This document discusses various types of discrimination that can occur in adult social care work. It defines direct discrimination as treating someone less favorably due to attributes like race, gender, or disability. Indirect discrimination occurs when someone with special needs is treated the same as others without considering their needs. The document also discusses how prejudice can lead to discrimination if it influences how practitioners treat others. Finally, it notes that organizations must promote non-discriminatory practices and policies to prevent discrimination and comply with the law.

1. Adult Social Care Workers
Discrimination
Antonio Amaral, Nov 2012

2. Direct Discrimination
This is when someone is treated less favorably than another
because of certain attributes:
• Race
• Color
• Gender
• Sexuality
• Age
• Disability
• Race
An example of direct discrimination would be deciding not
treat someone because of their ethnic background.
Antonio Amaral, Nov 2012

3. Indirect Discrimination
This occurs when someone is treated in
the same way as someone else but they have
special needs that need to be
considered, for example a disabled person
may need access to a building however
treating them in the same as able
bodied people could prevent them from
accessing the same facilities. This would
therefore be discriminatory.
Antonio Amaral, Nov 2012

4. The Affects of Discrimination
Antonio Amaral, Nov 2012

5. Prejudice & Discrimination
A prejudice is pre-judgment, an opinion formed
beforehand without knowledge or examination
of the facts. Some people are prejudiced against
different religions, cultures or people with
learning difficulties for example.
Discriminations occurs when someone’s
prejudice affects the way they treat other
people. In the Health and Social Care profession
it is important that practitioners do not allow
their prejudice to influence how they treat other
people.
Antonio Amaral, Nov 2012

6. Forms of Discrimination
There are a number of different ways that people
can be discriminated against in the health and social
care services as well as in everyday life. Some forms of
discrimination are clear to see - use of racist language
for example, but others are more subtle or discrete.
Some of the ways in which discrimination can be
presented are:
Avoidance - not going close to someone because they
are different,
Devaluing - failure to recognise achievement or unfair
criticism,
Verbal abuse - use of offensive or insulting language,
Physical abuse - assaulting a person causing them
physical harm,
Negative body language,
Neglect and poor care.
Antonio Amaral, Nov 2012

7. Non-discriminatory practice
To prevent discrimination from occurring,
Non-discriminatory practices must be followed
by organisations (and workers of) health and
social care services. Organizations must promote
equality and diversity at all times. Organizations
must have a code of practice and policies which
make sure discrimination cannot occur and that
they are not breaking the law. Service providers
must recognize and respond to the needs and
requirements of the people who access their
services.
Antonio Amaral, Nov 2012

8. Care Quality Commission
And the delivery of health and social
care services
Health and social care services are influenced by
quality standards which come from different legislation and
policies. The Care Quality Commission's aim is to make
sure that better care is provided for everyone accessing
health and social care services.
The Care Quality Commission regulates all health and adult
social care services, including those provided by the NHS,
local authorities, private companies and voluntary
organisations.
The commission makes sure that quality standards are
being met where care is provided, such as in hospitals or
care homes. It has a range of powers to take action on
behalf of people who use services if services are
unacceptably poor.
The commission also brings together independent
regulation of health, mental health and adult social care.
Before April 1 2009, this work was carried out by the
Healthcare Commission, the Mental Health Act Commission
and the Commission Antonio Amaral, Nov 2012