EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

WHY WE ARE NOT ALL EQUAL

I am not equal to the Prime Minister. I don’t like it, I reckon I’d do a much better job, but it’s a fact.

Why not….

POWER AND INFLUENCE!!!

This is not just true of the rulers in our country. It may not be explicit but there are power dynamics everywhere.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE POWER OVER ME ARE:

The Police

My boss

My children (when they decide no one is sleeping tonight)

The Inland Revenue

PEOPLE I HAVE POWER OVER ARE:

My children who depend on me for warmth, food and love

People less senior to me at work

Clients in my care

My other half when he wants something

HOW ARE WE EQUAL?

There is legislation set out that protects specific rights we have as individuals.

Human Rights Act 1998

Data Protection Act 1984 and 1998/ Freedom of Information Act 2000

There is legislation that further protects groups of people i.e the disabled, the mentally ill, children

Children Act 1989 and the 2004 amendment

UN Convention on Children's Rights 1989

Protection of Children Act 1999/ Leaving Care Act 2000/ Adoption and Children Act 2002

Education Acts 1921, 1944, 1970, 1981, 1988, 2002

Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001

 Race Relations Act 1976 and Race Relations (Amendments) Act 2000 and 2003

Mental Health Act 1983 and 2007 amended Act

Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and 1986

I haven’t listed all the legislation as there is a vast amount of it.

WHAT’S MY ROLE?

It is unlikely that I will fully overcome the power and influence the Prime Minister has on me, through his decision making. There are things that I can make use of however, to bridge the gap slightly.

I can vote

I can complain about services

I can exercise my Human Rights, through the courts if necessary

Our role is to bridge the gap for our clients. All Health and Social Care Organisations should have policies that explain how legislation that protects our clients is implemented in the work place.

I.e. The Data protection Act protects individual’s confidentiality. We can’t share client information to unauthorised people.

You should have a Data Protection policy in your workplace. You should also have implemented the policy through systems I.e. storing of records.

WHERE DOES DIVERSITY COME IN?

Under the conditions of the Human rights Act, we all have the right to choose our religion, Education, raise our family as we choose etc. AS LONG AS we are not imposing on other people’s rights.

 I.e. Starving a child imposes on their rights to life and to food which supersedes a family’s right to raise their family as they wish.

Our role is to

Accept difference whether this is in race, religion or some other way

Challenge those who do not respect other’s rights

Use policy and legislation to uphold others rights and to try and bridge the explicit and the non- explicit power gaps.

NEXT TIME: Person centred planning

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