Unit Shc 33: Promote Equality and Inclusion in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings

Unit SHC 33: Promote equality and inclusion in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings

Learning Outcome 1
Understand the importance of diversity, equality and inclusion

Assessment Criteria 1.1
What is meant by: diversity, equality and inclusion?
• Diversity Refers to the variety and differences between people and groups in our society.
These differences need to be recognised and respected.

Differences can be related to: o Gender o Ethnicity o Social background o Race o Cultural background o Religion and Beliefs o Family structure o Disabilities o Sexuality o Appearance o Age o Economic Status

• Equality
Refers to treating everyone in society fairly and equally.
This does NOT mean treating people as the same, but as individuals whose opportunities will be as good as those experienced by others.
Sometimes in order to treat people equally you have to treat them differently.
All people should be valued for their individuality and offered any support that they might need.
Everyone should be treated with the care, consideration and respect that they have a right to and given the same opportunities to learn and achieve as others.

• Inclusion
Inclusion is a process to include everyone and meet individual needs.
It is a human right for every individual.
It means that everyone counts and differences should be valued, respected and celebrated.
Inclusion involves identifying barriers that prevent people from taking part, being involved and fitting in. Knowledge is needed to understand these barriers which can only then be broken down. It is everyone’s responsibility to remove these barriers. It involves making sure that all support systems are available in order for everyone to participate fully.

Assessment Criteria 1.2

The potential effects of discrimination

Prejudice is an attitude, opinion or feeling about someone based on their sexuality, gender, age, abilities, language, religion, ethnicity, appearance, cultural, social and family background. It means to judge someone before you have even met them, usually based on unfair, negative assumptions, for example:
• Sexism – believing that one gender is superior to the other
• Racism – assuming that some people are inferior to others because of their skin colour or ethnicity

Discrimination means treating someone less favourably based on prejudiced assumptions.
It is commonly based on:
• Skin colour, ethnicity
• Cultural background
• Disability
• Gender
• Social background, class
• Family structure
• Age
• Religion
• Sexuality

Discrimination not only affects the individual it is directed at, but also those around them.

Effects on the individual
• Isolation and loneliness
• Loss of confidence and self-esteem, low self-worth
• Feeling neglected and degraded
• Unhappiness, depression
• Confusion, frustration
• Feeling unsettled
• Withdrawing
• Loss of motivation
• Behavioural changes
• Can affect learning and development
• Lower standard of service received
• Needs not met, missed opportunities
• Difficulty forming relationships because of low self-esteem
• Unable to fulfil potential due to denied opportunities
• Can become aggressive
• Feel ashamed about their own cultural background
• Can feel they are to blame for their unfair treatment
• Inability to develop abilities and talents
• Denial of rights

Effects on families or friends of the individual
• Annoyance and anger
• Unhappiness
• Feeling let down, unsupported
• Worried about the individual
• May also feel discriminated against
• Feeling of worthlessness
• Stressed, under pressure

Effects on those who inflict discrimination
• Feel powerful and superior
• Confident and in control
• Can develop a warped and unhealthy view of society and the world
• Following the incident they may feel ashamed and regret their actions
• Can lead to isolation and punishment.

Effects on the wider society
• Will be divided
– some sympathetic with the individual and against the treatment they have received
– some may unfortunately agree with the discriminator and their beliefs
• Can lead to the sharing and gaining of knowledge about discrimination and its effects

We live in an increasingly diverse society which can lead to prejudice and discrimination.
We all have a duty to raise any concerns we have with the manager and should be committed to challenging discrimination.

Assessment Criteria 1.3

How does inclusive practice promote equality and support diversity?

 Identifying barriers to inclusion and breaking them down helps us to offer equal opportunities to each individual.

 Everyone has different strengths, weaknesses, wishes and needs. By appreciating people for who they are and admiring their distinctive characteristics we can show them that they are special and unique.

 By recognising people’s differences and responding appropriately, we can then celebrate diversity, which helps to promote individuality and the importance of everyone’s own special qualities.

 Our own attitudes are passed onto children, so by expressing positive attitudes about difference we can pass on the positive value of diversity.

 By personalising the learning of each child we can build on their individual interests, skills and strengths.

 Ensuring that each child is included and given the opportunity to participate, we can create a feeling of belonging.

 Adapting the environment to suit different needs and providing support systems helps each individual to feel valued and to achieve their potential.

 By challenging discrimination we spread the idea that it is not acceptable.

 Reflecting on and challenging our own prejudices and behaviour can help to educate others about the importance of diversity.

 Increasing our knowledge and understanding of different cultures helps to promote the value of diversity.