P1 – Explain the importance of promoting equality and diversity for
individuals with different needs
Define what equality, diversity, discrimination and anti-discrimination is in relation to
H&SC
Equality is the central point of importance when it comes to give the best care,
because it allows for professionals to treat everyone alike according to their needs,
to make sure everyone gets equality to their diverse needs. For example, people get
access to the upstairs, such as lifts, if they are unable to use the stairs (SFC, 2020).
In 2010 and Equality Act was put in place, the act makes sure that everyone is
protected from being discriminated against and gets equal treatment, the act
promotes dignity in Health & Social Care. (SCIFE, 2020). Because of the equality
act, Tremayne would be treated alike according to his needs without being
discriminated against about his Autism and through this Act, the staff will have to
make sure that he has an equal number of opportunities such as allowing him to
make his own decisions such as if he wants to live independently or with a career,
through the Act the staff need to. For Aisha, the Equality Act 2010 makes sure that
staff respect her religion is and is made sure she eats how her religion expects her to
unless because of her dementia her food preference changes.
Diversity means that every individual is different and unique with their own set of
characteristics. Diversity is respecting the difference between each individual and
behaving well towards everyone’s worth, age, culture, ability, disability, gender,
background, sexual orientation, religion, race and a way of life which allows to
protect individuals’ dignity (Express, 2020). Through diversity Aisha is allowed to
follow her religion and be respected for her beliefs and the actions she wants to do
while practising Buddhism, this would be able to make her feel heard and
empowered because her life choices and religion is being respected. For Tremayne
diversity allows him to be treated like a proper individual without being put into a
separate group and be excluded because of his disability, this will allow him to feel
more empowered about himself and his disability and make him more comfortable to
be in social situations and areas.
Discrimination happens when someone has some kind of negative view of someone
to say about an individual’s difference that they have made an assumption about.
Discrimination happens everywhere including in the health & social care
environment, such as a staff member could treat you differently compared to
someone else because of your difference's. There is indirect Discrimination, that
could happen when you are being treated like everyone else however it may still
affect you worse because of different reason such as some kind of disability. Direct
Discrimination is when you are being treated completely differently compared to
anyone else because of your certain characteristic. Discrimination is something that
Aisha and Tremayne have unfortunately most likely faced at some point in their life.
Discrimination could affect Aisha because of her dementia, her opinions and beliefs
could be brushed aside by any individual because they believe that because of her
, dementia she would not be affected. Tremayne could be affected by discrimination
because of his autism, he could have in the past difficulties being accepted into
workplaces because jobs did not want to deal with Tremayne.
Anti-Discrimination is all about preventing discrimination that is happening to an
individual, anti-discrimination is important for ethical reasons, anti-discriminatory
practice is put into place to protect all the vulnerable people under care from any
discrimination that may happen. Anti-Discrimination prevents Aisha from being taken
less seriously because of her dementia and allows her to be treated equally
according to her individual needs and not feel ashamed about her disease and make
her not withdrawal from any activities she may enjoy or socialising. Tremayne
through anti-discrimination practice is able to not be at once judged because of his
autism and the staff/employer are being patient and calm with him which allows him
to be more comfortable.
Explain why it is important for H&SC practitioners to promote equality, diversity and
anti-discrimination
It is important for H&SC practitioners to promote equality, diversity and anti-
discrimination because it creates a save space for every individual and makes them
feel valued and listened to, it allows everyone to have an equal opportunity despite
having differences.
Equality is important to promote because it creates an environment where every
individual with different needs is valued and cared for equally according to how they
need to. They also get various opportunities that make them feel good about
themselves, empowerment is an important part of equality. Since every individual
under care is vulnerable it is important to follow certain legislations that promote
equality such as the Equality Act 2010.
Equality Act 2010 was made to protect the rights of individuals and protects them
from being mistreated.
Diversity is important to promote because individuals should be treated regardless of
any characteristics that they have, such as: race, religion, age, sexuality, how mature
you are, disability. Practitioners should be taught how to value diversity and respect
everyone's differences because it is a key to being able to make individuals feel
welcomed and comfortable. Care plans are an important part because it makes a
clear table of everything that the individual needs, likes, dislikes, history and beliefs.
Anti-Discrimination is important to promote because it is ethical, it protects
vulnerable people from discrimination happening to them. Training staff on anti-
discrimination to be able to challenge it is important to create an environment where
individuals do not feel unwelcome and unfairly treated. Promoting anti-discrimination
protects not only people of today but also into further future.