Equality and Diversity

Equality, diversity and human rights are all terms used in public policy. Equality is not about being politically correct, but about achieving social justice at home, at work, and in the community. It looks at how age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation could be create barriers to social interaction, services, employment and training, and tries to address those issues. Having an understanding of diversity, and how issues such as culture and social context influence how a person understands and responds to the world around them is an area that everyone working with people could benefit from, and this course provides a basis for increasing awareness and understanding, and assisting participants to consider how diverse needs can be met within their work context.

Aims & Objectives:

On completion of this course, delegates will be able to:

• Identify types of discrimination and challenge these within their work areas
• Respond to diverse needs in a way that considers the whole person
• Define the equality strands
• Define their personal and professional responsibilities in terms of equality and diversity
• Identify the legislative and policy framework for equality and diversity
• Apply a human rights based approach to their work context

Learning outcomes:

• Understanding of the six equality strands and how these can impact upon how an individual experiences the world.
• Increased awareness of diversity, and how multiple identities and needs can influence an individual's experience of services.
• An awareness of the types of discrimination, and how anti-discrimination can be applied in their work context.
• An awareness of the Human Rights Based Approach.

Course Outline:

• The six strands of equality
• Common issues associated with the equality strands
• Understanding diversity
• Legislation and Policy
• The equality bill and its impact on public sector service delivery
• Identifying and challenging discrimination
• Applying anti-discriminatory principles into practice.
• The Human Rights Based Approach

The course is delivered as an interactive training session, with taught elements supported by a range of exercises utilised to support learning, these include - group exercises, case studies and role play.

Increased awareness of diversity and equality issues

Individuals working in public or private sector services who work with people - either as employees or customers of their services.

None