The care worker needs to recognize that many of the problems that may arise are due to discrimination. Discrimination is the unequal treatment of an individual or group. It is based on prejudice towards people

Introduction

The concept of equal opportunities is a principle of democratic society. There is the

common belief that everyone has an equal chance to achieve their potential and equal access to health, education and job opportunities. The equality of opportunities also tries to minimize disadvantages that an individual or a group may experience due to their social status, gender, sex orientation, religion etc…

Anti discriminatory practice challenges people’s values and assumptions.

As future care workers it is vital that we develop a clear understanding of prejudice and discrimination, so we can challenge all the barriers that we may find in our ways.

The care worker needs to recognize that many of the problems that may arise are due to discrimination.

Discrimination is the unequal treatment of an individual or group. It is based on prejudice towards people who are seen as different. Prejudice is learned from picking up negative attitudes from our families, circle of friends and society in general. Sometimes the media plays an important part on our way of viewing things.

Prejudice occurs when people has a preconceived opinion towards individuals or group of people for whatever the reason. Prejudices are often irrational and negative attitudes based on fear or lack of knowledge.

As part of a society we internalize the group values and norms so, in a way, most of our prejudices are “inherited”.

Equal Opportunities

There are three forms of equality: formal equality, equality of opportunity and equality of outcomes. Their definition is as follows:

Formal Equality is a principle that views everyone in society as equal. We are all born with the same rights to receive equal treatment by administrative, legal and political institutions.

Equality of Opportunity is a principle of democratic society of everyone having an equal chance of achieving their own potential. Under this ...

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As part of a society we internalize the group values and norms so, in a way, most of our prejudices are “inherited”.

Equal Opportunities

There are three forms of equality: formal equality, equality of opportunity and equality of outcomes. Their definition is as follows:

Formal Equality is a principle that views everyone in society as equal. We are all born with the same rights to receive equal treatment by administrative, legal and political institutions.

Equality of Opportunity is a principle of democratic society of everyone having an equal chance of achieving their own potential. Under this principle society provides an equal access to education, health treatments and job opportunities. It also attempts to reduce any disadvantage that individuals or group may experience because their gender, sexual orientation, social status, culture etc.

Equality of Outcomes refers to the principle that ensures that the individual obtains an equal share of society’s benefits like for example, equal health treatment, housing, employment etc.

Anti-discriminatory Practice

Anti-discriminatory practice can be described in a simple way as good practice. Is an approach that aims to reduce and challenge discrimination.

Anti-discriminatory practice involves the following elements:

Challenging discriminatory practice and discrimination within organisations
Knowledge of our personal prejudice and knowing how to overcome it
Avoiding cultural stereotypes and assumptions that can devalue people
Identify individual needs
Encourage independence
Beware of prejudice language that can reinforce negative attitudes and stereotypes

A care worker can promote anti-discriminatory practice by:

Respecting individual’s personal beliefs and supporting individual’s choices
Encouraging Independence, Privacy, Dignity and Confidentiality
Ensuring equality of opportunity and access to information
Help the service user to make decisions
Have knowledge of cultural and religious differences to help the service user to feel integrate in the care setting

Examples of anti-discriminatory practice:

Meals provided until late for Muslim patients in a hospital ward during Ramadan.

Ensuring the same level of privacy, dignity and respect towards the service user is maintained when working with elderly mentally infirm.

An individual from an ethnic minority visiting a day centre gets a say in the daily activities he would like to take part, when disguising the new term plan.

The Manager in a nursing home introduces a warning system for carers that use discriminatory language.

General Strategies

Some of the general strategies that a Care Home may use to promote Equal Opportunities could be:

We should have an equal opportunities policy that it would be passing on to the staff through an induction. It should be written in a clear, concise way.
The policy should be revised regularly to make sure is up to date with the current legislation e.g. Race relation Act 1976, Sex Discrimination Acts 1975 and 1986, etc.

There should be ongoing training for all the staff and not just an induction when you start work

All this strategies need to be monitored by the Manager, to make sure that there are taking place. Also need to take further notice if the staff wasn’t following the rules.

Should have a periodically Feedback from the Service Users were they could express their feeling and further needs.

Specific strategies

Some of the specific strategies that a Care Home may use to promote anti discriminatory practice might be:

Encourage residents to take decisions and take their own choices of food, clothing, activities that they want to do etc…

Ensure that dignity and privacy is always maintained, and that both residents and staff are treated in a respectful manner.

Give the residents the right to choose a carer of their own gender to minimize the trauma when entering care.

Be aware of religious and cultural differences, and provide the staff with the right information if needed e.g. what is Halal foods? What means being Vegetarian?

Set up a residents committee, were they could feedback to the Manager any changes they would like to be done.

Ensure that the language used in the daily practice is always respectful towards everyone within the care setting, avoiding discriminatory language e.g. hen, doll etc.