Equality and Inclusion in Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings

Know the importance of equality and inclusion within health, social care and children's and young people's settings. 

Equality is about ensuring that everybody gets the same opportunities and that inclusion means that everybody is included in activities if they wish to.

e.g. a visually impaired person may need audio or braille or have a document read to them so they get the same opportunity to get information.

It is important to recognise that everybody has the right to feel included irrespective of their race, gender, gender reassignment, religion, sexual orientation.

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  State what is meant by equality and inclusion. 

• 1.2

  Give reasons why it is important in health, social care and children's and young people's settings to treat all service users fairly and to make them all feel welcome. 

Know about prejudice and discrimination. 

Prejudice is about having an opinion about a type of person or group that is usually based on incorrect information.

Discrimination is treating others less favourably based on this prejudice, e.g. a male worker cannot work with a female service user just because of the difference in gender or thinking that boys will not want to play with dolls.

It is important not to discriminate as it is unfair, disrespectful, can upset people, denies people their rights and people are not given equal treatment.

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  State what is meant by prejudice. 

• 2.2

  Give examples of different types of discrimination that could occur in health, social care and children's and young people's settings. 

• 2.3

  State why it is important not to discriminate. 

Know how health, social care and children's and young people's settings can demonstrate equality and inclusion. 

All organisations will have policies and procedures to understand and follow. These are based on legal requirements.

Working in a person centred way can reduce the likelihood of discrimination because all individuals will have been consulted about their needs, wishes and preferences. Staff will respect these beliefs and wishes. 

Religious practices catered for

Disability access to a building

Leaflets in different languages and braille

It is important that discrimination is not accepted or ignored.

A worker must know how to report or complain about discrimination if they cannot challenge it themselves.

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Give examples of ways in which organisations can ensure that they are treating all service users fairly and making them feel welcome. 

• 3.2

  State how to deal with discriminatory behaviour.