CSCI Publishes A New Equality And Diversity Good Practice Bulletin

One year after the introduction of a law establishing equality in services on the grounds of sexual orientation the CSCI has published the first in a series of three equality and diversity good practice bulletins.

These are designed to help service providers address the new personalisation agenda set out in the joint protocol Putting People First. This first bulletin builds on good practice to help social care providers make their services appropriate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, no matter what their sexual orientation.

Dame Denise Platt, CSCI Chair, said: “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people should feel safe, valued and have contact with their friends and communities. All of this is important for identity and self-esteem.”

Dame Denise continued: “People can only make choices if they are given the opportunity to direct their own care. This bulletin aims to encourage providers to fully understand their needs, and to work in partnership with them to achieve this.”

CSCI’s bulletin reports that 45% of lesbian, gay and bisexual people using social care services told CSCI that they had experienced discrimination. Leadership in services is needed to change the ethos: only 9% of registered services say they are taking specific action on equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

The bulletin also states that services must ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people feel welcome and able to “come out” if they wish. Services should review publicity, policies, assessment procedures and provide staff training on equality.

http://www.csci.org.uk/PDF/putting_people_first_equality_and_diversity_matters_1.pdf