Becky Bigby.
Unit 5- Meeting individual care and support needs.
AP1. Explain the importance of promoting equality and diversity for individuals with
different needs.
Equality is ensuring individuals or groups of individuals are treated equally
and no less favourably specific to their needs. In addition, it is also the belief
that no one should have poorer life chances because of the way they were
born, where they come from, what they believe or whether they have a
disability. Linking to the equality act 2010 this is a law which protects an
individual from discrimination and protects the rights of all individuals. There
are 9 characteristics that are protected by the equality act these include:
age, disability, gender, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy, race,
religion/beliefs, sex, sexual orientation. [Equality and Human Rights Commission
(2010] Promoting equality is a key aspect in general day to day life and it
protects people from being discriminated against. Inequality can cause an
individual to suffer from negative self-esteem, a lack of self-esteem can lead
to an individual suffering from increased mental health such as depression.
The individual may also feel isolated and not accepted, this may affect how
the individual sees others, and this may affect the individuals’ levels of
happiness. They may be less likely to engage in social interactions too. There
are also Benefits of Equality, and a few include: increased performance,
better and more positive working relationships, individuals feeling more
accepted and understood, equality initially creates happier and more content
healthier human beings [CIPD 2022, November 1]
Diversity is appreciating and valuing all forms of ‘difference’ in individuals.
These differences may include ethnicity, culture and beliefs, age, sexuality/
gender, social status, political beliefs, education etc. [Acas. 2023] An example
of diversity within a health and social care setting is- in a hospital there may
be an individual who is Muslim meaning they can only eat halal food, in this
scenario ensuring there is different options or a different menu for this
individual or anyone else, is an example of diversity. Respecting diversity
helps to ensure that everyone feels valued and have the same access to all
opportunities despite their differences. Ignoring diversity does not benefit
anyone. [Unionlearn. 2022] Like equality, if an individual feels their differences
are not being respected nor supported, they may feel a lack of self-esteem,
the feeling of isolation, a loss in faith in themselves, a lack of interest in their
job and if diversity is not met within a workplace the organization is unlikely
to retain loyalty.
Promoting both equality and diversity ensures that Valarie B’s needs are
met. Her parents died when she was 6 this could infer she suffers from
trauma and abandonment issues which could have left her feeling unlovable,
depressed, and torn. Equality within both case studies means that Valarie is
,treated equally and gets the support she needs. She has never been
assessed for support in terms of her hearing. This shows an example of
inequality. Valarie has not been given the opportunity to improve her hearing
nor received support. Promoting equality would mean settings provide clear
and simple signage and maps which use easy words and symbols for
communication and information, but the main thing would be getting support
for this and receiving the proper items she may need to help her with this
need. Valarie is obese, this could infer the idea that some health care
professionals may discriminate against her or view her as different, this
could leave Valarie feeling emotions of upset anger and worthlessness. To
show Equality and Diversity may mean Valarie could be set up with a
dietician, to encourage her and inform her on how to keep a healthy diet and
quick healthy vegetarian meal ideas. Valarie has suffered from
discrimination due to being bullied by local teenagers this is likely, she
already suffers from low self-esteem so this is likely to worsen as well as her
potentially feeling depressed which can lead to isolation. Talking to a
professional such as a counsellor could improve her overall confidence in
herself. For Tremayne’s these also ensure his needs are met. Tremayne has
autism and is quite disruptive whilst being subject to outbursts of temper,
this could mean he is discriminated against. The staff working within the
services need to ensure the Equality act 2010 is always implemented to
ensure he is given the best support as well as the other service users. If
equality is not met, Tremayne may develop low self-esteem. Therefore,
services must give him equal access to the services he may need to ensure
he feels comfortable and accepted as well equal opportunities to other
service users.
Tremayne is 54 years of age meaning he may struggle
developing/maintaining relationships or friendships, due to him being
admitted to the hospital he may feel lonely and secluded, meaning he would
need extra support in terms of his emotional development. An example of
extra support could simply be the professionals and hospital staff checking in
on him, making sure he is content, having someone check in on him is likely
to make him feel a little happier. As previously mentioned, he also has
outbursts of anger which cause other service users to become distressed. To
keep equality, the professions need to ensure that they are patient. Patience
may mean that Tremayne is calmer, and he will feel understood which could
prevent him from having outbursts of temper. As a result of this, the service
users around him may also feel more comfortable and less distressed.
Diversity would mean that no one makes a fuss or problem out of Tremayne
having this, and Equality would mean his needs are considered and the staff
promote the right services. This could be done through, adding wheat free
meals options to the hospital menu however this may not be that easy to do,
therefore an easier option could be to set Tremayne up with a dietician to
discuss his diet and the potential of a diet plan. Some individuals with autism
, don’t like change and in terms of interactions they may be selective with
who they speak too, as he lives with a team of carers, inference can be made
that he knows them well and as a result of this if he feels comfortable a carer
could come with him when seeing a dietician or the dietician could come to
where Tremayne is located so that he is a comfortable setting.
Both Valarie and Tremayne lead different lives, with different needs and
requirements. One of the most obvious differences within these two case
studies are the ages Valarie is 24 whilst Tremayne is 54. Meaning they are at
different life stages, and they have different needs and require different
types of support. Valarie’s has had a more sudden life change whereas
Tremayne’s have been more continuous and outgoing. Both Valarie and
Tremayne were admitted to hospital, however these were for different
reasons. Valarie was transferred following appendix surgery and Tremayne
was admitted due to breaking his legs in three places. They both also have
dietary requirements which will affect their lives, but these dietary
requirements differ. Valarie is vegetarian which tends to be a choice unless
for medical reasons. In other cases it might also be because of religious
reasons for example Muslim individuals must eat meat which is halal.
It is important to promote both equality and diversity towards both case
studies. Valarie already has mental health problems, obesity, low self-
esteem, bullying, unemployment, and a hearing impairment. It is vital that
she does not worsen in any of these aspects. If mental health problems
become worse, it can cause individuals to become isolated and withdrawn
which can lead to the worst-case scenario of suicide. Linking to her mental
health, having a low self-esteem will not help in terms of losing weight. Self-
esteem is how a person feels and sees themselves, if this is negative, she
may no value within herself and as previously mentioned she may not feel
motivated to change her lifestyle. If equality and diversity are met, Valarie’s
whole perspective on life and herself may completely change in a positive
way and moving forward she could become a healthier, happier individual. It
is important that through equality there are things such as written signs,
clear directions, information booklets and if she’s in a waiting room she may
not be able to hear her name called out, therefore a number appearing on a
screen could be helpful.
Tremayne has autism, although this is different and varies from individual-to-
individual equality is important. Not promoting equality towards him may
mean he becomes more frustrated and angrier, as he feels shut out and not
accepted, already he is subject to not only disruptive behavior but outburst
of anger. This would mean services such as hospitals would need to ensure
he is given the same opportunities to other service users providing him with
equal approaches. This could empower him as someone with a learning
condition like Tremayne may feel like an outcast or unaccepted within
societal standards and norms, therefore ensuring he is given equal
