Equality, diversity and inclusion in work with children and young people Essay

1. Understand the importance of promoting equality and diversity in work with children and young people. 1.1.Identify the current legislation and codes of practice relevant to the promotion of equality and valuing of diversity Each school must have set polices which is formed of guidance and procedures these don’t just mean that there for our teaching and learning that’s happening in the classrooms but all around the school and the school grounds. We must take in account of everyone’s individuality and as group. Before learning the policies of the school you work at it is handy that you recognise the purpose and legislation. This may help you with your role in the school and your own responsibility to policies and legislation. The children and young people’s rights are stated in the united nation’s convention on the right of child (1989) the uk government must make sure the children are protected trough law, the uk government say that the children have a right to education and the right for their own views to be respected. The special education needs code of practise 2001 This shows the outlines of statutory guidance and the procedures for the policy of children with special needs, this is likely to be changed by the children and young family’s bill 2013. Code of practice on the duty to promote race equality (2002) This code supports schools and the public services so that they can meet the duty that is set out for race relations act. All schools are required to write a written race equality policy. The school policies should demonstrate that there working towards the following outcomes:- †¢Reducing the space of educational achievement between the different ethnic groups †¢Improving the relationships between all different racial groups †¢Improving the behaviour of the pupils †¢Promoting more involvement of the parents and our local community †¢Ensuring that the staff working in the schools show social diversity of society †¢An admissions policy that does not discriminate Removing barriers to achievement: the government’s strategy foe SEN (2004) This shows a form of structure for schools to show achievement of children with special needs and disabilities. The documents show the governments expression for the education of children with special education needs or disabilities. These principles include the need for: †¢Early intervention †¢Removal of barriers †¢The delivery of improvements through partnerships across services †¢Raising achievement Disability equality scheme and access plan The disability discrimination act 2005 is an improvement on the 1995 act by require the schools to make a disability equality scheme (DES) this shows the way the schools to show positive attitudes to the pupils, staff and others with disabilities. There must also be an action plan, this plan should show the discriminatory barriers are removed for example: †¢An improvement to the physical environment, like ramps, lifts, lighting and the way the room is laid out †¢providing information in different ways for children with disabilities, such as audio, pictorial and larger print School policies Most schools has a mission statement that sets out the commitment of the schools to the inclusion and equality of opportunity. Each school must have written policies to the reflect of the rights and responsibilities of those in the school. Policies should show guidance for the staff and visitors to the schools. There is a number of different policies or they can be combined but must include the ways that the school should work in relation to: †¢Cultural diversity/ race †¢Inclusive practise/ equality of opportunity †¢Bullying/safeguarding †¢Gifted and talented pupils †¢Special educational needs †¢Disability and access There are different ways the schools promote the rights of equality and opportunity for the children and young people should be included in the policy. There is now a huge focus on the outcomes that is difference the legislations have made to the individuals and groups within the schools. Ofsted make judgement about the schools inclusiveness. It is important that you are up to date with the polices because they change every so often due to the outcomes. 1.2 Describe the importance of supporting the rights of all children and young people to participation and equality of access. Each pupil has every right to a widely diverse and equally balanced curriculum. Teaching and learning must be of very high quality. Each student should have an equal curriculum regardless of their race, background, gender and disabilities. So that your or aware of the importance of supporting the rights of children and young people, it is best if you look into more detail at the outcomes of legislation, codes of practise and policies. On inclusion children and young people can raise achievement and promote self-identity and also great relationships through the participation of policies. Raising achievement Improving access to the curriculum will make a huge difference to the personal achievements set by children and young people. Studies have shown that some children and young people have not met the levels they were expected to. The children that have the most concerns are children and young people from black and minority ethnic cultures they are vulnerable due to their economic and physical circumstances. This is sometimes known as an attainment gap. Equal opportunity does not mean that it’s just treating them  the same but also their curriculum. This includes the understanding of barriers. Before children fall behind its usually best for intervention strategies to be put in place like additional support at an early stage. High expiations of all pupils are important to raise their achievement. Improving participation Participation means that everyone within the school is involved. There are things like parents evening and student councils, these are opportunities to talk to pupils and their parents to talk to them about things like curriculum and things that are happening around the school and development. These can happen in classrooms, school halls and the pupils are usually asked how they learn their best, what could they improve and how they learn. Developing a sense of identity The schools should recognise and support the pupils and have access to everything that is happening in school. This should raise their self-esteem and give them the feeling that they belong there. When the children fully participate they usually feel valued for who they are and what they have done. And what they have achieved by acknowledging them and reflecting what they done was fantastic. Children and young people should have the opportunity to do independent learning. Children are more likely to be motivated and achieve full potential when they are making choices. Improving relationships between individuals and groups Your actions and attitude towards the children is important for e.g. fairness in what you do as they see you as a role model, the respect can be improved by your everyday contact with them. Children’s rights should be protected but they should know their responsibilities towards others. Opportunities are provided for all children to experience each other’s cultures and ethnic backgrounds, this is to ensure that they understand and value the social and cultural diversity in their own community as well as  around the world, culture can cut across nationalities and faiths and by recognizing and promoting cultural diversity and the differences of individuals and groups within school will enhance a child’s learning and promote knowledge and understanding of all pupils. Diverse cultures in schools should be acknowledged and reflected throughout the curriculum, by incorporating music, food and stories from a range a of cultures will not only contribute to a rich and more exciting curriculum but will demonstrate that the school not only values the culture of groups but also supports all their pupils to explore and understand cultures that are not their own. By supporting and encouraging children to understand and accept cultural diversity will also prevent stereotyping and decrease prejudice and discrimination within schools. Most importantly, it will prepare children and young people for numerous changes that will happen in their lives as adults where they will inevitably be involved in mixing with adults of different cultures and backgrounds. You could also add a reflective account of some event in your school for e.g. Chinese New Year.