UNIT 3
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN WORK WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE.

1. UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY IN WORK WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE.
1.1 Identify the current legislation and codes of practice relevant to the promotion of equality and valuing of diversity.
Equality - state of being equal: rights, treatment, quantity, or value equal to all others in a specific group, evenly balanced. Creating a fairer society, where everyone can participate and has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
Diversity - means simply '' difference ''. A variety of something such as opinion, color, or style. Social inclusiveness: ethnic variety, as well as socioeconomic and gender variety, in a group, society, or institution. Discrepancy: discrepancy, or a difference from what is normal or expected. (Bing dictionary). Is when it is used as a contrast or addition to equality, it is about recognizing individual as well as a group differences, treating people as individuals, and placing positive value on diversity in the community and in the workforce. We can easily name quite a few current legislations and codes of practice that are related to equality and diversity.
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 1995 AND 2005, also now replaced by Equality Act 2010 - it says that it is not right, and against the law, to discriminate any disabled person in relation to employment, schools, shopping, providing any services, public transport ( for example banning guide dogs), it eliminates barriers to make sure every disabled person get equal access to services.
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITY ACT 2001 - it is against discriminating anyone with learning difficulties or disabilities at school and any other educational institution. Education providers which are teachers, teaching assistants and other people involved in teaching children and young people, have to adapt the needs of the children with SEN, so they are not feeling excluded.
UNITED NATION CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD, UNCRC 1989 - In 1989, the world's leaders formally accepted the human rights of the children and young people under 18 years old, and signed the UNCRC Act. Every child has a right to grow up happy, safe and healthy, they have right to be educated, treated fairly and to be heard. This law came into force in UK in 1992.
RACE RELATION ACT 1976 (AMMENDMENT IN 2000) - this act eliminates unlawful racial discrimination and promote good relations between people from different backgrounds and races. It covers race discrimination in relation to all aspects of everyday life including education, training, employment, housing and other services.
SCHOOL POLICIES - all schools try to deliver education to children and young people ensuring they practise equality and diversity. Some of their policies include: SEN, Equal Opportunities, Gifted and Talented, Anty bullying policy, race and cultural diversity and disability and access.

1.2 Describe the importance of supporting the rights of all children and young people to participation and equality of access.

I am sure we all know that it is very important to support equality and diversity at schools, so every child and young person has the opportunity to learn, it is their right to learn without any problem in spite of their race, religious background, gender, age, sexual orientation, special educational needs, ability or disability. They should all have the right to access the National Curriculum no matter where they are coming from. All children should have their rights, which are written in UNCRC 1989 and started being practised in 1992 in United Kingdom. It is important they have right to freedom of thought and to express those thoughts, right to be listened to and be heard. We as professionals need to make sure those rights are being met: human rights, legal rights and moral rights. We are the adults who are preparing the next generation of children, we are the