module specification

On this module you will study theories and concepts of diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion within health and social care practice, fostering both a theoretical understanding and practical application of these principles.  These will be achieved through lectures, seminars and case study simulations and critical reflections, which help bridge the gap between theory and practice. These activities will enable you to explore how your learning translates to real world settings and shapes your approach to working with diverse individuals in health and social care contexts. You will critically engage with relevant policies legislations, codes of practice and professional frameworks relating to issues of social justice in health and social care. Additionally, you will examine professional roles and skills including communication, teamwork and integrated care essential in challenging inequalities and implementing ethical, anti-discriminatory, and anti-oppressive practice.  By examining diverse identities and experiences shaped by class, race, culture, gender, religion, language, sexual orientation, age and disability, you will develop a reflective understanding of the challenges individuals face in accessing and experiencing care. This exploration will also focus on approaches to supporting individuals effectively and working inclusively with people from diverse backgrounds. You will be provided with opportunities to reflect on your own identity, lived experiences and personal and professional aspirations, and will be encouraged to keep a reflective journal of your learning throughout the module. 

This module aims to:

- Introduce policies, legislations, professional frameworks and codes of practice  relevant to promoting diversity, equality and ethical practice in health and social care

- Explore concepts of equality, equity, inclusion and diverse identities while addressing stigmatisation, labelling, stereotyping and discrimination

- Develop student’s self-awareness and reflective skills to understand how their identities, experiences and values can impact their practice

- Equip students with the tools to implement anti-oppressive and person centred approaches while addressing inequalities in health and social care 

- Build academic and professional skills, including critical thinking, communication and reflective practice to support lifelong learning and career development.

Some of the key areas that will be studied include:

- Understanding diversity in Health and Social Care: explore concepts of equality, equity, diversity and inclusion; impact of social, cultural and structural factors on inequality and access in health and social care (LO1, LO2)

- Legal and professional frameworks: examine relevant legislations,, policies, professional codes and frameworks promoting ethical, inclusive and anti-discriminatory practice (LO1, LO4)

- Social factors and diverse identities: including class, ‘race’, gender, culture, language, spirituality and religion, sexual orientation, age and disability using intersectional analysis (LO1, LO2)

- Addressing inequality in practice: understanding and challenging stereotype, labelling, discrimination and stigmatisation and develop strategies to advocate for inclusion and empower individuals (LO2, LO4)

- Anti-oppressive and ethical practice: applying ethical principles, integrated care and person-centred approaches to inclusive health and social care, promoting anti-oppressive professional practice  (LO3, LO4)

- Reflection and self-awareness: build self-awareness through reflective exercises to evaluate how personal values, attitudes can shape professional practice (LO3)

The module curriculum will be addressed through a programme of lectures, seminars and workshops. Seminars will be relational, inter-active/discussion forums, with group activities to address specific topics, and enabling a venue for reflection, discussion and peer-learning. You will also benefit from a blended learning approach through the use of Web Learn for access to learning resources, links to e-books, on-line discussions and self-assessment exercises such as reflective tasks.

Reflection and discussion are key to the module’s learning design and will be in the context of inter-active workshops and exercises incorporated into web-based materials. Module staff will be available to provide face-to-face, telephone, and email support to students during and outside timetabled sessions.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of relevant legislations and policies, explaining their role in promoting equality, equity, diversity and inclusion in health and social care.

2. Consider the impact of stigmatisation, labelling, stereotyping and discrimination and discuss their implication for diverse identities and experiences in health and social care practice.

3. Reflect on personal values, attitudes and experiences, identifying how these influence professional practice and contribute to addressing inequalities and promoting inclusion. 

4. Identify the professional role in promoting ethical and anti-oppressive practice and challenging inequalities

No Tallis link yet as module is yet to start in September 2025 but it will be infomed by some literature from the below:

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/7EF673EE-98EF-99D1-96B6-0F94B65FC1DD.html?lti1p3LaunchId=lti1p3_launch_679be468036b51.27164853&existingResourceLinkId=8776001a-884f-45d9-bf1b-21e12acc4eef&lti1p3LinkType=resource_link&login=1

Okeze-Tirado, V. (2023) D.I.V.E.R.S.I.T.Y.: A Guide to Working with Diversity and Developing Cultural Sensitivity. London: Jessica Kingsley Publisher

Thompson, N. (2019) Promoting Equality, Valuing Diversity: A Learning and Development Manual. 2nd edn. Hove: Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd.