Gill 1

Equality, diversity & inclusion in work with children & young people.

  1)

  1.1
      Areas of legislation are ever changing but it is important to be able to identify current and relevant aspects of those which promote equality and value diversity.

      Every Child Matters 2003 and Children Act 2004

      These were put in place to ensure that all organisations and agencies involved with children between birth and 19 years should work together to ensure that children have the support needed to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well - being. The acronym SHEEP can help you remember this :

    • Stay safe
    • Healthy
    • Enjoy and achieve
    • Economic well – being
    • Positive contribution

      Following the Every Child Matters framework, the Children Act 2004 required that these recommendations become a legal requirement. The key aspect of the act was to overhaul child protection and children’s services in the U.K. Every child matters has been further developed through the publication of the Children’s Plan 2007 which sets out to improve educational outcomes for all children.

      Race Relations Act 1976 and 2000

      The race relations act places a statutory duty on schools to promote race equality. It makes it against the law for a person to be discriminated against, whether directly or indirectly. Schools are expected to improve the educational achievements of all children and to promote equal opportunities and good relations between different racial groups. Schools are also required to have a race equality policy which is linked to an action plan.

      Disability Discrimination Act 1995/2005

      This made it illegal for services such as shops and employers to discriminate against disabled people. According to the Disability Discrimination Act, a person has a disability if (s)he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term...