Equality, Diversity and rights

What are national initiatives?

A government-led programme, policy, or legislation designed to address specific societal issues. Sets standards or protects rights across an entire country.

What is an example of a national initiative?

Public health campaigns — efforts to reduce smoking, encourage healthy eating and increase physical activity.

What is the impact of legislation and national initiatives on practitioners?

Provides clear guidelines to follow, including policies and procedures.

What is the impact of legislation and national initiatives on staff selection and interviews?

Must comply with the Equality Act. Job ads must not reference protected characteristics. Interview questions must be non-discriminatory and the same for all candidates.

What is the impact of legislation and national initiatives on organisational policies?

Ensures health and social care settings address how they will provide the best quality care.

What is the impact of legislation and national initiatives on person-centred care?

Reasonable adjustments must be made to accommodate disabilities.

What is the impact of legislation and national initiatives on redress?

Provides a system of redress and enforces the law if rights are breached.

How do policies promote good practice?

Provide guidance on handling situations. Ensures consistent care and the same standards. Staff know their responsibilities. Professional conduct is clear. Legal requirements are met. System of redress is in place. Gives individuals their rights. Service users feel safe and secure. Develops trust.

What are the benefits of organisational policies for the individual?

Prevents discrimination. Ensures fair treatment according to their needs. Promotes access and opportunity. Builds self-esteem and feeling valued. Feels safe and secure.

What are the benefits of organisational policies for the care worker?

Helps them do their job effectively. Guides good practice and quality care. Provides protection from accusations if the policy was followed. Ensures consistent high standards across all staff.

What are the benefits of organisational policies for the organisation?

Helps provide a quality service. Ensures staff work within the law. Helps the organisation run smoothly with clear procedures. Protects against complaints and builds a good reputation.

What are the impacts of legislation and national initiatives?

Empowerment. Person-centred care. Accessible services. System of redress. Clear guidelines for practitioners. Staff selection and interview procedures. Organisational policies.

What is the impact of legislation and national initiatives on empowerment?

Enables individuals to make informed choices and decisions.

What is the definition of equality?

Treating everyone fairly, in consideration of their needs.

What is the definition of diversity?

Respecting and accepting the differences in people.

What is the definition of rights?

What individuals are entitled to, to ensure diversity and equality in society. Basic human rights apply to everyone.

What is the definition of a misconception?

A view or opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty thinking or understanding.

Who does the Equality Act protect?

Everyone is protected against discrimination due to the protected characteristics they have.

What are the nine protected characteristics?

Age. Sex. Sexual orientation. Disability. Pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership. Race. Gender reassignment. Religion or belief.

When are you protected against discrimination?

Education settings. Employment. Use of public functions and services.

What is the public sector equality duty?

A legal obligation for public authorities under the Equality Act. It requires bodies to consider how their policies and decisions affect people with protected characteristics. Aims to eliminate discrimination and provide equality of opportunity.

What is the definition of a stereotype?

A fixed, oversimplified and biased belief about a group of people.

What is the definition of labelling?

The labelling theory is a concept that suggests that people behave in the way they do due to society identifying them with those behaviours.

What is the definition of prejudice?

An assumption or opinion about a person simply based on that person's membership in a particular group.

What impacts can unconscious biases have in care?

Diagnostic errors. Reduced individualised care. Feelings of mistrust.

What are strategies to address and combat bias?

Regular training. Reflective practice. Promoting diversity. Focus on person-centred care.

What are our six rights?

Choice. Right to life. Confidentiality. Protection from harm and abuse. Equal and fair treatment. Consultation.

What does the right to choice do?

Gives individuals control over their lives and care. Promotes independence and self-esteem.

What does the right to life do?

An individual's life is protected by law. No one is allowed to hurt you and you are not allowed to hurt anyone.

What does the right to confidentiality do?

Information only shared on a need to know basis. Consent is needed to share information, unless at risk of harm.

What does the right to protection from harm and abuse do?

Safeguarding procedures followed at all times. Health and safety legislation adhered to. Risk assessments carried out.

What does the right to equal and fair treatment do?

Treated in accordance with the law and their needs. Everyone given the same opportunities.

What does the right to consultation do?

Individuals asked for their opinions and views about their care. Takes into account their preferences.

What are human rights?

The basic freedoms that belong to everyone for their whole lives. Apply regardless of characteristics. Built on values. Can be restricted but not taken away completely.

What is an ethical dilemma?

A situation in which a person faces a difficult choice between two or more actions, which has moral justifications but may also involve a conflict of values, duties or principles.

What are values of care?

Care principles that underpin care work. Aim to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality and ensure care needs are met.

What are positive actions?

Taking steps to support those with protected characteristics to overcome barriers to participation so they have the same chances as everyone else.

What three things does the values of care focus on?

1. Promoting equality and diversity. 2. Promoting individual rights and beliefs. 3. Maintaining confidentiality.

What are examples of promoting equality and diversity?

Access to services with reasonable adjustments made. Non-discriminatory language. Offering choice.

What are examples of promoting individual rights and beliefs?

All needs met. Ensuring dignity. Cultural and religious needs respected. Providing information.

What are examples of maintaining confidentiality?

Need to know basis. Kept securely. Gain consent to share.

What are the 9 values of care for children?

1. Making the welfare of children paramount. 2. Keeping children safe and maintaining a healthy environment. 3. Working in partnership with families. 4. Encouraging children's learning and development. 5. Valuing diversity. 6. Ensuring equality of opportunity. 7. Anti-discriminatory practice. 8. Maintaining confidentiality. 9. Working with other professionals.

What is a support network?

A group of people who provide advice, physical, financial and emotional assistance to an individual.

What is advocacy?

The act of supporting or arguing in favour of a cause, policy or individual.

What are the four types of advocacy?

Self advocacy. Peer advocacy. Professional advocacy. Statutory advocacy.

What can't an advocate do?

Give personal opinion. Solve problems and make decisions. Make judgements about you.

What can an advocate do?

Support to ask questions. Ensure all points are covered. Explain options. Keep you safe during meetings. Listen to views and concerns. Help explore options.

What are key points of the value of care: Making the welfare of children paramount?

Safeguarding procedures. Child's needs are first. DBS checks.

What are key points of the value of care: Keeping children safe and maintaining a healthy environment?

Security measures for access. PAT testing. Maintenance checks on equipment. Comfortable and safe environment.

What are key points of the value of care: Working in partnership with parents, guardians and families?

Successful and positive relationships. Inform on child's progress. Effective communication.

What are key points of the value of care: Encouraging children's learning and development?

Age and stage appropriate activities. Accessible resources. Holistic development.

What are key points of the value of care: Valuing diversity?

Resources that reflect society. Celebrating a range of cultures. Differences identified as positive.

What are key points of the value of care: Ensuring equality of opportunity?

Differentiated to meet needs. All areas are accessible. To learn and develop.

What are key points of the value of care: Anti-discriminatory practice?

Treated fairly. Discrimination challenged. Activities accessible. Inclusive behaviours.

What are key points of the value of care: Maintaining confidentiality?

Need to know basis, unless for safety reasons or consent has been received. Stored safely and securely.

What are key points of the value of care: Working with other professionals?

Openly but sensitively shared. Need to know basis. Shared with parents.

What is the definition of informal care?

Unpaid help given by family, friends or neighbours to someone who needs support due to age, illness or disability.

Why is informal care important?

Reduces pressure on the health system. Provides emotional comfort and familiarity. Saves money as there is no cost for care.

What are the benefits of informal care?

Strong emotional support. Flexible and adaptable. Cultural understanding as the carer knows the person's background.

What is direct discrimination?

Where someone is treated worse because they have a protected characteristic, they are perceived to have a protected characteristic, or they are associated with someone with protected characteristics.

What is indirect discrimination?

When there is a policy that applies in the same way for everybody but disadvantages a group of people who have a protected characteristic.

What are the five main types of abuse?

Neglect. Sexual. Verbal. Physical. Psychological.

What is the definition of physical abuse?

Any intentional act causing injury or trauma to another person through bodily contact.

Give signs of physical abuse

Bruising, cuts, burns, loss of hair in clumps. Subdued or changed behaviour in the presence of a specific person. No explanation for injuries or inconsistency with the account.

What is the definition of verbal abuse?

When a perpetrator uses words and non-physical actions to manipulate, hurt, scare or upset someone.

Give signs of verbal abuse

Low self-esteem. Isolation. Humiliation in front of others. Feeling as though the abuse is their fault.

What is the definition of psychological (emotional) abuse?

The perpetrator subjecting or exposing another person to a behaviour that may result in psychological trauma, such as anxiety, depression or PTSD.

Give signs of psychological abuse

An air of silence around a specific person. Insomnia. Withdrawal. Change of psychological state of person. Low self-esteem.

How to prove that indirect discrimination is happening?

The policy must be applied equally to everyone. The policy must disadvantage those with a protected characteristic. The organisation cannot show a good reason for the policy despite the disadvantages.

What is the definition of sexual abuse?

Abusive sexual behaviour by one person upon another, occurring without consent. Often perpetrated using physical force or by taking advantage.

Give signs of sexual abuse

Bleeding or pain in the genital area. Uncharacteristic use of sexual language or behaviour. Bruising, particularly to the thighs, buttocks, upper arms and marks on the neck.

What is the definition of neglect?

The persistent failure to meet a person's basic physical and/or psychological needs which can have serious consequences for their health and development.

Give signs of neglect

Poor environment — dirty or unhygienic. Poor physical condition and/or personal hygiene. Malnutrition and weight loss.

What is labelling?

The process of assigning a name or classification to a person based on their characteristics, behaviours or circumstances.

What are some negative impacts of labelling?

Stigma and discrimination — leads to unfair treatment. Self-fulfilling prophecy — acts out negative expectations.

What does NICE do?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence plays a major role in ensuring that HSC organisations deliver consistent, safe and high quality services. Uses research, expert opinions and national consultation to create guidance to meet needs. Evaluates effectiveness and cost-efficiency of treatments. Produces guidance and resources. Improves quality consistency. Promotes equal access to effective treatment.

How does NICE raise standards of care?

Evidence-based guidelines that explain what treatments, interventions or approaches work most effectively. Quality standards and performance measures.

What are the impacts of discriminatory practice on individuals?

Disempowerment. Low self-esteem and confidence. Unfair treatment. Mental health impacts. Poor health and wellbeing.

What is disempowerment?

Loss of power, control, or autonomy — feeling stripped of influence.

What is low self-esteem and confidence?

Negative view of one's own worth and a lack of belief in one's abilities.

What is unfair treatment?

Unjust, biased, or discriminatory actions toward someone.

What is mental health (as an impact of discrimination)?

Negative psychological effects caused by unjust, biased or discriminatory actions toward a person.

What is poor health and wellbeing?

Reduced physical, mental, or emotional state — low energy, illness, or neglect.

What is the definition of legislation?

A law or set of laws passed by parliament to serve as a legal framework to maintain order, protect rights, and regulate the conduct of individuals and organisations.

What is a policy?

A statement of intent adopted by organisations.

What is a procedure?

An established or official way of carrying out a policy.

What are the 6 main principles of the Care Act 2014?

1. Empowerment. 2. Prevention. 3. Proportionality. 4. Protection. 5. Partnership. 6. Accountability.

What is the Care Act 2014?

Sets out how adult social care should be provided. Requires local authorities to ensure there are services to prevent needs from worsening or delay the impact.

What are the four features of the Care Act 2014?

The wellbeing principle. Duty to assess. Personal budgets. Prevention and early intervention.

What is the feature the wellbeing principle under the Care Act?

Local authorities must promote individuals' wellbeing. Person-centred decisions.

What is the feature duty to assess under the Care Act?

Assess any adult who appears to have need for care and support. First step in checking eligibility.

What is the feature personal budgets under the Care Act?

Legal requirement on allocation of money to eligible individuals.

What is the feature prevention and early intervention under the Care Act?

Statutory duty to provide or arrange services that stop, delay or reduce the need for care or support.

What are the steps for assessment under the Care Act 2014?

1. Referral. 2. Assessment. 3. Determination of eligibility. 4. Support plan.

What are the 5 key aspects of the Care Act 2014?

1. No decision about me without me. 2. Clinical commissioning groups. 3. Health and wellbeing boards. 4. Public health. 5. Healthwatch.

What is the aspect no decision about me without me under the Care Act?

Guiding principle — patients are treated as partners. Patients able to choose their healthcare service and treatment.

What is the aspect clinical commissioning groups under the Care Act?

No direct duties — main responsibilities lie with local authorities. Co-operate with local authorities and promote the integration of care and support services.

What is the aspect health and wellbeing boards under the Care Act?

Bring HSC councillors together to promote joint working and tackle inequalities.

What is the aspect public health under the Care Act?

Increased focus on prevention. Local responsibilities for health services and population health improvement.

What is the aspect Healthwatch under the Care Act?

Independent service that gathers public feedback and communicates the views of patients.