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

Inclusive practice is identifying and understanding any barriers that are stopping children from completing the activity. We have to make sure that whatever the child’s background they are able to fully join in with everything within the school. This will make the children feel valued and have a sense of belonging.

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.

1.1 Identify the current legislation and codes of practise relevant to the promotion of equality and valuing of diversity.

Introducing the children to a greater environment with more cultural diversity is one way of confronting and eradicating

As a teacher when delivering any lessons planned we have to make sure that each students individual needs are met, so they will feel included in the lesson. “Inclusion is about creating interesting, varied and inspiring learning opportunities for all learners, ensuring all learners contribute and are never disadvantaged by methods, language or resources” Wilson (2008).

It is important to support the rights of all children to equality of access and participation as every child is entitled to the same opportunity of education, it is their

Page 5 - 1.1 - Identify the current legislation and codes of practice relevant to the promotion of equality and valuing diversity

Identify the current legislation and code of practice relevant to the promotion of equality and valuing of diversity.

The organizations where I work promote equality, diversity and inclusion in both policy and practice. Staffs should regularly be reminded the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in day to day practice. Staff should respect the choice, preference, ethnicity, origin, rights, and wishes of service users. Care staff should be allocated to service user to make sure that

Thousand, J. & Villa, R. A. (2000). Inclusion: Welcoming, valuing, and supporting the diverse learning needs of all students in shared general education environments. Special Services in the Schools 15(1/2), 73-108.

The philosophy behind inclusion is the need to have children with disabilities and disorders that affect their learning experience to have equal learning opportunities

A clear consensus has yet to be reached on the most appropriate way to implement inclusion into the classroom. Nonetheless, inclusion is the future of education and it is important to understand all of the encouragements as well as the concerns within this subject, in order to develop the best learning environment for each student’s individual needs.

Goal: Develop social skills to help him better integrate into each environment and function at an appropriate level with his peers.

While inclusion may not be for every child out there, the benefits greatly out evaluate the negatives, thus why an inclusive classroom has been more and more pushed as the way to go for education of younger children. Inclusion programs must provide all students with access to a challenging, engaging and flexible curriculum that helps them to be successful in society. When a child is in an inclusive classroom, it is extremely important for the parents and teacher to have a complete understanding of each other and have the ability to be contacted whenever possible, at a reasonable hour. When a child enters into an inclusive classroom the support materials that are necessary for the child to learn best are brought to the child, rather that the child going from room to room throughout the day. This way the child and teaching team are taking advantage of every minute they have together during the day. Curricular inclusion requires the involvement of all children in the same daily learning events and as such careful thought and preparation are essential. When the resources were not brought to the child and the child had to go to the resources that child had to spend their day going from room to room and wasting several precious minutes.

Inclusion views the children as of equal worth where they can all reach their full potential with the right support. Therefore, it reduces exclusion, discrimination, and barriers to learning and participation. The planning of activities are based on the children’s best interests and responds to their strengths and needs. It also includes being flexible and responsive to change. This helps the children to participate in the activities, are recognized as individuals with specific strengths and needs, feel safe, form friendships, and value diversity