Discriminatory Practice Flashcards
Examples of Discriminatory Practice:
stereotyping, labelling, prejudice
inadequate care
abuse and neglect
breach of health and safety
being patronising
What is an example of prejudice?
●Avoiding people who are perceived as different, for example a nurse who is reluctant to attend
to patients from certain ethnic backgrounds.
●A nursery nurse who thinks that children from a certain postcode are common and treats
them less favourably than others.
What is an example of inadequate care
●A childminder sitting a child in front of the television all day to keep them quiet.
●Hospital patients’ physical needs not being met, such as having to wait too long for food and
drink, or not being taken to the toilet when needed.
What is an example of abuse and neglect?
●This could be verbal abuse, such as day centre staff mocking and making jokes about young
adults with learning disabilities.
●Care assistants causing bruises due to handling residents roughly while giving them a bed bath.
●A residential home for adults with dementia not providing any activities because there is no
point, they won’t remember anything’.
What is an example of breach of health and safety?
●A care setting not having any trained first aiders.
●Staff not trained in manual handling.
●Equipment not regularly checked for damage.
●Inadequate hygiene practices.
●Activities not being risk assessed.
Whos responsibility is it to demonstrate anti discriminatory practice and report discriminatory practice when it occurs?
It is the responsibility of ALL staff working in HSC/Chilldcare settings to ensure they are demonstrating anti-discriminatory practice and to challenge discriminatory practice when it occurs.
What are the appropriate actions/responses to discriminatory practice?
Using acceptable methods of challenging discrimination
Whistleblowing
Providing information about complaints procedures/advocacy services
Dealing with conflict
What are some acceptable methods of challenging discrimination?
●Challenge at the time
●Challenge afterwards through procedures
●Challenge afterwards through long-term campaigns
What is Whistleblowing?
This involves raising concerns with a more senior
member of staff such as a supervisor or manager.
In an environment with an open culture where concerns
can be raised without fear of repercussions, such as
victimisation or bullying, managers will listen and act
upon the issues raised in order to make improvements
for staff and the individuals using their services.
In extreme circumstances a person may need to
‘whistleblow’ to outside authorities such as Ofsted or
the Care Quality Commission.
What is Providing information about complaints
procedures and advocacy services
Enables people in HASC/Childcare settings to take action. For example, about poor treatment
The organisation’s complaints procedure should be
provided so that the individual knows who to complain
to and whether to make an internal complaint or
involve an outside agency such as the CQC, a solicitor
or the EHRC.
Some individuals are unable to speak up for themselves, for
example someone with dementia; having support from an advocate can enable them to
obtain their rights and have their care needs met.
How to dealing with conflict?
Active listening, remaining calm, being objective
and empathetic are ways of resolving conflict in care
environments. It is important to see both sides of an
argument and positively look for solutions.
How can discrimination be challenged at the time?
●Challenge at the time - explain to the person how
they are discriminating, to raise their awareness of
what they are doing, enabling them to reflect on their
actions. The person could be supervised so that the
quality of their work is monitored.
How can discrimination be challenged afterwards through procedures?
●Challenge afterwards through procedures - tell the
person to read the organisation’s policies, on equal
opportunities and bullying for example. Senior staff
could be consulted for advice on how to address the
issue. In a serious case, disciplinary action could be
taken against the person. This would make everyone
aware of the importance of the issue and provides a
basis for changing individuals’ attitudes.
How can discrimination be challenged afterwards through long-term campaigns?
● Challenge afterwards through long-term campaigns
- awareness sessions could be provided for
staff on equality, diversity and rights, for example. This training would be
a professional development opportunity that helps to
improve understanding of correct ways of working.
