LO1

• Equality means to ensure that a person is treated fairly and given the same opportunities regardless of their differences and treated according to their needs
• valuing diversity involves accepting and respecting differences by seeing everyone as a unique individual
• the benefits of staff understanding diversity include empowerment, independence, inclusion, respect, dignity
• 4 aspects of diversity

  age, gender, race, religion
• 6 rights individuals are entitled to

  -choice

  -confidentiality

  -protection from harm and abuse

  -equal and fair treatment

  -consultation

  -right to life
• choice - gives individuals control over their lives and increases self esteem because it promotes independence
• confidentiality - private information should only be shared with people who are directly involved on a 'need to know' basis
• protection from abuse and harm - settings should have safeguarding procedures and safety measures in place
• equal and fair treatment - staff and service users treated fairly and according to their needs
• consultation - service users have the right to give their opinion about their care
• right to life - individual's life is protected by human rights law
• how to promote equality in settings

  -accessibility to service for everyone e.g. ramps, hearing loop, braille leaflets

  -staff using non discriminatory language
• how to promote diversity in settings

  -offering choice e.g. catering vegetarian, kosher, halal to meet dietary needs

  -residents offered range of activities to participate in
• how to promote rights in settings

  -mobility, dietary, communication needs met

  -female staff available to meet cultural needs

  -ensure all areas are accessible to everyone
• how to promote beliefs in settings

  -dietary needs met

  -multi faith room

  -celebration of different festivals e.g. diwali and eid
• how to maintain confidentiality in settings

  -private information on shared to staff on a 'need to know basis'

  -patient records kept securely in a locked filing cabinet or password protected so access is limited to authorised staff