Model behavior that promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion

4.7 Model behavior that promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion

Course: NVQ Level 4 Diploma In Health And Social Care (RQF)

Unit 4: Equality and diversity in health, social care, or children’s and young people’s settings

LO4: Be able to work in a way that supports equality, diversity, and inclusion

Modelling behaviour that supports equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is key in health and social care settings – especially at NVQ Level 4, where professionals are expected to be role models. This supports compliance with rules, regulations and legislation, e.g., the Equality Act 2010 and the Care Quality Commission, and helps create respectful, productive environments for staff and service users.

1. Lead Inclusively

As a lead practitioner, your behaviour role models the climate. Implement and follow organisational policies related to EDI, use inclusive language when addressing patients and colleagues, and challenge any discriminatory comments/behaviour immediately. Be fair in decision-making – treat everyone the same regardless of their protected characteristics. Consider how your decisions could impact diverse groups.

2. Maintain a Person-Centred Approach

Always involve service users in decision-making related to their care. When discussing 'someone', include them in the discussion rather than just discussing them – this is evidence of respecting, valuing and including them.

3. Engage in Reflective Practice and Continuous Learning

Look critically at your behaviour and attitudes to ascertain whether they genuinely promote EDI. Identify unconscious biases and seek to record potentially discriminatory practice. Continue to build your cultural competence – a never-ending journey of development in awareness, knowledge and skills, particularly important for promoting less inequitable provision of care.

4. Equip and Educate your Team

Take the lead in team meetings and make EDI discussion a priority. Lead education sessions, training, role-plays, or feedback from supervision almost every week that reinforce inclusive practice. Be an equality champion. Promote respectful practice, stop gossip before it starts, and recognise everyone on the team for their contributions.

5. Regularly Review Progress and Encourage Feedback

Frequently check in about how your team and setting are aligning with the principles of EDI. Ask for feedback from staff and service users that can help you improve or help them sustain their progress.

In conclusion, modelling EDI practice requires ethical leadership, self-awareness, cultural competence, mentoring others, and self-assessment while making ongoing improvements. When you model EDI behaviour by putting these pretending practices into action, you provide a foundation for a more inclusive, respectful and equitable care environment.