Introduction to Equality and Inclusion in Health, Social Care or
Childrens and Young People's Settings.
Jason Dorward
13/6/2014
Diversity is in the care home I work – there are men and women and a range in ages too. Each will have their own personal experiences and preferences, for example for food and activities, different attitudes, for example to staff and residents, beliefs, health status and intellectual ability. These differences make up diversity.

Equality means treating everyone fairly and making equal opportunities available – this also involves respecting individuals differences

Inclusion involves making the individual the centre of their life, involving them in everything that is about them so that they are actively involved in all aspects of their life, care and support.

Ways that discrimination can occur could be based on an individual’s ability or on their financial status. Direct discrimination would occur if the care worker shows an objection, that is displays a dislike of the individual and refuses to support them because of the level of their ability or decides that they will withdraw their service because of the individual’s financial status which they believe does not entitle them to the support.

Inadvertently discrimination would occur if the care worker worked in a way that insisted on only working with individuals or staff that met certain requirements or insisted in working in one set way without asking them or finding out from them as this would inadvertently exclude individuals from being supported in the same way.

Treating the individual fairly, on the same level and providing them with equal opportunities to housing, education, employment, transport, health and social care can help as the individual will feel valued and treated fairly and not made vulnerable or set apart that will reduce, if not eliminate any discrimination against that individual or by that individual against others. Inclusion also is important as the individual will be aware of their rights, will feel in control and will feel supported to be able to make their own choices and have their needs met and so reduce the risk of the individual being