Unit 2, Lo1- Concept of Equality, Diversity and Rights

Equality 

Promoting equality means ensuring people are treated fairly and equally. All individuals must be given the same choices and opportunities regardless of their specific needs and differences.

Diversity

Diversity encompasses recognising and valuing that every individual is unique. Valuing diversity involves accepting and respecting individuals differences 

Rights 

Rights are what everyone is legally entitled to and are enshrined in legislation

• Race
• Religion
• Disability
• Age
• Sexuality and sexual orientation
• Language 
• Social class
• Food
• Dress
• Education
• Cultural differences
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Family structure

Promoting Equality and Diversity 

• Care workers should always use non-discriminatory language and not be patronising to the individuals they are caring for.
• They should challenge discrimination made by another staff member or another individual.
• Care should meet an individual's specific needs 

Promoting individuals rights and beliefs 

• Care environments could provide access to a prayer room to support individuals' religious needs 
• Providing menus of vegetarian, gluten-free, halal and kosher options to cater everyone's needs

Maintaining confidentiality

• Documents containing personal information should be filed away in a locked cabinet.
• Information should only be shared on a 'need to know' basis with practitioners involved.  
• It would not be appropriate for care staff to chat in a corridor about a patient.

Keeping children safe and maintaining a healthy environment

• A safeguarding procedure should be in place and all staff should be DBS checked
• Staff should wear lanyards for identification
• Health and safety procedures and legislation should be followed, including a bullying policy.  
• There should also be an appropriate staff to child ratio 

Working in partnership with parents/ guardians

• There should be a two-way relationship between parents and the staff and the care setting.
• Daily diaries should be kept by nursery staff to keep the parents informed of progress
• Parents could be invited in to discuss behaviour or other issues 
• The environment could welcome parents by having open days so the parents can look around

Encouraging children's learning and development 

• Activities should be stimulating and interesting for the children and suited to their developmental progress  

Valuing diversity

• celebrate a range of festivals with all the children
• displays, toys, resources, and food should reflect different cultures, beliefs and needs
• meeting individual communication or mobile needs show all children are valued  

Ensuring equality of opportunity 

• staff should be aware of, and follow, the equal opportunities policy
• all children should be treated fairly with no 'Favourites' 
• activities should be accessible to all and all areas should be accessible as well. 

Anti-discriminatory practice and maintaining confidentiality 

• Staff should be good role models
• Discriminatory comments or behaviour should be challenged
• Information should only be shared on a 'need to know' basis
• Children's personal information should be kept secure.
• It is important that staff do not have conversations where they can be overheard 

Advocacy services

• Advocacy means getting support from another person in order to help an individual express their views and wishes, and ensures their voice is heard. 
• Examples of organisations that provide advocacy services:
• Mencap
• Empower me
• British Institute of learning disabilities

Informal support 

• Individuals may receive informal support from people they know, such as friends and family. 
• Often these people provide essential services. this type of support can support people to maintain their independence and help them continue living in their own home 

SEAP- A charity that provides free, independent and confidential advocacy services. It helps resolve issues or concerns about health and wellbeing or health and social care services. The aim is to ensure that individuals are in control of decisions that are made about them

Mencap- A charity that works in partnership with people with a learning disability, and supports people to live life as they choose.

Empower Me- An organisation that develops advocacy and service user involvement projects. It supports mental health service users and people with learning difficulties to have a voice   

British Institute of Learning Disabilities- A body that complains for people with learning disabilities to be valued equally, participate fully in their communities and be treated with dignity and respect 

Mind- A charity that provides advice and support to empower those experiencing a mental health problem 

Age UK- A charity that raises awareness of the difficult situations faced by many older people, and keeps relevant issues in the public eye and relevant in parliament

Headway- An association that promotes understanding about brain injuries and provides information, support and services to survivors, their families and carers