Topic 1.1 - Diversity

Diversity

It is the range of human differences including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious and political beliefs.

Culture

Way of life of an individual

Examples of special dietary requirements

Health issues, allergies, religious beliefs, lifestyle

General ways to support diversity in health and social care settings

• Be aware of the individual’s situation

• Do not assume anything about the individual

• Provide choiTreat people as individuals 

• ces and options

• Put in place any adaptations necessary 

• Treat everyone fairly

Inclusion

The practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded

Ways to support age in health care settings

• use of jargon

• GP should use language that children can understand

Ways to support age in social care settings

• Talk in a slower pace when speaking to the elderly

• No patronising

Ways to support cultural differences in health care settings

• Female doctors for women who wear hijab

• Provide interpreter services

• Listen to patients’ needs and beliefs

Ways to support cultural differences in social care settings

• Listen to patients’ needs and beliefs

• Offer different selections of food

• Hire diverse staff

Ways to support disabilities in health care settings

• Accessible facilities e.g. ramps for wheelchair users, wide chairs

• Speak directly to the person with disability not their companion or interpreter

• No patronising

Ways to support disability in social care settings

• Person centered care provided based on their needs e.g. People with visual impairment should have access to braille 

• Speak directly to the person not their companion

• Train staff to provide care without stigma

Ways to support dress types in health care settings

• Being allowed to wear a religious wear or symbol as a service provider

Ways to support dress types in social care settings

• Do not force service users to wear anything they do not feel comfortable in

Ways to support ethnicity in health care settings

• Respect diversity e.g. providing interpreters to help communication

Ways to support ethnicity in social care settings

• Do not make assumptions of needs based on their ethnicity in youth clubs etc.

Ways to support race in health care settings

• Monitor health care trends and disparities of different races

• Embed anti-racism through policy

Ways to support race in social care settings

• Celebrate cultural diversities in care homes by including traditional foods or celebrating traditional festivals

• Make sure that staff are continuously trained on anti-racism

Ways to support education in health care settings

• Clear instructions on how to navigate a hospital

• Provide an advocate for those who need it

• No use of jargon when passing on information

Ways to support education in social care settings

• Homeless shelter accepting anyone regardless of their educational background

• Staff should be trained to anti-discriminate those who are illiterate

• Social services department provide information in simple form for people with learning difficulties

Ways to support family structure in health care settings

• Use clear, jargon-free language to ensure families understand treatment plans and condition

• Provide service regardless of family structure

Ways to support family structure in social care settings

• Support children of separated families in school

• Provide food regardless of family structure

Ways to support food or special dietary requirements in health care settings

• Different medicines options e.g. dietary supplements, medical foods, medical tailored meals etc. 

Ways to support food or special dietary requirements in social care settings

• Provide multiple  food options to consider people with special requirements like allergies

Ways to support language in health care settings

• Provide translators

• Provide information in different languages

Ways to support language in social care settings

• Provide special considerations for people with medical conditions e.g. braille, picture cards

• Provide interpreters or translators

Ways to support music in health care settings

• Playing calm music in waiting rooms and surgery rooms

• Avoid playing music that can be perceived as offensive

Ways to support music in social care settings

• Playing nostalgic music to support dementia patients

• Not playing loud music in residential homes as it can damage their ears or cause more severe situations like a shock

Ways to support religion or belief in health care settings

• Food provided should meet the service user religion requirements e.g. Muslims can’t eat meat

• Muslim women should be allowed to choose or request a female doctor

Ways to support religion or belief in social care settings

• Food available for sunset after Muslims

• Provide a place where Muslims can pray

• Muslim women should be provided a hijab or a place away from men

Ways to support gender/gender reassignment in health care settings

• Equal rights and pay for both mean and women

Ways to support gender/gender reassignment in social care settings

• Using appropriate gender neutral pronouns

Ways to support sexuality and sexual orientation in health care settings

• Having specialist sessions for the LGBTQ+

• Train staff to not sexually discriminate 

Ways to support sexuality and sexual orientation in social care settings

• Train residents on sexual orientation

• Express acceptance and provide support e.g. celebrating pride month