equality & diversity by kristi long

Educational Solutions for Workforce Development

Equality and DiversityDr Kristi Long

NHS Education for Scotland


Outline

• Key concepts in equality and diversity• What does equality and diversity mean for

health and social care?• What is my role in delivering equality and

diversity?• Where can I find out more?


Some key concepts

Equality is about creating a fairer society where everyone can participate and have the opportunity to fulfil their full potential and no one is unfairly disadvantaged.

Diversity is about valuing peoples’ differences and addressing their different needs and situations.


Equality law: ‘protected characteristics’

•Age•Disability•Gender reassignment•Marriage & civil partnership•Pregnancy & maternity

•Race (incl. ethnic and national origin)•Religion or belief•Sex (gender)•Sexual orientation


Other drivers of inequality

• Socioeconomic inequality• Geography

– Areas of multiple social disadvantage– Remote and rural areas


Discrimination

Legally defined as less favourable or unfavourable treatment because of a protected characteristic.

Can be:• Direct discrimination• Indirect discrimination• Discrimination arising from disability• Institutional discrimination


Harassment

In the Equality Act 2010, harassment is:

Unwanted behaviour related to a protected characteristic which has the purpose or effect of:

• Violating a person’s dignity or• Creating an intimidating, hostile, humiliating,

offensive or degrading environment for that person


So what?


Inequality: some examples

Access to services• Are there barriers which make it less likely

that I can access a service?Experience of services or quality of service• Is the service I receive as good as the service

others receive? Does it take account of my needs and preferences?

Outcomes• What is the result?


Person-centredness


Developing and delivering services


Engaging with service users


This is also about you

Fair treatment: protection from discrimination and harassment (from service users, staff, management, etc), treated with dignity and respect;

Consultation and engagement -- policies, equality priorities, education;

Reasonable adjustments, flexible working (where relevant)


A role for all of us

It is not your duty to complete the work;

neither are you free to desist from it.

Pirkei Avot 11.21