Discriminatory and Non-Discriminatory Practice in Health and Social Care – Level 2 Health and Social Care BTEC Revision

Discriminatory Practice

Discriminatory practice is the unfair treatment of people based on aspects of their identity, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.
It can include direct discrimination, where individuals are treated less favourably because of their characteristics, and indirect discrimination, where policies or practices disadvantage certain groups.
Discrimination can often be unintentional, resulting from a lack of awareness about others’ needs or rights.
Discrimination can manifest in health and social care settings in various ways, such as denying care or providing substandard care to certain demographic groups.
It can lead to health inequalities, adversely impacting the physical and emotional wellbeing of people in marginalized groups.
The Equality Act 2010 is the key UK legislation protecting individuals against discrimination, requiring health and social care providers to treat everyone equally regardless of their characteristics.

Non-Discriminatory Practice

Non-discriminatory practice involves treating everyone equally and promoting fairness, regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs or circumstances.
It involves providing health and social care tailored to the unique needs of individuals, recognising and accommodating diversity.
Key to non-discriminatory practice is promoting equality (ensuring everyone has the same opportunities) and diversity (valuing and respecting differences).
Empowerment is also crucial, involving supporting individuals to assert control over their own lives and make informed decisions about their care.
Respect for human rights underpins non-discriminatory practice, ensuring all individuals’ rights to life, freedom, respect, and dignity are upheld.
Individuals should be actively involved in planning and reviewing their care, their views and experiences taken into account.
Non-discriminatory practice demands continuous reflection, learning and improvement.
Adherence to professional guidelines, policies and codes of conduct helps maintain non-discriminatory practice.
Education and training are key in promoting non-discriminatory practice, helping practitioners understand and value diversity, and recognise and challenge their own biases.