Unit 5: Meeting Individual Needs (Assignment Unit) (Written up class notes) LATEST EDITION 2025 AID GRADE A+

Unit 5: Meeting Individual Needs (Assignment Unit) (Written up class notes) LATEST EDITION 2025 AID GRADE A+ Equality (A1) Ensuring individuals or groups of individuals are treated fairly and equally with equal access to the services they need, meaning that they receive service that meets their personal needs regardless of how they live or where. It means that everyone has equal opportunities and that needs are met. Diversity (A1) It involves recognising the differences between people in terms of factors such as race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, age, and other things such as those with disabilities. Valuing diversity means respecting and valuing the cultures and beliefs of other people. Addressing your prejudice and adapting your behaviour is central to valuing diversity. Discrimination (A1) When someone has a prejudice against a person or a group of people. This could be for reasons including age, gender, race, ethnicity, social class, religious and secular beliefs, and so on. There is a range of discrimination types; positive, unfair, direct, and indirect. Equity The quality of being fair and impartial. (Oxford Languages) Rights A moral or legal entitlement to have or do something. (Oxford Languages) Stereotyping/Stereotype A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. For example the stereotyping of a disabled individual. (Oxford Languages) Labelling Assigning something or someone to a category, especially inaccurately or restrictively. (Oxford Languages) Prejudice A preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. (Oxford Languages) Belief An acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof. (Oxford Languages) Values Principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life. (Oxford Languages) Vulnerability The quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally. (Oxford Languages) Empowerment The process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights. (Oxford Languages) Independence/Interdependence Independence: You get what you want through your own effort. Interdependence: Cooperate together to accomplish what we want. ref: (, 2019) Racism A form of prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, community, or institution against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group. (Oxford Languages) Agesim Prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of a person's age. (Oxford Languages) Sexism Prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex. (Oxford Languages) Homophobia Dislike of or prejudice against gay people. (Oxford Languages) Why is equality essential in the health and social care sector? (A1) - It allows people to feel respected, valued, and included. - Ensures that all individuals and groups of individuals have the same access to all opportunities and services regardless of their differences. - The 2010 Equality Act also ensures that people with protected characteristics are treated fairly and not discriminated against; it means that people who go against the act could face prosecution. How can equality be promoted? (A1) - Person-centred care and personalised care plans which meet an individual's needs, by acknowledging things such as their likes or dislikes, and their beliefs. - People who work in health and social care should be encouraged to value diversity and be respectful towards attributes that make people in society different from one another. - Treating individuals equally by taking their different beliefs and abilities into account. For example, offering a prayer room, or giving the patient the right to refuse treatment as their religious beliefs may prohibit them from receiving it. How could you make a hospital setting an equal environment for a Muslim? (A1) - Ethnic groups such as Muslims may have certain religious beliefs which means that they may not be able to accept certain treatment, in which they have the right to refuse it. Allowing them to decline encourages equality in a healthcare setting. - Muslims may also pray, in which case a prayer room can be offered to ensure that they feel respected and equal to other patients. Overt/direct discrimination (A1) When someone is treated less favourably than someone else because of a protected characteristic. Covert/indirect discrimination (A1) When a rule or policy that applies to everyone puts a certain group at a disadvantage. Unfair discrimination (A1) When a person is treated unfairly compared with someone else. E.g. someone is not considered for a job due to the fact that they are older than another candidate, despite having the same qualifications and experience. Positive discrimination (A1) When a decision is made in a persons favour because there is something different about them. Discrimination by association (A1) Direct discrimination towards an individual because they are associated with someone who has a protected characteristic. Harassment (A1) Unwanted conduct which has the purpose or effect of violating a person's dignity or creating an intimidating, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. Victimisation (A1) Where someone is treated badly because they have made or supported a complaint under the Equality Act. What is discrimination by perception? (A1) Direct discrimination of someone because others perceive them to have a protected characteristic, even if they don't. Short term effects of discrimination (A1) - Embarrassment - Intimidation - Awkwardness - Upset - Anger - Withdrawal - Avoidance Long term effects of discrimination (A1) - Isolation - Suicide - Low self-worth - Low self-esteem - Depression - Self loathing - Aggression/Crime What is an initiative? (A1) An idea that is put in place to try and overcome/prevent something. Initiatives aimed at preventing discrimination in care (A1) Access: There are multiple ways to adapt the environment, for example by having wide corridors, ramps, disabled toilets, lifts, wide automatically opening doors, counters, and signs at wheelchair level, and so on. (Physical, sensory or cognitive impairment) Diet: A choice is given for those with medical conditions, religious requirements, or cultural preferences. Support: Service users are provided with appropriate resources and information in a wide range of formats and languages in order to reflect local cultures, with advocates, translators, interpreters, and carers available to help. The use of advocacy services: Someone referred to as an advocate can speak on behalf of someone else who may not be able to speak for themselves as a result of an illness, disability, or lack of confidence. Help build self-esteem. Preventing discrimination: Code of conduct for health care (A1) 1) Be accountable by making sure you can answer for your acts or omissions. 2) Promote and uphold the privacy, dignity, rights, health and wellbeing of people who use health and care services and their carers at all times. 3) Work in collaboration with your colleagues to ensure the delivery of high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare, care and support. 4) Communicate in an open, and effective way to promote the health, safety, and wellbeing of people who use health and care services and their carers. 5) Respect a person's right to confidentiality. 6) Strive to improve the quality of healthcare, care and support through continuing professional development. 7) Uphold and promote equality, diversity and inclusion. Equality Act 2010 (A1) What is it?: An act passed in 2010 that legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society (GOV.UK, 2013/2015). Discrimination types under the law: Direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, victimisation. Protected characteristics: Age, gender reassignment, being married, pregnant/maternal, disability, race including ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. (GOV.UK, 2013/2015). Human Rights Act 1998 (A1) What is it?: An act passed in 1998 which is designed to set out the fundamental rights and freedoms that everyone in the UK is entitled to. The rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) are incorporated within the act. Conventional rights: e.g. Right to life, freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, abolition of the death penalty etc, makes it illegal to discriminate on a wide range of grounds including race, sex etc. What it does: Seek justice in a british court, public bodies respect your rights by law etc. How does it promote anti-discriminatory practice?: Ensures that all individuals have rights and that these rights are met. What are skills? (A2) An ability to undertake a task, such as being able to communicate or correctly give an injection. It comes from a person's knowledge, practice, attitude, and so on. What are personal attributes? (A2) Qualities or characteristics someone has that make them into the person they are. These are based on your values which are the things you perceive as important in life, such as being kind towards others and treating them with respect What are the 6 C's? (A2) Six values or behaviors felt to be essential to providing quality care in the health and social care sector. They ensure that the quality of care is profound and virtuous: - Care - Compassion - Competence - Communication - Courage - Commitment 6 C's: Care (A2) Involves helping an individual person and improving the health of the whole community; people who receive care expect it to be right for them consistently throughout all stages of their life. An example of care would include learning the likes and dislikes of a service user/patient, or ensuring that an individual has access to food and water. 6 C's: Compassion (A2) This is how care is given through relationships based on empathy, respect, and dignity; it is also described as intelligent kindness and is central to how care is perceived by service users. Examples of being compassionate can include listening attentively to an individual in order to understand their needs and build a relationship of trust. 6 C's: Competence (A2) The ability to understand an individuals health and social care needs, and having the expertise, clinical and technical knowledge to deliver effective care based on research and evidence. Being competent can entail ensuring that you are up to date with regards to your skills, and being fully trained. 6 C's: Communication (A2) The exchange of information between individuals; is central to successful caring relationships and to working in a team effectively. It is key to a good workplace, with benefits for those in care and staff alike. 6 C's: Courage (A2) Involves doing the right thing for the people we care for, and can involve speaking up when we have concerns; means we have the personal strength and vision to innovate and embrace new ways of working. An example of showing courage can include voicing any concerns for a service user or as a staff member yourself. 6 C's: Commitment (A2) The ability to stay determined, and to continue to improve care and meet people's needs. Showing commitment can mean showing up to work on time (good punctuality), or staying behind after a work shift to help out other patients or staff members (going above and beyond). People skills (Brief summary) (A2) These are the skills that help us to get on with people, and help us to develop relationships with them. Some include: - Empathy: The ability to share, understand and recognise other people's emotions, it involves thinking beyond yourself and your own concerns, and solely focusing on someone else. - Patience: The capacity to accept or tolerate problems without becoming annoyed or anxious. - Engendering trust: The ability to get people to trust you. - Flexibility: Being able to fit in with others and change your own plans if necessary. - A sense of humour: Seeing the funny side of situations. - Negotiating: The process by which two parties with different interests or perspectives attempt to reach an agreement, such as a doctor and a patient negotiating a care plan. - Honesty: Being truthful and sincere. - Problem-solving: Being able to ask the right questions and find an appropriate answer to a problem. (Ref: Health and Social Care Year 1 [Book Source]) People skills: Patience (A2) - Patience is important to have when working in a frantic workplace environment where there is a lot to do in a short space of time and is especially vital when dealing with emotional and vulnerable individuals. - Showing patience can help someone feel less like a patient number or burden; if they were to feel this way then it is likely to make them feel more vulnerable and distressed. This could lead to the individual feeling as though they cannot trust you or share their feelings with you, which can lead to more severe issues such as them becoming depressed. People skills: How to show patience (A2) - Reassuring someone that they're important, even at times when you're busy. - Apologise and tell them that they deserve more of your time. - Try arrange some personal time with your patient at a later less busy time. - Physical stop, sit or couch at same height as someone and smile. People skills: Engendering trust (A2) - Trust is like the glue that holds together a good working relationship, it is central to providing the best quality care as without it, it's difficult to work with someone as there is mistrust and resentment. - Demonstrating trust involves being open and communicating important issues regarding their personal situation such as support or treatment. - However, it is important to not allow misinformation to start and to be clear as this could lead to losing credibility of trust. - Providing support tailored to meeting someone's needs as an individual by being open is also another way of demonstrating trust. People skills: Building an atmosphere of trust (A2) - Being ethical and showing integrity in all dealings with service users and other staff e.g. no gossiping. - Actively listening to service users and being responsive to their needs, if you can't do this then be honest about why you're unable to fill them. - Involve people in discussions regarding their care. - Talk to people and about them in a respectful manner. - Support service users when they are facing challenges. - Maintain confidentiality when certain circumstances reqire it. People skills: Flexibility (A2) - Being rigid and strictly working to the exact rule can dehumanise a care worker and make them appear unfeeling and as though they are just doing their job. - Important to be flexible; open to change; offering choices when possible; encourage individuality. - Good skill to have as it shows that you are committed to meeting individuals' needs by being at work even after your shift has ended, and it shows that you're willing to make a difference and build relationships with service users by being yourself and showing individuality. People skills: Sense of humour (A2) CONTINUED...