Promote Equality and Inclusion in Health

Understand the importance of diversity, equality and inclusion 1.2 Describe the potential effects of discrimination

Discrimination on the grounds of age, gender, race, sexuality or ability can damage a person’s self esteem and reduce their ability to develop and maintain a sense of identity. The potential of effects of discrimination are likely to vary between different people, these could be emotional or physical or potentially both at times. Possible effects could be:

– Depressions
– Low self esteem
– Stress
– Feeling isolated
– Fear of rejection
– Humiliation
– Weight loss or gain
– Anger

Long term effects could be:
– Long term depression
– Increased behaviour problems
– Difficulty communicating
– Lack of acheivement
– Restricted opportunities

1.3 Explain how inclusive practice promotes equality and supports diversity

Inclusive practice promotes an indiviuals rights to acess equal opportunities. By ensuring that this happens promotes diversity. There are various pieces of legislation which have been put in place to promote equality and reduce discrimination. These include:

– The Disability Discrimination Act 2005
– The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001
– The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000
– Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006
– Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN, 1989)
– The Human Rights Act 1998
– The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (as amended)
– Employment Equality Regulations 2003

Inclusive practice is about the attitudes, approaches and strategies taken to ensure that people are not excluded or isolated.

Examples of inclusive practice are:

– Providing a ramp to allow wheelchair access to a building
– Providing information in a range of languages and in audio format

Responding sensitively to an individual’s diverse needs supports them in developing a sense of belonging, well-being and confidence in their identity and abilities. It also helps them to acheive their potential and allow them to take their rightful place in society.

Be able to promote diversity, equality and inclusion

3.3 Describe how to challenge discrimination in a way that promotes change

Throughout our social care setting it is important that discrimination is challenged if it has been witnessed. There are many different ways discrimination can be challenged to promote change. Some examples are: – Practicing Active Participation – By doing as much as possible to support only the parts of people’s lives that they really cannot manage for themselves, we can allow individuals to realise their value and reduce a feeling of isolation. This can help an individual gain self esteem and encourage them to take control and make their own decisions which will help to reduce any form of abuse and discrimination. – Quick and Effective Complaint Procedure – This will help to let the individual know how seriously the act witnessed had been taken and the consequences of discrimination. Discrimination is less likely to occur if others have a strong understanding of the consequences. – Meeting and Discussion – Discussing and energising issues in day to day tasks help individuals to challenge discrimination.