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Equality: equality has become an important focus in health and social care settings, as it ensures that people have equal rights and opportunities. By law every organisation must have an equal opportunities policy that all employees can see. This makes sure that everyone in the organisation is treated fairly and equally so they have the same choices and opportunities as everyone else and no one is treated differently. In health and social care settings, according to equal opportunities, all individuals must receive the same high quality level of care as each other. For example, if in a hospital one patient is asked if they would like a bath, then the rest of the patients on that particular ward should be asked too, otherwise they are being treated differently from one another.

Equity: equity means fairness and justice. In a health and social care setting, equity means that everyone is entitled to equal access to any service that they need, and that they should get the same high-quality care that they are entitled to, regardless of where they live or how they live their lives. For example, in a GP surgery, if the doctor refers one service user to a specialist but does not refer someone else, they are not treating the services users fairly.

Diversity: Diversity means accepting and respecting individuals for their differences. This means that everyone is recognised as being different and their difference is valued and respected. For example, in a care home the residents differences in religion are to be respected and they should be allowed to practice their beliefs.

Rights: Rights are legal entitlements that all individuals have. Everyone has the basis human rights, and in turn have a responsibility to respect other peoples human rights. The Human Rights Act 20000 states that a persons human rights are the right to life, the right to freedom from torture and degrading treatment, the right to freedom from slavery and forced labour, the right to liberty, the right to a fair trail, the right not to be punished for something that wasnt a crime when you did it, the right to respect for private and family life, the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and freedom to express your beliefs, the right to freedom of expression, the right to freedom of assembly and association, the right to marry and to start a family, the right not be discriminated against in respect of these rights and freedoms, the right to peaceful enjoyment of your property, the right to an education, the right to participate in free elections and the right not to be subjected to death penalty. For example, all individuals have the rights to live in society without

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[Type the document subtitle] Parent being abused or discriminated against because of their differences in gender, sexuality, race, skin colour, beliefs or culture. For example, all residents in a care home have the right to clean water and food, despite their differences from one another.

Opportunities: continuing from equality, equity and rights, everyone that works or uses health and social care services should have the same equal opportunities available to them. These opportunities can range from different jobs to medical treatment that is available. This could be telling a patient about the possible side effects that the medication they are on, explaining a medical procedure to patient, or telling a service user what they are entitled to. For example, in a care home all of the residents should have equal opportunities in terms of what activities and days out they can take part in.

Difference: this is related to diversity, as each person has to be respected and their differences recognised. Individuals need to be acknowledged and valued for who they are. This applies to both staff and service users that use a health and social care setting. For example, in a care home the residents should be respected for their differences. For example, if a resident prefers to eat only halal meat for religious beliefs, the staff should acknowledge this and take it into consideration when preparing meals.

Discrimination: discrimination is unlawful in Britain, and there is legislation to protect anyone who feels they are being discriminated against. There are two different types of discrimination, overt and covert. Overt discrimination is discrimination that is clear. For example, when one employee is being paid more than another, because of their gender, even though they are doing the same job and they have the same qualifications. It can occur when one person is treated differently compared with another person. Unfortunately overt discrimination does occur, and that is why people should be aware of it in order to make sure that it is sorted out. In a care home, for example, a care worker might give out chocolates to the residents that she likes but miss out the ones that she doesnt. Covert discrimination is discrimination that is hidden and can therefore be harder to demonstrate. For example, when people apply for the same job, even if they all have the same qualifications and experience, some might get shortlisted because of their colour or race. Even though it is harder to prove covert discrimination, cases are regularly reported in newspapers and it still happens. It is important to know and recognise when covert discrimination is taking place in a health and social

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[Type the document subtitle] Parent care setting. For example, if a care home interviews different candidates for a position and they only want females, then they wont advertise this but just choose not to employ them.

Stereotyping: stereotyping is a form of discrimination. Children pick up on discriminatory behaviour and view that people around them such as their family have. An example of stereotyping could be all homeless people dont want to work, all overweight people are lazy and all male nurses are homosexual. Stereotyping is a dangerous thing to do in a health and social care organisations as it can lead to wrong assumptions and discriminatory practice, which is illegal and could lead to someone being harmed. An example of stereotyping in a hospital is not treating an alcoholic because the professional believes all alcoholics stop drinking and then relapse. This might not be true, and it can lead to individuals getting seriously harmed.

Labelling: labelling is another form of discrimination, and is closely related to stereotyping. Everyone does this, however they do not realise it, especially when meeting someone for the first time. In the health and social care profession, the professionals need to be aware of this tendency to label people. Labelling usually comes into peoples heads, however it is what someone does with them that is important. It is important to become aware of these, therefore being about to control them and stop them interfering with work. Some examples of labelling are fat, uneducated, mean and weak. In a health and social care setting, if professional acts on these thoughts then it could affect the way they communicate and treat a service user, and this could lead to them disrespecting and perhaps harming them in some way. For example, in a hospital if the professional does not give the same amount of care to someone because EXAMPLE

Prejudice: a prejudice is a judgement that is made about someone when they dont know all of the facts. For example, if someone meets someone for the first time and they have negative thoughts about them for what ever reason, maybe that they are wearing a hoodie, the might start to judge them without knowing anything about them. However, if they actually talked to that person they might find out that they are an interesting and friendly person. Professionals in health and social care settings might have prejudice thoughts, but just like labelling, they need to be able to recognise them and control them. This is because if they let prejudices interfere with work then it can change the way the service user receives care. EXAMPLE

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[Type the document subtitle] Parent Disadvantage: disadvantage can cover a wide range of issues. Disadvantage as a term is usually used with discussing people that are from a poorer background, but can also be applied to someones difference in a broader sense, depending on labelling, stereotyping and prejudices. Unfortunately poverty can influences peoples health because of the poor living conditions. People that do come from a poorer background tend to be less educated and have a poorer diet. This can lead to a less paid job meaning it keeps families trapped in poverty. As a result of these factors, the health and social care services are under more pressure than other organisations. The government has a duty to improve these living conditions but poorer areas do exist. Professionals that do work in health and social care services need to remember that everyone has the right to receive the same care and treatment as everyone else, no matter what their background is. EXAMPLE

Beliefs: beliefs can be religious or they can be beliefs about ourselves and about life. Beliefs can be very powerful and they can affect the way that we treat people in a health and social care setting. For example, professionals could come across people that believe nothing harmful will happen to them. For example, that smoking will not give them lung cancer as they believe that it happens to other people and not them. Or there might be a family of Jehovahs Witnesses who dont not believe in blood transfusions, but if they child has one then they would live. It could also be someone who is in denial about what is wrong with them. These situations can all be a very difficult situation, if the professional does not have the same beliefs as a service user, but respect must always be shown. For example, in a care home the care workers would have to let a service user practice their religious beliefs, even if they did not agree to them.

Values: Peoples values usually develop as they grow, and can be influenced by the adults that they are in contact with. During the socialisation process, individuals learn their values and these can impact on how the individual sees the world. This can be negative or positive, or a mixture of both. For example, if someone decides to become a vegetarian because they believe that animal welfare is important. In health and social care settings, professionals will come across the psychological values that impact on people. For example, some people dont value their health enough so they become unwell and therefore will require varies services in the health and social care sector. EXAMPLE

Vulnerability: people may be vulnerable due to various reasons, but the main ones are their mental state or age. Someone who is frail is vulnerable in the winter season, and perhaps also to high

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[Type the document subtitle] Parent temperatures in the summer months. The vulnerable groups of people are offered free flu vaccinations in the winter months, to help them stay safe. Some people cannot protect themselves from abuse, as they are in no fit mental state. A health and social care professional would need to be able to help and support an individual, in order to ensure their health and safety is a priority and that there is a support plan that is set up for when they leave the service. For example, in a care home for older people, they are more likely to be abused because they are vulnerable.

Abuse: abuse refers to a wide range of negative behaviours that can have the potential to harm or damage individuals in various ways. Verbal abuse: verbal abuse occurs when one person uses words and body language in order to criticize another person inappropriately. Psychological abuse: psychological abuse is also known as mental or emotional abuse and it occurs when one person controls information that is available to another person in order to be able to manipulate or change that persons sense of reality. Physical abuse: physical abuse occurs when one individual uses physical pain or the threat of physical pain to intimidate another person. Sexual abuse: sexual abuse is the use of any unwanted sexual contact on a victim, where they are a child or adult, by an abuser. Neglect: neglect occurs when a person fails to provide for the basic needs on another individual that are dependant on them and they are responsible for. The basic needs are food, water, warmth and shelter. Hate crimes: hate crimes include verbal, physical, psychological or sexual abuse aimed at an individual or a group of individuals. The abuse may be based on various different views that the group of people have, for example religion, sexuality or the colour of their skin. In the health and social care profession, the care workers will come across abuse on a regular basis. The professional will have to remember that whether they are caring for the abused or the abuser, they both will need support. EXAMPLE

Empowerment: empowerment is when an individual has control over certain tasks that they have been asked to do, or over their own lives. A professional working in the health and social sector would have to ensure that the individuals are taking control of their health and well-being by empowering them to do so. This will be done by giving them support and encouragement, and in

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[Type the document subtitle] Parent some cases it takes a lot of patience. Some vulnerable people will not feel that they can take control of their own health and this is why a professional would have to be supportive towards them. Some individuals might feel that the professionals are too controlling, so they will therefore have to work out strategies that work in these cases. For example, in a care home the care workers would encourage the residents to chose things for them selves, such as what activities they want to take part in or whether they would like to eat at a certain time.

Independence: it is vital to make sure individuals have an independent life, without telling them what to do. Health professionals would have to make sure they come across as they are working with the individual, not working for them. It is important for health care professionals to help clients become independent. For example, a professional in a hospital would help and advise a patient into making a decision regarding their health by working with them and advising them.

Interdependence: interdependence means working within a team where everyone has a role that is as equal and important to each other. When working in a multi-disciplined team, all the individuals would by relying on each other, therefore making sure everyone carries out their role properly. EXAMPLE

Racism: racism is the abuse towards people that are of a certain race. Sexism: Homophobia: