Care value base

There are some terms that you must understand in relation to discrimination.

Discrimination is the result of stereotyping and prejudice.

Stereotyping

If you stereotype someone, you make assumptions about them based on their age, sex, race, nationality or sexuality. For example:

• French people love garlic
• Women are bad drivers
• Men are only interested in one thing

Prejudice

This means liking or disliking someone not because of who they are, but because of how you feel about their lifestyle or background. It is important accept their responsibility to ensure that prejudice doesn't affect the quality of care given to clients

It means providing different care (better or worse) to some people because they are of a particular group, like Asian people, lesbians and gays, or older people

                        Race                                                        Disability

The major forms of discrimination

     

   Sex                                                                           Age

 2. Fostering rights and responsibilities

Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand

You must support the right of a client to choose their own lifestyle AND help them to accept their responsibilities.

• Your client has the right to eat unhealthy food, but you need to tell them about the health risks so they can take responsibility for their choice.  
• Your client has the right to smoke, but they must accept their responsibilities to other people who do not wish to be affected by passive smoking

Rights and responsibilities are often laid down in legislation, codes of practice and policy documents. As a carer, you need to make sure that your clients are aware of their rights and responsibilities in care settings.

Clients have a right to:

• Not be discriminated against
• Confidentiality
• Their own beliefs and values

Clients have a responsibility to:

• Not discriminate against others
• Respect the confidentiality of others
• Do no harm to others

3. Confidentiality of information 

This means that any information clients give you must be private and confidential, whether it is:

• Verbal 
• Written 
• Electronic (on a computer)

You need to be aware of what you say to other carers and clients and also who has access to client files.

Maintaining confidentiality of information is an important part of caring. You need to think carefully before you talk about your colleagues and clients, and ask yourself whether this person really needs to know what you're about to tell them. Clients can expect you not to discuss their details with anyone else without their consent and they won't trust or respect you if you do.

There are times when you need to share confidential information, for example when a client may be a danger to themselves or others

Whenever possible, health and social care professionals must respect their client's right to keep certain information private.

There are also legal requirements to keep personal records confidential.

The 1998 Data Protection Act states that data has to be secure, accurate and that it can only be used for limited purposes

Think about the steps that you would take to you protect confidentiality in the following scenarios.

Using a computer for saving files

or for communication by e-mail                                 Written documentation

A phone call                                          Storing files in a filing cabinet

In Summary

The care value base was developed to improve clients' quality of life by setting standards and guiding professional practice in health and social care.

Fostering equality and diversity means recognising that each person has their own individual needs. It also means working to meet those needs.

Fostering rights and responsibilities recognises people's rights, but also stresses that we all have responsibilities towards others. 

The need to maintain confidentiality of client information protect the client's right to have personal information kept private.