Unit 2: Equality, Diversity and Rights
in Health and Social Care
Unit code: D/600/9222
QCF Level 3: BTEC Nationals
Credit value: 10
Guided learning hours: 60
Aim and purpose
This unit aims to develop learners’ understanding of concepts related to equality, diversity and rights in health
and social care. Learners will be able to gain knowledge of discriminatory practice and means of combatting
this. They will also develop understanding of national initiatives that promote anti-discriminatory practice in
health and social care settings.
Unit introduction
At the heart of effective health and social care practice lies an understanding of the immense diversity amongst
individuals in contemporary British society, and how good health and social care practice recognises and
accommodates this diversity. The promotion of equality and the rights of individuals are crucial for effective
health and social care service provision.
This unit investigates how equality, diversity and rights are central to the effective operation of health and
social care services. It explores discriminatory practice and its potential effects on patients/service users, the
promotion of anti-discriminatory practice by, for example, legislation and codes of practice, the application of
this to the health or social care workplace, and national initiatives that promote anti-discriminatory practice.
The knowledge and understanding gained from this unit will underpin many of the other units in the
qualification. In particular, it is essential in preparing learners for their work experience. It is also a useful
preparation for work in the health and social care sectors and for learners intending to progress to, for
example, degrees in social work, nursing or other related disciplines.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit a learner should:
1 Understand concepts of equality, diversity and rights in relation to health and social care
2 Know discriminatory practices in health and social care
3 Understand how national initiatives promote anti-discriminatory practice
4 Know how anti-discriminatory practice is promoted in health and social care settings.
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Health and Social Care
– Issue 1 – June 2010 © Edexcel Limited 2010
1
, Unit content
1 Understand concepts of equality, diversity and rights in relation to health and social
care
Benefits of diversity: social/cultural, eg the arts, diet, education, language, cultural enrichment, tolerance,
social cohesion; economic, eg employment, expertise
Terminology: correct use of, eg equality, equity, diversity, rights, opportunity, difference, overt
discrimination, covert discrimination, stereotyping, labelling, prejudice, disadvantage, beliefs, values,
vulnerability, abuse, empowerment, independence, interdependence, racism, sexism, homophobia
Settings: health and/or social care settings, eg residential, day care, nursing care, domiciliary care
Active promotion of equality and individual rights in health and social care settings: principles of the
care value base; putting the patient/service user at the heart of service provision, eg providing active
support, promoting individuals’ rights, choices and wellbeing, anti-discriminatory practice, empowering
patients/service users; dealing with tensions and contradictions; staff development and training; practical
implications of confidentiality, eg recording, reporting, storing and sharing of information
Individual rights: the right to be respected, treated equally and not discriminated against, treated as an
individual, treated in a dignified way, allowed privacy, protected from danger and harm, allowed access to
information about themselves, be able to communicate using their preferred methods of communication
and language, cared for in a way that meets their needs, takes account of their choices and protects them
2 Know discriminatory practices in health and social care
Basis of discrimination: factors, eg culture, disabilities, age, social class, gender, sexuality, health status,
family status, cognitive ability
Discriminatory practice: types, eg infringement of rights, covert or overt abuse of power, prejudice,
stereotyping, labelling, bullying, abuse
Effects: marginalisation, disempowerment, low self-esteem and self-identity, restricted opportunities,
negative behaviours such as aggression or criminality
Loss of rights: overriding individual rights, eg by the use of power and force; statutory powers
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Health and Social Care
2 – Issue 1 – June 2010 © Edexcel Limited 2010
in Health and Social Care
Unit code: D/600/9222
QCF Level 3: BTEC Nationals
Credit value: 10
Guided learning hours: 60
Aim and purpose
This unit aims to develop learners’ understanding of concepts related to equality, diversity and rights in health
and social care. Learners will be able to gain knowledge of discriminatory practice and means of combatting
this. They will also develop understanding of national initiatives that promote anti-discriminatory practice in
health and social care settings.
Unit introduction
At the heart of effective health and social care practice lies an understanding of the immense diversity amongst
individuals in contemporary British society, and how good health and social care practice recognises and
accommodates this diversity. The promotion of equality and the rights of individuals are crucial for effective
health and social care service provision.
This unit investigates how equality, diversity and rights are central to the effective operation of health and
social care services. It explores discriminatory practice and its potential effects on patients/service users, the
promotion of anti-discriminatory practice by, for example, legislation and codes of practice, the application of
this to the health or social care workplace, and national initiatives that promote anti-discriminatory practice.
The knowledge and understanding gained from this unit will underpin many of the other units in the
qualification. In particular, it is essential in preparing learners for their work experience. It is also a useful
preparation for work in the health and social care sectors and for learners intending to progress to, for
example, degrees in social work, nursing or other related disciplines.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit a learner should:
1 Understand concepts of equality, diversity and rights in relation to health and social care
2 Know discriminatory practices in health and social care
3 Understand how national initiatives promote anti-discriminatory practice
4 Know how anti-discriminatory practice is promoted in health and social care settings.
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Health and Social Care
– Issue 1 – June 2010 © Edexcel Limited 2010
1
, Unit content
1 Understand concepts of equality, diversity and rights in relation to health and social
care
Benefits of diversity: social/cultural, eg the arts, diet, education, language, cultural enrichment, tolerance,
social cohesion; economic, eg employment, expertise
Terminology: correct use of, eg equality, equity, diversity, rights, opportunity, difference, overt
discrimination, covert discrimination, stereotyping, labelling, prejudice, disadvantage, beliefs, values,
vulnerability, abuse, empowerment, independence, interdependence, racism, sexism, homophobia
Settings: health and/or social care settings, eg residential, day care, nursing care, domiciliary care
Active promotion of equality and individual rights in health and social care settings: principles of the
care value base; putting the patient/service user at the heart of service provision, eg providing active
support, promoting individuals’ rights, choices and wellbeing, anti-discriminatory practice, empowering
patients/service users; dealing with tensions and contradictions; staff development and training; practical
implications of confidentiality, eg recording, reporting, storing and sharing of information
Individual rights: the right to be respected, treated equally and not discriminated against, treated as an
individual, treated in a dignified way, allowed privacy, protected from danger and harm, allowed access to
information about themselves, be able to communicate using their preferred methods of communication
and language, cared for in a way that meets their needs, takes account of their choices and protects them
2 Know discriminatory practices in health and social care
Basis of discrimination: factors, eg culture, disabilities, age, social class, gender, sexuality, health status,
family status, cognitive ability
Discriminatory practice: types, eg infringement of rights, covert or overt abuse of power, prejudice,
stereotyping, labelling, bullying, abuse
Effects: marginalisation, disempowerment, low self-esteem and self-identity, restricted opportunities,
negative behaviours such as aggression or criminality
Loss of rights: overriding individual rights, eg by the use of power and force; statutory powers
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Health and Social Care
2 – Issue 1 – June 2010 © Edexcel Limited 2010
