Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Discrimination in Health and Social Care

This article discusses the concepts of equality, diversity, inclusion and discrimination in health and social care. It explains how to promote these concepts and support others in doing so. It also summarizes the relevant legislation and codes of practice. The role of health and social care practitioners in meeting individual needs through inclusive practice is evaluated.

1.1 D1 "Define the terms."
"Equality"
Equality is essentially justice: individuals must confirm that individuals or groups are not treated
less fairly because of the protection of their status (Chakravarthi, 2020).
"Diversity"
Diversity is recognising, respecting and celebrating each other's differences. Different places
have different origins and concepts, leading to a strong culture of creativity and innovation
(Tooth and Viles, 2021).
"Inclusion"
Inclusion means creating an environment where everyone feels accepted and respected. Only
when they are more aware of their ignorant tendencies and learn to cope with them can they
create an inclusive environment (Haq et al., 2020).
"Discrimination"
Discrimination is unfair discrimination against people based on other groups, classes or
categories to which they belong or are believed to belong. People can be discriminated against
based on "race", "gender", "age", "religion", or "sexual orientation" and other categories (Kabat-
Farr, Settles and Cortina, 2020).
D1 achieved – references cited in the Bibliography
1.2 C1 "Explain How Rights Are Promoted in Health and Social Care Services"

Employees should promote equality, diversity and daily work by implementing diversity and
equality, and following appropriate policies and procedures. They need to understand that
everyone is different, and therefore they must respect each other's views and not be prejudiced in
the name of social values (Scott, 2020). They must believe that racism must be eradicated
because everyone has faith, and people must be judged.
The right to privacy This right has been promoted in health and
care within keeping confidentiality of patient.
In accordance with this right, the medical
information related to patient condition should
not be discloses in front of anyone.
The right to dignity This is concerned with assuring treatment to
patient within ensuring value and respect to
patient. The patient must assure care and
dignity by the service providers. Instead of
judging patient on the basis of their caste and
religion. Same dignity has to be provided to
client.
The right to make choices Clients are free to make choice in context of
discussing over the issues that are facing by
them. There may be situation arise when case
manager does not assure effective focus over
needs of patient, at that time with the help of
this right the client can make appeal in terms
of changing case manager
The right to independence This right has been promoted in healthcare
within focusing over making patient
independent so, the patient can become able to
focus on themselves. This has been done so,
patient completely not depend over service
provider.
The right to autonomy This right is concerned with informing patient
about the procedure of treatment that has been
used for them. Clients must be aware about

their medical terms therefore, this right has
been implemented in healthcare.
The right to your religion This refers to the religious right in which,
patient who are on a treatment phase has right
to follow their religion and no discrimination
should be performed in healthcare on the basis
of religion.
The right to make decisions This right is concerned with the scenario in
which patient can take decision after having
suggestion and guidance from healthcare
professionals. This right enable client to take
decision for their betterment.
(Spratt & et.al. (2018).
1.3 B1 "Discuss Ethical Dilemmas That May Arise When Balancing Individuals Rights
and Duty of Care"
When working in the health and social care system, people need to understand the concept and
decision-making related to ethics and the ethical connections between health and social work.
The balance between human rights and caring can raise ethical issues in health and social care:
A potential dilemma may be that sometimes individuals may wish to do something that may
endanger their health and safety, so practitioners have to respect individual rights and choices to
provide them with autonomy but with certain limits. Also, if practitioner prevent someone from
cooking or drinking it is because they do not want the happening of any uncertain situation,
indicating that practitioners are depriving them of some of their independence. If individuals and
families want them to run the business but feel it is unsafe, then there will be conflicts between
practitioners and individual families. (Bates, Thomas and Timming, 2020).
For example: A patient who is have diabetes and wants to eat the food which is consist of high
calories that may impact the blood pressure of patient. In such situation, practitioner has to make
focus over this and guidance has to be given to the client. However, right to make choice enable
patient to make choice. But, there are certain limitation over this as such choices that can impact

health of patient are not acceptable. Therefore, in such situation practitioner discuss with the
family of individual and evaluate them disadvantages of eating such food that can impact the
health of patient:
Example2: A patient wants to do smoking. This is personal choice of patient on which
practitioner cannot stop patient. However, smoking leads to make patient condition more worse.
In such situation, service provides puts certain limitation over the choices of patient. Discussion
regarding this has been made with the patient family and major threat from smoking that can
impact patient has been discussed to them and limitation over the choice of patient has been put.
This has been done only in that situations, where the choices of patient creates harm towards the
medical terms of patient.
2.1 C2 "Explain How to Promote Equality and Support Diversity."
Employees can promote equality and diversity in many ways within the health and social care
settings (Thompson, 2020). This can be done by setting the rules and regulations regarding the
avoidance of stereotypes and creating an inclusive environment that encourage staff’s equality
and fair treatment. The health and social care settings emphasis on the exclusion of racism,
homophobia, or bullying someone because of a disability, and actively challenge gender
stereotypes and other concerns.
Equity and diversity are the major attributes of healthcare that assure effective delivering
of services to all clients in equal manner. Diversity means inclusion of all. Thus, it states that, in
health and social care, people from all background or religion has to be involved and the
treatment needs to be ensured to them. Currently, healthcare department is not limited to
providing treatment to patient. However, it has become wider scope that is consists with

performing social values as well. Therefore, equity and diversity plays crucial role as it provides
assurance in relation of providing equal treatment to all patients. In healthcare department there
are large number of patients who seeks for treatment they are concerned with different
background and religion. Thus, all of them needs to be treated in equal manner so, the sense of
belongingness can be generated in client and this directly assure impact over the therapy of
patients.
Therefore, it is highly important that in organization equity and diversity has to be promoted and
this can be done within implementing effective policies such and penalties over not following
policies. Within taking equity act 2010 in consideration the policies needs to be formulated in
health and social care. The health and social care department practice this within adopting and
performing the concept of equity towards all people rather than being judgemental on the basis
of caste and religion of people.
(Aslınur, (2021).
2.2 B2"Describe How to Challenge Those Not Working Inclusively in A Way That
Promotes Change."
"There Are Three Things Authority Can Do":
 Makes complain directly to the organization or person.
 Use someone who can help in solving this such as, mediation or alternative dispute
resolution.
 Afterwards, Make a claim in the court or in tribunal.
 Authority needs more than one of these options. On the other hand, the authorities could
have tried them repeatedly. If the authorities cannot resolve the problem with their
employers, they may seek employment in the court (Kabat-Farr, Settles and Cortina,

2020). Please note that if the authorities decide to go to a labor court, they must inform
them of the request (by filling in a form) within three months (24 hours) of the event
(Kim, 2020). The authorities do not have to contact the employer before going to court,
but for two reasons:
Employee must talk with their employer in context of this and if no action has been taken by
employer then, the higher action needs to be taken within making appeal in court or tribunal
Often, employee may take a claim as employment tribunal for facing discrimination.
Making a complaint can take time and emotions. Therefore, before starting the process, officials
can check whether the authorities have a high chance of success. The authorities may also want
to see if there is a better way to deal with these complaints. The authorities should carefully
consider whether it is right to seek a professional court (Gagnon, Augustin and Cukier, 2021). If
the authorities did not use the employer complaints process to resolve disputes they will have to
face severe consequences until the authorities went to the labor court and dealt with the
complexed cases. In this case, if the arbitral tribunal finds that the institution has failed, it may
reduce the employer's quarterly taxes (Kabat-Farr, Settles and Cortina, 2020).
2.3 B2 "Explain How to Support Others in Promoting Equality and Rights."
Pay personal attention to the person and work without judgments as it supports other in
promoting equality and rights. Employees should be encouraged to value diversity and respect
the qualities that make people different. The maintenance plan should be designed to reflect what
they like, dislike, personal history and opinions (Chakravarthi, 2020). Promoting equality and
diversity contributes to valuing people and giving them equal access to all opportunities,
regardless of their circumstances.

Assuring personal care centered care and treating client without any judgement is best way in
terms of supporting other and promoting equity. Also, the focus has to assure on developing the
individual within including all patient collectively. The discussion regarding importance of
promoting equity and diversity has to be made. As these are the important attributes that plays
vital role in enhancing self-ability and self-confidence in an individual. Often, it assures higher
morale and value in individual. Thus, this can be supported with assuring equal and same
treatment to all individuals.
(Webb, (2018).
3.1 D2 "Summaries Legislation and Codes of Practice Relating to Equality, Diversity,
Inclusion and Discrimination."
Written Summary of Current Legislation and Codes of Practice Relevant to Equality, Diversity,
Inclusion and Discrimination
" Equality Act 2010" The “Equality Act 2010" states that unfair
treatment of individuals due to disputes is
illegal. This legislation amended the old anti-
racism law with a single bill to simplify the
law and eliminate inconsistencies (Haq et al.,
2020).
"Human Rights Act 1998" The "Human Rights Act 1998" states that
everyone in the United Kingdom has the right
to all their rights and freedoms. The rights are
concerned with, right to freedom, right to
speak and so on. In case, these rights are taken
away then, appeal can be made in higher

authorities.
"Mental Capacity Act 2005" The "Mental Capacity Act 2005" covers the
protection of people who cannot make their
own decisions (Tooth and Viles, 2021). The
major five principles are presumption of
capacity, unwise decision, Best interest of
patient, less restrictive option and individual
gets support in terms of making their own
choice of decision.
"The Care Act 2014" The "Care Act 2014" is a comprehensive law,
but the well-being of individuals depends on
the nursing system, including respect for and
respect for their values, opinions, wishes and
interests (Kim, 2020). Care act is concerned
with ensuring same care or treatment to all
patient. In this manner, it supports equality.
"The Data Protection Act 2018" "Data Protection Act 2018" and general
privacy rules - information about individuals
must be properly collected and processed and
their rights protected (Kabat-Farr, Settles and
Cortina, 2020). This protects service users
rights to privacy.
Unicefs Convention on the rights of the Child This is concerned with the main four
principles and those are, Non-discrimination
among the children, focusing over the best
interest of children, the right towards the
survival and development of child and the
views of child.
The Health and Social Care Act Health and social care act 2012 in UK is
concerned with the major themes of assuring
effective services to patient along with
performing the major attributes of equity and
diversity.
The Code of Practice In UK, the code of practice is highly

important it suggests the standards of
professional practices that has to be
performed and adopted by all practitioners.
This includes, providing care services within
performing all policies and not assuring
discrimination towards patients.
(Gasanova and et.al.. (2022).
The Code of Practice for Equality, Diversity and Discrimination is:
• Code of Practice on "Equal Pay"
• Code of Practice on "Employment"
• Code of Practice on "Services", "Public Functions" and "Associations"
4.1 "Evaluate The Role of the Health and Social Care Practitioner in Meeting Individuals
Needs Through Inclusive Practice."
Inclusion refers to giving patient and employees a support that helps them to receive and provide
high quality of services in healthcare, furthermore, it leads to increase diverse healthcare staff
and creates the sense of morals in employees and patient. Also, the major motive of this is to
include all individual in care services. The caste, religion, background and so on elements leads
to hinder the process of equality in healthcare. Thus, concept of inclusion helps in involving all
individuals and same treatment has been given to all patient. It is highly important to work in
inclusive manner as it leads to assure higher values to patient and staff as well. When the person
is included then, it helps in establishing effective interaction.
In similar manner in healthcare, inclusive practices helps in implementing effective relationship
among patient and practitioner. Here are the major pros and cons of inclusive practices.
Pros

 Helps in maintaining diversity and equity.
 Develops effective interaction among the practitioner and patients.
 Creates higher values in patient
 Helps in generating effective structure in organization.
Cons
 Less experience of inclusive settings
 Lack of participation by all people
 Attitudinal barrier of people
(Ponton, (2018).
For the health and social work environment, inclusion can lead to the organisation’s satisfaction
and commitment. This, in turn, increases productivity as well as efficiency and collaboration.
Service users can enjoy thinking about their needs and designing services so that people can
access, inform and support the service and improve their self-help skills. It can improve health
and well-being, reduce discrimination and increase inclusion (Phipps, 2020).
When dealing with disadvantaged adults, they must protect their rights; whether the proposed
operation or treatment is likely to be harmful to humans must be considered in favor and against.
Cancer patients are often advised to receive chemotherapy or radiation. Both treatments have
serious side effects, but the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.
Staff shall ensure that the facility protects vulnerable adults; sometimes, an individual's actions
or behavior can harm other organisation members (Thompson, 2020). A person with anger
problems can become violent towards others. If so, the company's policies and procedures should
be followed if anyone adopts a conduct that could result in self-harm or other serious harm.

Empowering people means ensuring that they have enough information to make informed
decisions about decisions that may affect their quality of life (Gagnon, Augustin and Cukier,
2021).
Concept of inclusive practice
Inclusive practice in health and social care has been determined as most important concept as it
helps in providing equal treatment from all aspect. These practices are just not limited to
providing effective services to patient it is a wider concept that involves assuring respect, values
and morals to patients. From practitioner point's of view these practices also enable them to
assure same level of treatment to their patients along with performing the social values towards
them. Thus, in health and social care, it is highly important to create inclusive environment as it
provides assurance of performing equity and diversity elements in organization. Also, helps in
reducing the extent of discrimination among the people.
Role and responsibility of practitioner in relation of inclusive practice
The practitioners are accountable in terms of managing concept of inclusive practices as they
generate inclusive environment. As a result, patient gets influence and become familiar with that
environment. The major roles and responsibilities of practitioner in context of inclusive practices
are:
 Promoting equity among all clients is one of the major responsibility that has been
performed by service provider under inclusive practices. Practitioner creates sense under
the patients that, they are getting same treatment.
 Maintaining diversity within including all members is one of the role that has been played
by practitioner. This further helps in creating an environment in which all patient
becomes familiar with each other.

 Practitioner makes a keen focus over observing that, no discrimination takes place in
organization. Often, there is a situation where client faces situation of bullying , this is
responsibility of practitioner that they assure focus over this and takes actions.
Factors that enables inclusive practice
Effective relationship among staff, people and who uses services are the base that helps in
enabling inclusive practices. Furthermore, families of patients are also considered as on of the
major element that helps in establishing inclusive practices. The thoughts and opinion of staff
also enable inclusive practices. For example; The staff is consists of those members who are
highly conscious about inclusive concept then, in such organization, effective inclusion practices
has been assured. Thus, the belief, faith and opinions are the vital factors that enables inclusive
practices.
Challenges coming in inclusive practice
The major challenges that comes under inclusive practices are concerned with personal, physical
and emotional barriers. For example: In healthcare, inclusive practices has been performed in
effective manner. However, patient who have physical disability are willing to involve in
activities but they are not able to involve. Thus, in this manner the challenges has been created.
Also, personal issues among staff leads to work as a barrier. Moreover, emotional parameter in
patient affect the level of inclusion by them in any activity. Therefore, the strategies under
inclusive practices has to be made on the basis of requirement of patients.
(Borkett, (2020).

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