Diversity-Supporting Service Users

This one day course is designed for support workers working in a variety of settings and with diverse service user groups.

The aim of this training is to raise participants’ awareness and understanding of the subject so that the most appropriate and inclusive service is offered in a way that values, affirms and respects the individual and the group they identify with.

The practical elements of the course will ensure that learners understand what is required of them on an everyday basis.

The course provides details of underpinning knowledge with reference to NVQ as well as CIS.

Learning objectives

By the end of this course learners should have understood:

• What is meant by ‘Equal Opportunities’
• What is meant by ‘Diversity’
• The difference between the two terms
• A range of related definitions to include:
        -Oppression
        -Discrimination
        -Marginalisation
        -Harassment
        -Prejudice
        -Assumptions
        -Sexism
        -Homophobia
        -Ageism
        -Disablism
        -Racism etc
• What it feels like or might feel like to be marginalised/oppressed in society in general and how this impacts or
  may impact on the individual’s thinking, feeling and behaviour
• The groups who have ‘traditionally’ been discriminated against
• Language that may reinforce the marginalisation of these groups of people or be experienced as being offensive
• Behaviour that might support the marginalisation of these groups of people
• What is meant by ‘Institutional’ Discrimination:
        -Structures
        -Staff ‘attitudes’
        -Hierarchies of value
        -Discriminatory services/opportunities
        -Tokenism
        -Exclusion
        -Intimidation
        -Disrespect
        -Humiliation (incl. humour)
        etc.
• What is meant by Discriminatory Abuse with reference to ‘No Secrets’
• Guidelines that support practice consistent with Equality & Diversity:
        -“No Secrets”
        -The Code of Practice for Social Care Workers
        -Common Induction Standards
• The need to provide a service that:
        -Ensures that Diversity is a component of Assessment
        -Ensures that Diversity is a critical element of care/support planning, implementation and review
• The need to provide everyday support that takes account of:
        -Culture, Gender, Disability, Age, Sexuality, Belief etc.
        -Individual preferences and needs-the service user is the expert!
• How when supporting service users it is important to also consider :
        -Food
        -Touch
        -Family
        -Intimacy
        -Language
        -Celebration
        -Rituals
        -Dress
        -Personal care
        -Dying/Death etc.
• Expectations of workers outlined in the organisation’s policy

Training Methods:

This course is particularly interactive and participants will have the opportunity to explore issues through:

• Facilitated discussion        
• Small and larger group work
• Word shower method        
• Quizzes
• Tutor presentations           
• OHP/PowerPoint
• Handouts                         
• Chalk &Talk
• Pairs & triads work

CP28/4.9