Unit_Shc_23__Introduction_to_Equality_and_Inclusion_in_Health,_Social_Care_or_Children’S_and_Young_Peoples_Work_Force.

1. Understand the importance of equality and inclusion. 1.1 explain what is meant by diversity, equality, inclusion and discrimination. Diversity; diversity is accepting that all people are different and have different abilities. People are different in many ways such as different age groups, cultures, backgrounds, social groups, genders ETC. in the setting we support diversity in many different ways one of the ways we do this is by providing age appropriate activities that support children’s needs. E.g. when doing cutting and sticking activities we provide both left and right handed scissors. Equality; equality is providing equal opportunities for all people. In the setting, we make sure that all staff members, parents and children have equal opportunities. Inclusion; being inclusive is breaking down barriers so that all staff and children have the same opportunities. One of the many different ways we are inclusive in the setting is that we have dietry sheets and menus. This helps us to be inclusive because if a child is allergic to a food or drink substance e.g. oranges we would then change the menu the days that that child is in to something such as apple so that all the children have the same and it doesn’t make the child with the allergy feel left out. Discrimination; discrimination is treating people differently because of their age, class, disability, race, culture, religion, gender or sexual orientation. An example of discrimination could be that a child could say to another child you are not playing with me because your skin is different to mine. 1.2 Explain ways in which discrimination may occur deliberately or inadvertently in the work setting. Staff, children or parents may say something within the setting to discriminate deliberately such as; “This is a job that only women can do” (staff). “My child can’t play with yours as they are a different race” (parent). “Only boys can play with cars not girls” (child). Discrimination may occur inadvertently in the setting as a member of staff could say “ill put the cars out for the boys today as they like them” with out meaning it to discriminate against girls. 1.3 Explain how practises that support equality and inclusion reduce the likelihood of discrimination. Practises that support equality and inclusion reduce the likelihood of discrimination by having policies in place that both staff and parents can read and follow within the setting, managers can go on and/or send staff on training to make them more aware of discrimination and what it is and ways that they could prevent it, settings could use persona dolls with the children which will allow them to have a positive approach to others no matter what their age, class, disability, race, culture, religion, gender or sexual orientation is also the setting could provide different activities such as themed cultural days. An example of a themed cultural day could be eid where the children can dress up in traditional clothes, make cards, food tasting, make collages and listen to cultural music. 3.1 identify a range of sources of information, advice and support about diversity, equality and inclusion. There are many different sources of information that you can use for advice on equality, diversity and inclusion such as managers and senior staff within the setting, the settings policies and procedures on diversity, equality and inclusion, the internet, you could contact outreach agencies, the NSPCC, child line and local services for support. 3.2 describe how and when to access information, advice and support about diversity, equality and inclusion. Within the setting you can contact your manager either face to face or via telephone or email for information, advice and support about diversity, equality and inclusion, you can read your policies and procedures which are kept within the setting, visit surestart centres such as sandbrook and howard street for general advice, contact the NSPCC and child line via telephone or their websites and you can also use the internet which has many different search engines.