East Sussex Personalisation Conference 1th May 2012 Dignity and Diversity Claire Debenham ESCC Larry Maurice ESCC Ken Ashworth and Derek Andrews, Eastbourne Rainbow

Today’s workshop Context for diversity and dignity in social care today Professional framework What people tell us matters Discussion about the challenges and opportunities for you- resources, ways forward.

Equality Act 2010 Public Sector duties Responsibilities of employers and service providers Individual employee responsibilities in law Who is protected? Everyone! http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/

Protected characteristics (rather than people!) Age Disability (includes dementia) Ethnicity Gender Gender identity Which of these are invisible differences? Marriage and civil partnership Pregnancy and maternity Religion and belief Sexual orientation

Facts about East Sussex-overall population about 509,900 People with dementia GPs report 7 per 1000 people of all ages (3834) Expected prevalence is 39 per 1000 (8654) http://www.eastsussexjsna.org.uk Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual (LGB) people Estimated as 5-7% of the population 25,495- 35,693 people of all ages 6,628-9,280 men and women of ‘pensionable age’

How are dignity and diversity linked? Allport’s Scale Antilocution- negative thoughts, jokes, language, often thought harmless Avoidance: People are actively avoided or left out. No direct harm may be intended, but harm is done through isolation. Discrimination: acting on prejudices and stereotyping by denying people opportunities and services - putting prejudice into action

ESCC Nursing and residential care outcomes framework 2011 To treat people as individuals and promote each person’s dignity, privacy and independence. To acknowledge and respect people’s gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, race, religion, culture and lifestyle.

Individuality and Diversity Outcome 3: Service Users experience that they are valued as individuals. Person-centred care means supporting self-esteem and a sense of identity. Staff show awareness of gender, race, religion, culture, language, sexuality, impairment, age, communication needs and choice as to personal identity. and work with the residents and each other from a clear diversity perspective. They identify and remove or lower any barriers to participation in the community, ensuring that they do not create such barriers themselves (social model of disability).

Dignity- Social Care Related Quality Of Life (SCRQOL) domains Control over daily life Dignity Occupation Social participation and involvement Safety Personal cleanliness and comfort Accommodation cleanliness and comfort Food and nutrition

What do they tell us about what really matters? Personal stories What do they tell us about what really matters?

Staff need clear policies, support and advice ‘It is the organisation that needs to ‘come out’ as gay or lesbian friendly rather than depending upon clients to ‘come out’ in order to get their needs met’ (Age Concern- Opening Doors, 2001) Older LGB people find it difficult to access appropriate care and support, whether from community based or residential facilities. Younger disabled people need support, understanding and recognition-they are more likely to ‘come out’ to staff than their families.

Good practice in action: a team approach “We found that after we took a stronger approach as a staff team, when Mrs H made comments about ‘those awful queers’, some of the other residents used to tick her off too. One of the residents told me in confidence that her brother had been ‘that way’ and it upset her to hear these unkind comments. Mrs H did stop after a while, because she knew she was not going to get away with it. One of our colleagues, who was a lesbian herself, really appreciated that we took this on as a whole team. It made her feel more comfortable at work too.” (Age Concern The Whole of Me 2006)

Thank you Claire Debenham, Service Development Manager- Equality Claire.debenham@eastsussex.gov.uk 01273 481386 Larry Maurice Senior Monitoring Officer, Quality Monitoring Team Larry.maurice@eastsussex.gov.uk 01323 464207