Equality & Diversity

This one day course is designed for front line staff working in a variety of settings and disciplines. The overall aim of this training is to raise participants’ understanding of the theme so that the quality of service users’ support is enhanced and that general appreciation of Diversity, Equality and Anti-Discriminatory Practice increases.

The trainer will utilise a range of exercises and training techniques that will assist in promoting the understanding of what it might feel like to be regarded and treated in an inappropriate way and what it might be like to be undervalued, marginalised and oppressed. Learners will also gain an understanding of legal, professional and organisational/practice expectations of them and how to adopt a positive approach to Diversity.

The course material will be set within a legal framework and with references to the organisation’s policy and The Code of Practice for Social Care Workers.

The course certificate will provide NVQ links for those working towards NVQ and CIS.

Learning objectives:

By the end of this course learners should have understood:

• What is meant by the terms ‘Equal Opportunities’ and ‘Diversity’.
• What the difference is between the two and how they apply in a social support setting.
• How Diversity enriches.
• A range of terms. To include:
        -Anti Discriminatory Practice Oppression
        -Marginalisation
        -Discrimination
        -Prejudice
        -Assumptions
        -Sexism
        -Homophobia
        -Ageism
        -Disablism
        -Racism
        -Multiculturalism etc
• What it feels like or might feel like to be marginalised/oppressed in our society and how this impacts or may impact
  on the individual’s thinking, behaviour and potential.
• Which groups of people have tended to be undervalued in our society.
• Language that may reinforce the marginalisation of people or be experienced as being offensive/oppressive.
• Behaviour that might support the marginalisation of people.
• What is meant by:
        -Direct Discrimination
        -Indirect Discrimination
        -Genuine Occupational Qualification (GOQ)
        -Third party Discrimination
• How the law aims to protect people. The essence of:
        -The Sex Discrimination Act
        -The Race Relations Act
        -The Disabled Person’s Act
        -The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation & Religion or Belief) Regulation
• The key elements of the organisation’s Diversity policy; what is expected with regards to behaviour towards
  colleagues and service users.
• How to apply the principles into everyday practice; what do support workers need to consider when supporting
  service users*: To include:
        -Faith/Belief
        -Food
        -Personal care
        -Privacy/dignity
        -Gender issues
        -Festivities
        -Personal relationships
        -The family
        -Touch
        -Dying & death etc.

* Please note that the issues listed above will not be explored in-depth on this course

Training Methods:

The subject matter can raise uncomfortable feelings. The trainers facilitating this training therefore are mindful of the need to work in a supportive way.
This course is particularly interactive and participants will have the opportunity to explore issues through:

• Facilitated discussion
• Work in small and larger groups.
• Word shower method
• Quizzes
• Trainer presentations
• OHP/PowerPoint
• Handouts
• Chalk & talk

CP10/4.9