Topic 1

Equality, diversity and rights

Diversity

Aims to respect and value people’s differenced to promote inclusion - everyone should be able to make a contribution.

Give 5 ways diversity can take form.

Race, disability, religion, age and sexuality.

How can children be affected in health and social care?

As children are still developing, they have different needs compared to adults and therefore, hospitals have a paediatric department - specialises needs of children.

There are also other specialised services for children and young people - CAHMS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) which helps people struggling with their mental health.

How are working-age adults treated in H&SC?

Usually supported by general health and social care services, by things like GP services. Adult social services departments may be needed if the individual had a disability or condition which impacts their day-to-day life, rather than based on age.

How are older people treated in H&SC?

As they are more likely to suffer from ill health, they are more likely to stay in the hospital for longer and have geriatric medicine.

Mainly have arranged carers to support them in their own homes.

How does cultural differences impact H&SC?

As culture can change the decisions based on things such as religion, values and social norms. Workers have to be more considerate when treating people and making sure everyone is treated with equality.

What do workers in H&SC have to consider due to cultural differences?

Developing personalised care plans

Translation and interpreter services based on language barriers

Cultural competence training for staff to make sure all cultural identities are respected and reducing the risk of discrimination involuntarily.

What does “culture” mean?

Refers to the way of life of an individual.

Disability

When an impairment makes it harder for a person to carry out daily activities. This impairment can be physical, mental, sensory or cognitive.

How can you support people with disabilities in H&SC?

Having building made accessible with ramps

Sensory disabilities can be considered using large print, audio and Braille

Signers can help deaf people communicate

Equipment (like hoists) will support people

Activities can be tailored to different cognitive abilities so that everyone can take part

How can people dressing different impact H&SC?

Due to different religions and cultures, people may wear different things.

Muslim woman has a head covering to represent modesty

A hijab.

Jewish man has a small cap over their skull during prayer

A kipper

How can ethnicity affect H&SC?

As there can be a language barrier

People from the same ethnicity don’t necessarily share physical traits or genetic markers

People from certain ethnic backgrounds can be more prone to diseases

diseases common in white people

Skin and lung cancer

disease common in African or Caribbean backgrounds in the UK?

Sickle cell disease

Childless

Adults in a relationship, but no children.

Nuclear family

Mother, father and children.

Extended family

Same a nuclear family, plus grandparents, aunts, cousins, uncles etc.

Lone parent

A child and one parent.

Same-sex parents

Both parents of the same sex

Blended family

A family with two adults, any children they have had together and one or more children from previous relationships.

Shared care?

The child spends time with each parents at their different homes and the parents share the responsibilities for care.

Foster family

Children that are looked after by people who are not with their birth parents.

How does education affect H&SC?

As people have different levels of education - impacts their health due to different financial incomes.

People with lower levels of education may suffer from more illnesses due to less access to nutritional food and healthy activities.

People may have lower levels of education due to intellectual abilities, the opportunity to attend school and whether or not they decide to do further education.

Discrimination

When people judge others based on their differences, and uses differences to create disadvantage or oppression.

Prejudice

A negative attitude or dislike of an individual/group, often based on ill-informed personal opinion about one of the characteristics.

stereotyping

Where generalisations (often offensive and exaggerated) are made about a particular group of people, such at homeless people.

labelling.

A negative approach that identifies people as members of a particular group, with the assumption that they are “all the same”

bullying.

Involves threatening, intimidating, humiliating, or frightening others; it is repeated behaviour intended to physically or psychologically hurt someone. It is more likely to occur in situations where someone is in a position of power, such as a manager.

abuse.

Refers to a negative and harmful way of behaving towards another individual or a certain group of people.

direct discrimination.

Involves intentionally putting someone at a disadvantage/treating them unfairly based on their differences.

indirect discrimination.

Where a policy, practice or rule applies to everybody but has a detrimental effect on or, disadvantages some people in a particular group.

unintentional discrimination.

When discrimination occurs due to subconscious bias.

discriminatory practices.

Treating someone unfairly/less favourably compares to others.

Who does discrimination against race, culture or ethnicity happen to?

People who belong to the same ethnic/cultural group, practice a particular religion, or belong to a certain race.

Give an example of racial discrimination.

If treatments and support offered in hospitals aren’t always equal for people belonging to different racial and ethnic groups.

Age discriminatory practices.

Being discriminated against because of their age, despite being an ageing society.

Give an example of age being of a discriminatory practice.

Older people being confused by technology.

Disability discriminatory practice.

A physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on a person’s ability to do normal daily activities.

Visible disabilities - example

Being in a wheelchair

Invisible disabilities

People can have disabilities without others knowing

Invisible disability - example

Crohn’s disease

Gender discriminatory practice

When someone is treated less favourably because of their gender- (men, women, non-binary or transgender individuals)

Gender discrimination - example

Men may receive less support for mental health issues because it is presumed that men can cope better.

Socio-economic background discriminatory practices

Being placed at a disadvantage compared to others based on finances.

Socio-economic background discrimination - example

Mobile health screening services may not operate in areas of a city where most of the population is in a lower socio-economic group.

Sexual orientation discriminatory practice

When people are mistreated based on who they are attracted to.

What are the types of abuse?

Physical, verbal, neglect, financial, and psychological.

Physical abuse

When someone causes physical pain or threatens to harm someone.

Verbal abuse

Includes name-calling, insults, or swearing to attempt to humiliate someone/reduce their dignity or security.

Psychological/mental abuse

Threats and constant criticism - aims to undermine and control a person by putting them down and making them feel unworthy and or useless.

Neglect

When a carer fails to care for someone properly, and their needs aren’t being met.

Neglect - example

A doctor doesn’t give medication on time.

Financial abuse

Misusing someone else’s money or property

Financial abuse - example

Keeping the change after shopping for someone

Patronising

Acting superior to someone and treating them as less capable or intelligent

Patronising - example

Talking slower than necessary

Impact of discrimination on individuals

Physical, intellectual, Emotional, Social and financial.

Disempowerment - impact of discrimination

When an individual loses control over their life and is unable to make their own decisions.

Fear - impact of discrimination

Maybe worried about being physically harmed/not believed if they spoke up.

Illness - impact of discrimination

Not treated properly/stress related issues

Injury - impact of discrimination

Can trigger mental health issues and trigger self harm

Low self-confidence - impact of discrimination

A person’s belief in themselves can cause them to not challenge themselves anymore

Low self-esteem - impact of discrimination

How much a person likes and respects themselves

Physical harm - impact of discrimination

Intentional physical harm, such as injuries from rough handling

Poor physical health - impact of discrimination

Caused by a lack of access to appropriate health care.