1. Equality, Diversity & Rights in Dementia Care Practice
Challenging Oppressive and Discriminatory Practice

2. Challenging oppressive and discriminatory practice
Good care practice = anti-discriminatory practice
It is important to challenge discriminatory behaviour when it happens

3. Challenging oppressive and discriminatory practice
If the oppression is ignored and not opposed, this is the same as accepting it, and it will be reinforced in the minds of the oppressor and the oppressed.

4. Challenging oppressive and discriminatory practice
To challenge oppression, a care worker must be aware of their own beliefs and prejudices, and have examined them.

5. Challenging oppressive and discriminatory practice
Care workers have to be confident in their knowledge of the rights of service users and of their values.
As well as necessary laws, codes of practice and procedures which support them.

6. Challenging oppressive and discriminatory practice
To support service users, care workers should be aware of policies such as the complaints procedures, as well as the role of support groups and statutory bodies such as:
The Equal Opportunities Commission
The Commission for Racial Equality
The Disability Rights Commission
The Data Protection Commissioner

7. Challenging oppressive and discriminatory practice
It is necessary to have an assertive approach, as challenging people over discriminatory behaviour may lead to defensiveness, and possibly even aggression.

8. Challenging oppressive and discriminatory practice
It is important that care workers challenging discriminatory behaviour know how they can get support from colleagues and within the management structure of their organisation.