Opportunity: This means that everyone should have the same opportunity in the treatment and care that they receive. By doing this means that no one is discriminated or not given an opportunity that others have. We make sure that all service users know about the opportunities available to them by bringing the information to your attention or in some cases involving health professionals in the care or treatment of the individual.
Stereotyping: This is when people are assumed to be something they’re not or behave in a certain way because of the way they look or the things they do. For example saying that all girls are bad drivers or that male nurses are gay. This means that people end up being discriminated against based on wrong assumptions which could then be a harmful and illegal practice.
Labelling: This is a form of discrimination. This is when people sum other people up by using a word or term. For example calling someone fat, ugly, weak or mean is labelling and can take away an individual’s identity. It’s important that people don’t get labelled by staff or other service users as it could cause people to lose their dignity causing them to be treated less well as a result.
Beliefs: This is the way we see things around us, our opinions and the way we feel about different things for example religion is part of our belief system because you belief in the things that your religion tells you. Beliefs are formed over many years and are very powerful in terms of the way they influence our behaviour towards others and also ourselves. In the health and social care setting we respect that every individual will have different beliefs and we make sure that there are no barriers for people when it comes to beliefs.
Racism: This is when someone is treated differently or unfairly because of their ethnicity or race by a member of staff or another service user. This behaviour should not be allowed or encouraged and should be reported. Everyone should have the right to be treated equally no matter their colour, race, religion or ethnicity.
Sexism: This is the same as racism but when people are treated differently or unfairly because of their gender. For example if someone was doing activities and wouldn’t let girls join in because it’s a man’s game or someone not wanting to work with a girl, this is seen as sexism. This is why in the health and social care settings we make sure that both males and females are treated equally and that they aren’t discriminated against.
Homophobia: A homosexual is someone who prefers people of the same sex as a partner and homophobia is when people have a fear of homosexuals and because of that they would treat them differently and even discriminate against them. In the health and social care setting we respect an individual’s choice of sexuality and treat them equally like we would with others aren’t homosexuals.
Health and social care settings
Residential care settings: This is when the service user might have to move into a residential care setting where they will share the accommodation with other people that may need the same care. This then allows them to be safe and secure environment that meets there care needs.
Individual rights
Able to communicate using their preferred methods of communication and language:
This right gives the service users the right to choose how they would like to communicate and what language they would like to use. For example if a service user has to use sign language to communicate then they should have the right to have a care worker that knows how to also use sign language. Another example would be if the service user doesn’t understand the carer when they speak in jargon then the care worker should use different methods that are preferred by the client.
Rights to be respected:
This right is to make sure that all service users are being respected and treated right by the care workers. An example of someone not being respected would be if a service user had to do things slowly and a care worker was getting angry and trying to rush them or do it themselves. This is showing no respect to the service user and could be seen as rude by the clients.
Treated equally and not discriminated against:
This right is to make sure that all service users are treated equally and aren’t being discriminated against their religion, race, age, disability or gender. An example of someone not being treated equally and discriminated against would be if there was an activities day planed for the service users and the carer would leave out someone who’s in a wheelchair because they think their disability would stop them from doing the activities. This could make the person in the wheelchair feel isolated and angry.
Treated as an individual:
This right makes sure that the service user’s individual needs are met. Everyone has different needs because we are all different. This means that carers have to respect that not all service users are going to require the same things, for example if a service user comes from a religion that doesn’t eat meat then the carer would have to make sure that there is something else in the list that isn’t meat and something that the service user can eat
Treated in a dignified way:
This right makes sure that all service users are being treated in a dignified and respectable way. An example of a care worker not treating a service user in a dignified way would be if the care worker told the service user to get changed but the service user wants to do it a bit later but isn’t given a choice because the worker starts changing her. The service user now has no dignity and is being ignored.
Allowed privacy:
This right is so that service users have privacy and that their personal information isn’t shared with everyone. Carers must keep the client’s information private and confidential at all times, for example if the client tells you something that happened to them that is a cause of concern then you should keep it private. Also if the service user doesn’t want you to be helped with getting changed because they feel uncomfortable then the carer should give them some privacy and leave them to get changed be themselves.
Protected from danger and harm:
This right makes sure that the service users aren’t in any danger or harm. Carers have to follow the health and safety regulations and report any dangerous abuse or exploitative behaviour from any of the service users or colleagues. An example of someone in danger or harm in a care setting would be if there was a care worker that would be abusive to a service user that was venerable.
Allowed access to information about themselves:
This right allows the service user to see their information when they want to. Service user might want to see their information because they want to know what information is held about them and to also correct any information that is wrong.
Cared for in a way that meets their needs:
This right makes sure that each service user is cared for in the way that meets their needs. Everyone has different needs so it’s important that carers know the individual needs of each client, an example of the different needs that clients might have are disabilities. If you are in a wheelchair you may need help getting around or if you can’t use your hands then you would need different care than some that doesn’t have a disability.
Takes account of their choices and protects them:
This right allows service users to have their own choices. Service users should know that if they don’t agree to something or don’t want to do something the care worker has said then they have the right to refuse or disagree. An example would be if a service user decides that they don’t want to take any or a certain medication then they shouldn’t be forced by the care worker. The care worker could explain to the service user why they should take them and try to protect them but if they don’t want to then they should be respected.
