The Equality Act

Question 1

Legislation’s in the equality act

Answer 1

• The Equal Pay Act 1970
• The Sex Discrimination Act 1975
• The Race Relations Act 1976
• The Disability Discrimination Act 1995
• the employment equality (religion or belief) regulations 2003
• the employment equality (age) regulations 2003
• the employment equality (sexual orientation) regulations 2003

Question 2

Direct discrimination under the act

Answer 2

Direct discrimination is unlawful under the equality act and if you are a victim of direct discrimination you can take action in civil courts.
This occurs when it is obvious by words or actions towards an individuals that they are at a disadvantage towards a different person.
For example within a care setting giving preferential treatment to some groups and denying treatment to others.

Question 3

Indirect discrimination under the act

Answer 3

Indirect discrimination is unlawful under the act however it is not illegal under the Disability discrimination act 1995.
Indirect discrimination is not obvious (overt). For example if you demonstrate a preference for a certain group of people over others, this could be down to characteristics however, it is hard to prove.

Question 4

Harassment under the act

Answer 4

Harassment is illegal under the act as it has the purpose of violating an individual with unwanted conduct related to protected characteristics.

Question 5

Victimisation under the act

Answer 5

Victimisation under the act is illegal

Question 6

What are the nine protected characteristics included under the act?

Answer 6

1 Age
2 Disability
3 Gender reassignment
4 Marriage and civil partnerships
5 Pregnancy and maternity
6 Race
7 Sex
8 Religions and beliefs
9 Sex and sexual orientations

Question 7

What five things could you do if you felt the act was not being followed?

Answer 7

1 Seek redress
2 Report it to the commissions/ citizens advice bureau
3 Complain/claim
4 Contact Ofsted
5 Contact senior management/council

Question 8

How does the equality act link to care values?

Answer 8

The equality act has set rules for everyone working in care and as well as the care values it promotes equality, diversity, fairness,respect and dignity.

Question 9

What is The Children Act and what is the main difference to the 1989 version of the act to the 2004 following the Victoria Climbie case?

Answer 9

The children Act, is broken down into multiple principles, the Paramountcy principle being the first and most important to help protect children from any form of harm that they could be vulnerable to by their parents.
The first act was made in 1989 however, due to the Victoria Climbie case the act showed some very dangerous faults and was improved in 2004.
The main change of the two acts was communication, which the 1989 act lacked, this caused the snowball affect to the death of Victoria Climbie.

Question 10

What are the aims of the Every Child matters National policy?

Answer 10

1 Being healthy
2 Staying safe
3 Enjoying and achieving
4 Making a positive contribution
5 Economic well-being

Question 11

How did the race relations Act improve following the Stephen Lawrence case?

Answer 11

1 Public services MUST follow the new act and promote equality and diversity.
2 All authorities must eliminate racial discrimination.
3 Individuals can not be refused treatment due to race.
4 Staff are trained on different cultures and taught how not to offend individuals.
5 all discrimination at work, housing and services is banned.

Question 12

What was the main issue with the race relations Act before the amendment?

Answer 12

1 it was not specific enough
2 There was no laws stopping racism from public services and authorities therefore they did not see an issue in what they were doing and didn’t take it seriously until Nelson Mandela’s speech.
3 The police were ‘embarrassed’ to arrest white individuals for racist acts as they didn’t want to ruin their pride.

Question 13

What is the purpose of the equality act?

Answer 13

The Act strengthens the current legislation by basing it more on discrimination, protecting individuals from unfair treatment and a more equal society.

Question 14

What are the 8 agents of secondary socialisation?

Answer 14

1 peers
2 income
3 media
4 work
5 healthcare
6 housing
7 education
8 religion

Question 15

When will discrimination not be discrimination?

Answer 15

• ‘Reasonable adjustments’ because the structure of a building can not be adapted to accommodate for every disability.
• Job requirements, advertising for a specific sex is okay as long as it is to meet the holistic needs of a service.

Question 16

How does the Equality act promote inclusion?

Answer 16

• It gives individuals equal chances.
• Everyone is able to develop their skills the same way as everyone else.
• Promotes diversity so children will learn from a young age not to discriminate against others.

Question 17

Is direct discrimination and indirect discrimination illegal under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995?

Answer 17

Direct discrimination is illegal under the act, however indirect discrimination is not as long as ‘reasonable adjustments’ have been made.

Question 18

What is a commission?

Answer 18

A commission is an independent group created by government where you can go if you feel you’ve been discriminated against. They help with the process of seeking redress.

Question 19

During employment interviews what does The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 not allow you to do?

Answer 19

The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 forbids people from using questions about childcare during interviews. It is also important that there is a balance of gender on interview panels.

Question 20

What is institutional discrimination?

Answer 20

A form of discrimination which occurs specifically in institutions such as public cooperations, for example a school.

Question 21

Is mental health covered under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995?

Answer 21

Yes, recent updates make it illegal to discriminate against individuals because of their mental health.

Question 22

Outline how the equality act promotes the rights of individuals with physical disabilities.

Answer 22

• Covers discrimination on the basis of protected characteristic I.e disability
• covers direct and indirect discrimination
• covers victimisation and harassment based on disability
• reasonable adjustments have to be made by services and organisations for those with disabilities e.g Provision of Ramps,hearing loops etc.

Question 23

State one piece of legislation that supports the rights of individuals with conditions such as dementia.

Answer 23

The equality act

Question 24

What are the 6 Health care rights?

Answer 24

—choice
—confidentiality 
—consultation 
—protection from abuse and harm
—equality and fair treatment 
—Right to life

Question 25

What is direct discrimination?

Answer 25

Face to face
Words or actions that clearly disadvantage a person or group of people
For example denying a certain group treatment

Question 26

What is indirect discrimination?

Answer 26

Less obvious
Can be unintentional
Showing preference for a certain group or person
What a condition is made harder for one group than another