, transport, health and social care, sufficient money to live , childcare.
Inclusion - the action of being included in to a group. It is fine to say that everyone has equal access but we also need to ensure that no one is prevented from joining in an activity due to any differences ( this is the main topic for inclusion).
Discrimination - treatment of one group or person in a less or more favourable way then another on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age or other prejudice.
It is often easy to make broad, sweeping statements that we believe apply to everyone who belongs to a particular group.It is the exact opposite of valuing diversity, by saying that everyone is the same. This is the basis of prejudice and discriminationand we need to be sure that we are not guilty of making generalisations and thinking about people in stereotypes.
In a care setting we have many residents who have a variety of knowledge and experience. Sometimes these experiences can lead to prejudical beliefs.
Direct discrimination may occur in the workplace when for example someone is not allowed out on a break because they don’t smoke or drink hot drinks, regardless of their rights or wishes in going for a break. Direct discrimination occurs when an individual is aware of what they are doing, and are acting in a purposeful way towards people without regard for equality. Indirect discrimination occurs when the practitioner does not know or realise that their actions may in some way discriminate one service user over another and not allow them to have their care needs met. For example someone with a physical disability not being asked to go on a trip somewhere that is beautiful for walking, the individual may have once loved to walk and would appreciate even being somewhere beautiful. Assuming that service users from the same culture will have the same characteristics is also indirect discrimination, and may result in a very upset person if they are not asked what they like to do or eat, instead of just assuming.
By understanding the diversity of needs we can establish like and dislike within a community and enhances the living condicions. Sometimes we have different cultures living in the same environment, instead of identifying these as special circumstances, for example vegetarians, by giving them a label, we could embrance this culture and have a theme night of vegetarian food. By doing this we explore differences and enable other to learn and maybe enjoy the food.
Know how to work in sn inclusive way
There is lots of legislation relating to the diversity, equality, inclusion and discrimination in adult social care settings, including key acts such as:
The equality act of 2010
The disability discrimination act 2005
The equal pay act 1970
The sex discrimination act 1975 (and amendments of 1982, 1999)
The race relations act of 1976 (and amendments of 2000, 2003) There are also other acts of legislation that relate to diversity, equality, inclusion and discrimination which include some of the following:
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
Human Rights Act 1998
Employment Act 2002
Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003
Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003