ASSESSMENT TASK 1 - RESEARCH TASK

1. Provide a definition of the concept of diversity.

Diversity relates to differences between people in aspects such as culture, race and
ethnicity; disability; religious or spiritual beliefs; gender; generation; sexual orientation /
identity; and beliefs, attitudes and worldviews. For some people like specific populations who
can have unique social and cultural backgrounds that shape health response, these differences
may result in barriers to accessing or using services. For example, barriers such as a lack of
confidence, a lack of information or a belief that a service will not respond to their needs may
impede a person’s willingness or ability to access a service. It is important not to assume a
person’s preferences on the basis of their cultural background.
Individualised discussion needs to occur between health professionals and the client. This
means that health care professionals need an understanding of how social and cultural
background can influence health beliefs and practices.
2. Diversity means more than just acknowledging and/or tolerating differences. Identify
and briefly explain three (3) characteristics of someone who is implementing the
conscious practice of diversity into their workplace role.
 Become culturally competent. Take the time to learn about different cultures, races,
religions and backgrounds represented by your colleagues
 Treat people in a way they wish to be treated rather than the way you wish to be
treated.
 Observe diverse traditions, celebrations, and holidays from other cultures
3. Provide a description of the following:
a. cultural awareness - knowing, embracing, accepting, adapting and respecting one's
cultural values, beliefs and perception
b. cultural safety - it is an accepted and safe environment for people in which they are
embraced for who they are, with no judgement, assault and challenge of their
identity.
c. cultural competence - it is a combination of different behaviours, attitudes and
policies in one organization, group or community that enable the people or
professionals around the certain group to work dynamically effective with respect
and love.
4. Reflect on the concepts of cultural awareness, cultural safety, and cultural
competence. Please answer the following questions:

a. In the space provided below, explain how cultural awareness, cultural safety and
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 cultural competence impact the role of Support Workers when working with
clients, co-workers, and external agency staff members, all from diverse social
and cultural backgrounds.
Impact on the Work Environment and the Role of Support
Workers

Cultural This impacts support workers by becoming aware of the cultural values, beliefs,
Awareness and perceptions involving clients and even yourself to protect yourself and the
welfare of clients as well, to maintain integrity of duty of care.

Cultural Safety It is important that support workers work in a safe environment, as well as the
clients. There should be equal share of respect, where there is no assault,
challenge or denial of identity.
Cultural In a working environment, the system should be set wherein behaviours, attitudes
Competence and policies come together. Therefore, enabling a smooth, effective cross-cultural
work situation.

b. How you can improve upon your own self and social awareness? Provide one
example for each of the cultural components in the space provided below:
Cultural Component Ways to Improve Self and Social
Awareness
Practice sensitivity between different
Cultural Awareness cultures to become an effective member
in the workplace or social environment.
Cultural Safety Recognising, respecting and nurturing the
unique cultural identity of any individual
and safely meet their needs, expectations
and rights.
Cultural Competence Taking actions to expand our knowledge
about other cultures and how we use that
to shape services to those in need.

5. Answer the following questions about political and economic diversity in Australia,
and how these themes impact different areas of work and life.
a. How does the Australian Domestic Policy affect the work environment?
The Australian Domestic Policy covers different priorities that affect the lives
of all Australians, that includes provision of work to contribute to the growth of the
economy. Their work involves advising the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and
Portfolio Ministers on issues such as jobs and economic growth, the budget,
industry, infrastructure, agriculture, innovation, health, education and the
environment. Their aim is to provide the Government with high quality advice on
how to make Australia more prosperous, successful and stronger. They work with
stakeholders and departments across the public service to ensure the Government’s
economic, environmental and social initiatives are developed and implemented
effectively.

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 b. What impact on the community do political leaders have when making public
statements about diversity in Australia? Particularly when different political
figures hold such varying opinions?
The leaders are the public figure that the mass look up to. Whatever they say
can either make or break people. Australia is politically diverse because it has
parliamentary democracy which encompasses a range of political parties at various
levels, political leaders and political views. The impact on the community of
political leaders making public statements about diversity in Australia is it allows
people of one nation to establish a representative governance to have a saying on
the decision-making process that affects their livelihood. It brings diverse people
from different ethnic groups, regions and religions together to form a governing
body that respects, accepts and recognizes the human and political interests of all
stakeholders.
c. How has immigration contributed to economic diversity in Australia?
The key role that Australia’s immigrants played in this economic achievement
cannot be taken away. It is to promote a favourable view of the economic contribution
of the immigrants putting a positive economic spin on multiculturalism. The basic
proposition is that workforce is most effective when they are diverse as the local and
global environment in which the organization lives. Productive diversity is about
valuing and respecting the diverse nature of Australian society by encouraging the use
of the skills within a community for the benefit of the individual and business.
Cultural diversity is an essential attribute of successful organizations.
6. Answer the following questions about social and cultural diversity in Australia;
elaborate on how diversity may affect different areas of work and life:
a. How has immigration changed the cultural makeup of Australia over the past 3
decades?
Over the past three decades, Australia is likely to become increasingly diverse,
with immigrants continuing to influence Australia’s society, economy, and settlement
patterns. First, Australia began to experience substantial levels of unemployment with
structural change in the economy, the movement of manufacturing jobs away from
Australia, and the entry of the baby-boom cohorts into the labor force. Immigration
policy shifted from an emphasis on the recruitment of semi-skilled and skilled foreign
workers for manufacturing to a more complex program with four main components:
 Economic migration. Attraction of people with skills in demand in Australia.
 Family migration. Relatives of Australian residents. The specific regulations of this
part of the program have changed over the subsequent years.
 Refugee and humanitarian migration.
 Special
categories. The largest is New Zealanders who can move more or less freely
across the Tasman Sea.
b. How has population diversity impacted the workforce and care services in
Australia?
Population Diversity in the workplace means that you employ people from a
wide range of backgrounds. Working with a team of diverse employees will
enhance your workforce through different perspectives, experience and knowledge.
Research shows that diversity promotes:
 better work performance and productivity from employees
 more creative and innovative thinking among staff

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  improved staff health and wellbeing
 lower risk of discrimination and harassment in the workplace

7. Research Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and people to answer the
following questions:
a. Identify two (2) social, two (2) political, and two (2) economic issues affecting
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Provide one (1) example of a
program and/or project that the Australian Government or other initiative group
has implemented to address these issues.
Program and Projects (at
Aspect Issues (at least two per aspect) least one for each issue)

 impacts of the Stolen Generations and removal of children  Aborigines Protection

Social  discrimination based on race or culture Amending Act 1915
 Racial Discrimination Act
 Racism  Racial Discrimination Act
Political  unable to vote  1967 Referendum
Economic  Stolen wages  Discrimination Act 1975
 low literacy level  OCHRE Government
Plan for Aboriginal
Affairs
b. Read the key aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture (listed
below). Populate facts about the key aspects of your own culture, then identify the
potential
impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders due to these cultural differences.
Key aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander culture Key aspects of my own Potential impacts due to
culture cultural differences
Language
145 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are Language Language
spoken in Australia, however only 18 remain strong
(strong meaning they are spoken by people of all ages)

Social (Marriage)
Aboriginal people have complex social and marriage Social (Marriage) Social (Marriage)
laws, based on the grouping of people with their society.
Under Aboriginal law, a person cannot marry someone
else from within their group. This custom (where a
person has to marry outside their group) is called
exogamy.
Religion
Aboriginal religion, like other religions, is characterised Religion Religion
by having a god or gods who created people and the
surrounding environment during a particular creation
period at the beginning of time.
Aboriginal people are very religious and spiritual, but
rather than praying to a single god, each group generally
believes in a number of different deities. There is no
afterlife in Indigenous Australian religions, and no
heaven or hell.

History
Aboriginal people are the oldest surviving culture in the History History
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 world, having established ways of managing their land
and society that were sustainable and ensured good
health. They have occupied Australia for at least 60,000
years. Indigenous Australians were drastically impacted
by British colonisation, as disease, implementation of
land ownership and violence against these people
resulted in reduction of their overall population and
traditional culture.
The culture of the Philippines in regards to marriage gives a certain identity or adds to
something in who we are. The traditions that they hold represent how you follow Philippines'
values, beliefs, customs and their way of life. It also represents a deep relationship with God
as you fulfill another sacrament. In relation to the spiritual aspect, the Philippines is a
Catholic Country, therefore we only worship one God. In connection to that, marriages are
usually done in a ceremony with a priest and the family of both parties. We are allowed to
marry anyone outside of our race. As time passed by, the Philippine culture had adopted to
the changes.
Although Aboriginals are strict with regards to marrying outside of their race, what
we can do about it is to support and respect them. As mentioned, we are open and flexible to
any tradition.
c. Read the key aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture (listed below).
Populate facts about the key aspects of Western Systems and Culture, then identify the
potential impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders due to these cultural
differences.

Key aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Key aspects of Potential impacts due
culture Western to cultural
Systems and culture differences
Language
145 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are Language Language
spoken in Australia, however only 18 remain strong (strong
meaning they are spoken by people of all ages)
Social (Marriage)
Aboriginal people have complex social and marriage laws Social (Marriage) Social (Marriage)
based on the grouping of people within their society. Under
Aboriginal law, a person cannot marry someone else from
within their group. This custom, where a person has to marry
outside their group, is called exogamy.

Religion
Aboriginal religion, like other religions, is characterised by Religion Religion
having a god or gods who created people and the surrounding
environment during a particular creation period at the
beginning of time.
Aboriginal people are very religious and spiritual, but rather
than praying to a single god, each group generally believes in a
number of different deities. There is no afterlife in Indigenous
Australian religions and no heaven or hell.

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 History
Aboriginal people are the oldest surviving culture in the world, History History
having established ways of managing their land and society
that were sustainable while ensuring good health. They have
occupied Australia for at least 60,000 years. Indigenous
Australians were drastically impacted by British colonisation,
as disease, implementation of land ownership and violence
against these people resulted in reduction of their overall
population and traditional culture.

Lifestyle
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders were happier and Lifestyle Lifestyle
healthier because they led a simple life with few disruptions. If
they went out for a walk, it meant they were walking.
The used to eat real ‘bush’ food; food free from preservatives,
artificial sweeteners and genetically modified ingredients.
Food was seasonal and grown properly; with fewer pesticides
making it more nutritious.
Better Environment.
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders use to live in a healthier
environment with less pollution.
They led a more disciplined life. They ate on time and slept on
time.
Their immunity was better as they inhaled fresh air.
They had fewer distractions and mainly focused on work and
family.
Western culture is individualistic. Westerners pride themselves in having their own
unique individualities. They like to contemplate for themselves, and they value individualism.
Eastern culture, by contrast, tends to be much more socialist. This is where democracy and
individual rights come in; Westerners champion the notion that each person should be
unrestricted: free to have a political voice, free to express oneself, free to live as he or she
pleases.
Since the Western culture has been introduced to Australia centuries ago, it has
somehow incorporated with the current lifestyle of Aboriginals in general. Not only that, it
has also contributed in the changes that have evolved over time as regards the human rights
for Aboriginals' protection.
d. Explain four (4) issues that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face
when engaging with health services
 a lack of affordable health care services
 a lack of culturally appropriate services and information
 inaccessibility of buildings, services and information for people with disabilities
 shortages of general practitioners, specialist medical services, Aboriginal health
workers, and a range of other health services, particularly in rural and remote
areas, but also an issue in urban areas
8. Take into consideration the legal and ethical context of discrimination and answer the
following questions:
a. As a Support Worker, how do you ensure that you do not discriminate against
any clients?
 Keep an open-minded setting
 Learn to value the rights and needs of the clients
 Study the client's culture, tradition
 Respect client's preferences with religion, gender, etc.

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 b. Describe at least three (3) cultural biases or social expectations which may exist
when working with each of the following individuals. Identify the impact on the
individuals and the relevant Legislations, Acts or Laws that are proclaimed by
governments to help protect them.
Individual Biases and expectations Impact Relevant
laws/Act/Legislation
Someone of a young Younger people are thought as less Age discrimination gives a Age Discrimination Act
age experienced as compared to other negative impact on the 2004
people and also think that they are person’s self-esteem or
careless towards job and more mental health, or increased
engaged in other things. They are levels of stress.
also believed not good with
long-term works who are always
seeking for better opportunities.
Someone of an older Older generation people are thought Age discrimination gives a Age Discrimination Act
generation as slow and are not capable like the negative impact on the 2004
younger generation. They are person’s self-esteem or
ignorant of modern technology and mental health, or increased
are stuck in traditional way of levels of stress.
working process.
A person with a Treating a qualified individual with a The higher levels of Disability Discrimination
disability disability who is an employee or discrimination experienced Act 1992
applicant unfavourably because she by people with disabilities
has a disability. causes higher physical
responses such as high blood
pressure, which can be a
contributor to poor health
and wellbeing.
A Muslim woman Muslim women wearing hijab can be Negative experiences of Racial Discrimination Act
wearing a hijab discriminated by refusing to do intolerance and 1975
business with, socialize with, or discrimination and limit
share resources with. one’s employment
opportunities.
Someone who is Treating transgenders or intersex This impacts mental health Equality Act 2010
transgender or differently because of the sex, in which develops higher
intersex certain situations. anxiety levels, be more
prone to outbursts and
depression.

c. See below a list of four (4) Commonwealth Laws which exist to protect people
from discrimination. Research and populate the table with the eight (8) anti-
discrimination legistrations that exist on a state/territory level
Commonwealth laws State/territory laws

1 Australian State and Territory anti-discrimination laws prohibits

Age Discrimination Act 2004 both direct and indirect discrimination on the ground of age. 
Accordingly, an act of discrimination does not have to be linked to
an exact age but can be related to the age group of a person.
2 Every individual in the society shall strive by teaching and education
Universal Declaration of Human to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive
Rights measures, national and international, to secure their universal and
effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of
Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under

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 their jurisdiction. 
3 Racial Discrimination Act 1975 Promote equality before the law for all people irrespective of race,
colour or national or ethnic origin. It is unlawful to discrimination
against people on the basis of race, colour, descent or national or
ethnic origin
4 Sex Discrimination Act 1984 Protect people from biased treatment on the basis of their sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, intersex status, marital or relationship
status, pregnancy and breastfeeding. It also defends workers with
family responsibilities and makes sexual harassment against the law
5 Australian Human Rights Protect and promote human rights in Australia. Conciliating
Commission Act 1986 discrimination complaints, hold public inquiries, and develop
education resources for schools and workplaces
6 The Disability Discrimination Act A Disabled person is treated less favourably than a non-disabled and
1992 they are treated this way for a reason arising from their disability,
and. the treatment cannot be justified
7 Racial Hatred Act 1995 Promotes equality before the law for all people regardless of race,
colour or national or ethnic origin. It is unlawful
to discrimination against people on the basis of race, colour, descent
or national or ethnic origin
8 Equal Opportunity for Women in the The legislation aims to improve and promote equality for both
Workplace 1999 women and men in the workplace.

d. What strategies should you adopt when facilitating an individual support plan to
ensure you do not discriminate against a client?
 Pay close attention to interactions with other people. 
 Use a gentle self-hypnosis audio download to improve your ability to understand
others.
 Identify other people's emotional states. 
 Love myself and be surrounded by people who matters the most to me like my
family.
 Improve listening skills.
e. What are the consequences to you as a staff member if you discriminate
(intentionally or unintentionally) against a client?
Your character as a person will be change and affect the people around you
especially the residents that you may be working in the future. Also, your work will be
in line if you discriminate a client.
9. Look up the Universal Declaration of Human Rights document and describe what it
is, according to the preamble. Identify four (4) main defining points from the preamble.
(Short)
 Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of
all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in
the world,

 Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts
which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which
human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and
want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
 Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last
resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be
protected by the rule of law,

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  Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between
nations
10. What is the relationship between Human Needs and Human Rights? Provide a brief
explanation.
A 'human needs' approach appeals to charity, while a 'human rights' approach
translates need into a matter of entitlement with dignity. Human needs are tangible and
intangible possessions that humans will not survive without, like food and water.
Human rights are tangible and intangible possessions that humans are entitled to by virtue of
being human.
Human rights involve responsibility and duties toward other people and the community.
Individuals often have a responsibility to ensure that they exercise their rights with due
regard for the rights of others. Rights are related to the values that societies live by. These
values have their origins in the world’s great religions and philosophies. Value systems can
vary in detail between one society and another but the fundamental ideas are very similar.
Concepts of justice and human dignity are at the heart of these values.
Human needs are commonly used to refer to the drivers of peoples’ actions, the
motives behind human behavior. Other uses of the concept include needs as instruments to
achieve a certain goal and needs as societal requirements to flourish or experience a good
life.
11. How does a person-centred approach in a Nursing/Residential Care environment
relate to human rights and various alike legislations in Australia?
A person-centred approach recognise and respect everyone’s differences. Individuals are
empowered to do activities for themselves and their dignity be treated in a respectful way.
People are supported to be independent as much as possible in all aspects of community that
they choose and viewed. Human rights principles and standards provide guidance about
what should be done to achieve freedom and dignity for all.
12. Australia is a party to the seven (7) major human rights treaties; (Medium)
a. List these treaties in the Australian Human Rights Frameworks.
 the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
 the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
 the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination (CERD)
 the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
(CEDAW)
 the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment (CAT)
 the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
 The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
b. List three (3) different approaches/instruments used in the workplace which help
ensure people’s human rights and needs are being accounted for
 Participation - it must be active, free, meaningful and give attention to issues of
accessibility, including access to information in a form and language which can
be understood.
 Accountability - requires effective monitoring of human rights standards as well
as effective remedies for human rights breaches.
 Non-discrimination and equality - a human rights-based approach means that all
forms of discrimination the realisation of rights must be prohibited, prevented and

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 eliminated. It also requires the prioritisation of those in the most marginalised
situations who face the biggest barriers to realising their rights.
13. Answer the following questions regarding the rights and responsibilities of the
following parties. List two
(2) rights and two (2) responsibilities for the following stakeholders; (Medium)
a. Support Worker
Responsibilities
 To deliver excellent services, to work within an environment that supports
them to achieve this. 
 Be prepared for anything in their role of lead investigator, client advocate and
coordinator
Rights
 Right to be treated fairly
 Right to be treated with dignity and respect
b. The employer
Responsibilities
 Provide supervision and training
 Provide information about hazards and risk from work
Rights
 Access to information related to potential hazards
 Refuse to work when you have reasonable grounds to believe there is a risk of
imminent and serious injury or harm to health
c. The client
Responsibilities
 Provide accurate information about one’s illness or problem to enable proper
evaluation and treatment
 Attend the service in a fit state
Rights
 Be treated in a professional manner
 Expect that personal privacy will be respected and confidentiality protected to
the greatest extent permitted by law
d. What are the appropriate actions when rights are being infringed or
responsibilities not being carried out by any of the parties listed above?
 having a complaint mechanism in place
 having a corporate awareness of what constitutes discrimination
 taking the matter seriously once an internal complaint is received
 acting promptly (including investigating the internal complaint)
 providing the complainant with a healthy work environment
 Communicating to the complainant its actions in response to the complaint.
14. Provide a description of the characteristics for each of the key areas of diversity
(listed below).
Key areas of diversity Characteristics
Culture is the shared system of learned and shared
a. Culture race
values, beliefs and rules of conduct that make
ethnicity
people behave in a certain way.
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 Race as applied to people purely because of the way
they look.
Ethnicity is the sense of peoplehood when people
feel close because of sharing a similarity such as
physical, linguistic, behavioural and environmental
characteristics.
Total or partial loss of a part of the body.
b. Disability
Malfunction, malformation
Disorder, illness or disease
Religious beliefs include practices/rituals such as
c. Religious or spiritual beliefs
prayer or meditation and engagement with religious
community members.
d. Gender, including transgender Presenting and acknowledging identity

Intersex people are individuals born with any of

e. Intersex
several variations in sex characteristics
Having people of a wide range of different ages
f. Generational
represented in the workplace.
Third gender
g. Sexual orientation /sexual identity including
Cross dresser
● Lesbian Third sex
Pansexual
● Gay
Agender
● Bisexual
● Transgender
● Queer
● Questioning
● 2-spirit
● Heterosexual

15. In the context of Nursing/Residential Care, what resources can an organisation

provide to their staff to help embrace diversity? Provide an example for each key area
of diversity listed below:

Key areas of diversity Characteristics

Diversity policy is a statement and organisation’s values when it

a) Culture, race, ethnicity
comes to making your workplace a more inclusive place to be. It’s
also a formal written promise to your current employees and
future employees that your organisation will put anti-
discriminatory practices in place and does what you can to foster
equal opportunity. 
It means understanding that each individual is unique, and
b) Disability
recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the
dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-
economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political
beliefs, or other ideologies. 
Health providers may not take religious beliefs into account when
c) Religious or spiritual beliefs
they are dealing with difficult medical decisions for patients and
their families.
The aim of providing culturally competent health care services is
d) Gender, including
to provide consistent quality of care to every patient, regardless of
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 their Gender, including the transgender background.
transgender
The Silver Rainbow LGBTI Aged Care Awareness Training
e) Intersex
Project offers a list of organisations responsible to deliver
training, relevant to your state or territory.
The National LGBTI Health Alliance has been engaged to
deliver a national roll-out of LGBTI sensitivity training for
people who work in aged care. 
The training will raise awareness across the aged care sector of
LGBTI people and their ageing related issues, and provide the
knowledge and skills basis for organisations and their staff to
become more LGBTI inclusive.
Cultural competence is the capability of health providers and
f) Generational
organizations to deliver health care services that meet the cultural,
social, and religious needs of patients and their families.
Culturally competent care can improve patient quality and care
outcomes. Strategies to move health professionals and systems
towards these goals include providing cultural competence
training and developing policies and procedures that decrease
barriers to providing culturally competent patient care
Individuals residing in nursing homes have the same rights to be
g) Sexual orientation /sexual
free from discrimination and harassment as individuals living in
identity including:
the larger community. In addition, they have rights and
● Lesbian
protections provided by federal nursing home regulations and
● Gay state and federal anti-discrimination provisions. The rights of all
residents should be honoured and respected, regardless of sexual
● Bisexual
orientation or gender identity or expression. Understanding your
● Transgender rights, learning about ways to solve problems, and knowing how
to get help if issues arise is the first step in ensuring quality care.
● Queer The federal nursing home regulations provide the following
● Questioning resident rights and facility requirements that may be of particular
importance to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individuals
● 2-spirit living in a nursing home. State nursing home regulations and
● Heterosexual various anti-discrimination laws may provide additional
protections.
16. Answer the following questions about marginalised groups in Australia. (Medium)
a. What are the five domains of disadvantage?
 Social distress
 Health community safety
 Economic
 Education
 Access data from a large range of sources
b. What are the indicators of these domains that contribute to marginalisation?
 Community disadvantage comes about as a result of the complex interplay
between the characteristics of residents living in a community for example
unemployment, low income) and the effects of the social and environmental
context within the community weak social networks, relative lack of
opportunities.
 The idea that economic factors alone are the foundation for advantage and
disadvantage undermines the complexity and scope of disadvantage. This view
also erroneously implies that economic solutions alone are an adequate
response to disadvantage.

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  A number of new perspectives have recently emerged that highlight the
multifaceted nature of disadvantage and demand a more sophisticated
response to it.
 In addition to theoretical advances, there have also been advances in the
measurement of community advantage and disadvantage.
 Advances in theoretical understandings and means to measure community
disadvantage increase the potential for policy-makers to develop effective
public policy. For practitioners, these advances have the potential to enable
more in-depth understandings of clients’ needs and experiences.
c. What are the potential impacts on an individual who experiences any of the
following; discrimination, trauma, exclusion and negative attitudes?
Severe psychological distress which may lead to suicide.
d. When assisting marginalised Australians who have entered care, what addition
considerations need to be taken into account in regard to physical, mental and
emotional health issues?
Checking and acknowledging the marginalised Australians physical, mental
and emotional health issues. In addition to physical symptoms, people who are at a
palliative stage often experience emotional symptoms, such as anxiety, loneliness,
depression and anger, which are all associated with grief. It is important to be aware
of any religious or spiritual beliefs or rituals a person may have during their
palliative care and after death. As we can’t know all cultural beliefs and practices in
relation to palliative care, death and dying, we should ask the older person and their
family what is important to them. All people should be provided with the
opportunity to express and live as their chosen gender identity during palliative care.

e. Marginalised Australians have specific needs which relate to a sense of security.

Name two (2) protective factors (e.g.: structured access to free education primary
education) which assist a marginalised person in Australia to feel included in
Society?
Primary and Secondary education in Australia is delivered through both and
non-government providers. State and Territory governments have major responsibility
for government school education and contribute substantially to funds for non-
government schools. Second is the vast majority of marginalised people receive
income support (particularly the Disability Support Pension, Newstart unemployment
benefits or Parenting Payment Single) and are reliant on this support for the majority
of their income. As a result, their equalised disposable income is substantially below
that of the rest of the population.
17. Provide two (2) examples of resources that support individuals and organisations to
embrace and respond to diversity.
 Australian Multicultural Foundation
 Diversity Health Institute Clearinghouse
18. Describe how the use of imagery in the workplace can increase an appreciation of
diversity?
Use of imagery such as posters, pictures, cartoons and videos help in promoting
awareness of diversity but if properly used in representing employees of different ages,
physical characteristics and abilities.

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 19. Explain what a language interpreter is and under what circumstances your
organisation would use one for language and cultural purposes? (Short)
 An interpreter facilitates communication between client(s) and the English
speaker(s) by transferring their utterances from one language to another as
accurately as possible and in an unbiased and non-judgemental manner.
 An accredited interpreter or translator should be used when:
o A person, carer or family member requests an interpreter
o A staff member cannot understand the information being conveyed by a
person, carer or family member.
o A person, carer or family member does not fully understand what is being
said because of difficulty in communicating in English.
20. Answer the following questions about what impact the increase in population
diversity can have on a person’s personal behaviour, interpersonal relationships, and
perception and social expectations of others in the workplace. (Short)
a. personal behaviour - there is a legislation that aids in ensuring that prejudice and
unfair treatment of other people are addressed. This may influence personal
behaviour such as name calling
b. interpersonal relationships - increased diversity and acceptance of other cultures
had increased relationships between people of different cultures, which further
reduces stigma and prejudice and increases understanding.
c. perception and social expectations of others in the workplace - individuals bring
a number of differences to work. They have a variety of personalities, values, and
attitudes. When they enter into organizations, their stable or transient characteristics
affect how they behave and perform. Moreover, companies hire people with the
expectation that they have certain knowledge, skills, abilities, personalities, and
values.
21. The following question requires you to read the information provided below, then
complete the following self-reflection table regarding your own social/cultural
perspectives and biases.
There can be many reasons why you might feel awkward around people in a
healthcare setting. You may not be accustomed to being around various groups of
people; or you may even have grown up in a family/school/community that
encouraged conflict with people who were different in some way. Spend some time
thinking about how human differences have made you feel uncomfortable in the
past.
Sometimes it is difficult to identify these assumptions, because we think of them as
true; or we do not recognise our inherited attitudes. Being objective about your
personal biases may not be an easy task, but it can be valuable to identify any
preconceptions you may have about people from other cultural backgrounds. This
will improve your compassion whilst carrying out your role as a Nurse/ Support
Worker. Remember that there are many instances in life where differences can be
amicably expressed.

a. After reflecting on your personal biases, describe two (2) types of

people/situations that may make you feel awkward or uncomfortable due to
cultural differences:

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 Characteristics Example 1 Example 2
Type of person / situation you feel Intensely religious people Black - African people
uncomfortable around.
How are they different from you?  Too religious Tall/ huge body
 Some religion may be racist on some
races, gender identity, culture, etc.
 Difference in the view of life, beliefs,
relationship, marriage standards, etc.
Why do you think you feel  Religious people often insist that gay  Talking loudly in public areas/
uncomfortable around them? people choose to be gay. Most of us transports
rational people interpret the term
"choosing to be gay" as being able to
choose their identity.
 Their temper may change as time
passes by.
 Different opinions when discussing
about some topics.

Do you think you feel this way This may be due to a result of diversity. This may be due to a result of diversity.
a) due to personal experiences
OR
b) as a result of diversity?
List some similarities between Living in a modernized era.  Having unique characteristics
yourself and this group of people.  Social
 Friendly

b. List at least five (5) ‘Strategies’ that you can act on, or participate in, to
improve your social awareness and reduce your cultural biases. Identify a ‘Short
Term’ and ‘Long Term’ improvement for each strategy that you could implement
in order to achieve it.
Strategies Short Term Improvements Long Term Improvements
1. Set Expectations and Survey questions you should consider Keep the conversation going.
Gather Feedback

2. Encourage Elective Voluntary programs Maintain a supportive dialogue.

Participation
3. Build Bias Awareness Test works via word-picture association to measure Perspective-taking - putting yourself
unconscious biases toward certain groups in another person’s shoes and
focusing on how his or her
experiences in a given situation will
be different from your own.
4. Reduce Opportunities for Re-think self-evaluation Widening the net when recruiting.
Bias Through Structure
5. Measure & Experiment Follow-up surveys Setting an ultimate goal to build an
inclusive workplace that facilitates
fairer processes and decisions.

22. In the Nursing /Residential Care profession, it is likely that you will encounter
people of different race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. It is important to have
an understanding of appropriate terminologies which relate to these differences so that
JULIET SARMIENTO - 10188 CHCDIV001 WORK WITH DIVERSE PEOPLE 15
 you can accept and understand the diversity of your clients. Provide a definition for
each term listed in the table below:
Key areas of diversity Characteristics
Diversity policy is a statement and organisation’s values when it comes to
a) Culture, race, ethnicity
making your workplace a more inclusive place to be. It’s also a formal written
promise to your current employees and future employees that your
organisation will put anti-discriminatory practices in place and does what you
can to foster equal opportunity. 
It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our
b) Disability
individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity,
gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities,
religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. 
Health providers may not take religious beliefs into account when they are
c) Religious or spiritual beliefs
dealing with difficult medical decisions for patients and their families.
The aim of providing culturally competent health care services is to provide
d) Gender, including
consistent quality of care to every patient, regardless of their Gender,
transgender
including the transgender background.
The Silver Rainbow LGBTI Aged Care Awareness Training Project offers a
e) Intersex
list of organisations responsible to deliver training, relevant to your state or
territory.
The National LGBTI Health Alliance has been engaged to deliver a national
roll-out of LGBTI sensitivity training for people who work in aged care. 
The training will raise awareness across the aged care sector of LGBTI people
and their ageing related issues, and provide the knowledge and skills basis for
organisations and their staff to become more LGBTI inclusive.
Cultural competence is the capability of health providers and organizations to
f) Generational
deliver health care services that meet the cultural, social, and religious needs
of patients and their families. Culturally competent care can improve patient
quality and care outcomes. Strategies to move health professionals and
systems towards these goals include providing cultural competence training
and developing policies and procedures that decrease barriers to providing
culturally competent patient care
Individuals residing in nursing homes have the same rights to be free from
g) Sexual orientation /sexual
discrimination and harassment as individuals living in the larger community.
identity including:
In addition, they have rights and protections provided by federal nursing home
● Lesbian
regulations and state and federal anti-discrimination provisions. The rights of
● Gay all residents should be honoured and respected, regardless of sexual
orientation or gender identity or expression. Understanding your rights,
● Bisexual
learning about ways to solve problems, and knowing how to get help if issues
● Transgender arise is the first step in ensuring quality care. The federal nursing home
regulations provide the following resident rights and facility requirements that
● Queer may be of particular importance to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender
● Questioning individuals living in a nursing home. State nursing home regulations and
various anti-discrimination laws may provide additional protections.
● 2-spirit
● Heterosexual

23. The western system and structures can impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people in both a negative and positive aspects in relation to accessing services
in the community (for example, healthcare). Please discuss the importance of
engagement between western system and structure and the impact on indigenous
populations in Australia. (Short)
The people in custody, cultural engagement was significantly associated with non-
recidivism. The observed protective impact of cultural engagement is a novel finding in a
correctional context. Whereas identity alone did not buffer recidivism directly, it may have

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 had an indirect influence given its relationship with cultural engagement. The findings of the
study highlight the importance of culture for Indigenous people in custody and a greater need
for correctional institutions to accommodate indigenous cultural considerations.
 Engagement involves Indigenous agency and decision making, a deliberative and
negotiated process, not just information giving or consultation, and it starts early in
the program or project development.
 Engagement is based on Indigenous aspirations and priorities, within an Indigenous
framework, process, context and time frame; that is, it is an Indigenous-driven
process with government as facilitator/enabler within a framework of Indigenous
self-determination.
 Engagement builds on existing community governance structures and Indigenous
strengths and assets, rather than on deficits and gaps, in an empowering process, with
small achievements along the way to mutually agreed longer term goals.
 Power inequalities are recognised, and sincere attempts are made to share power,
through contracts or agreements; decision making processes and agreed conflict
resolution mechanisms are transparent. Unequal power in relationships can be
reduced by strong mutual accountability relationships in agreements.
24. Language barriers are commonly encountered in the Nursing / Ageing support
profession and it is important to have strategies to help deal with this. Please describe
how imagery may be used to assist a language barrier? (Short)
Language barriers are usually encountered in the ageing support profession, we can use
methods to avoid this. Imagery is one of them, it is a tool use to describe certain things so
that the person can easily understand or so that you will have a better communication.

25. Please complete the table below regarding Legislative Acts. Provide a description
for each of the following items: (Long)
● Objective of the Act
● Manifestation of Breach (example of the Act being broken)
● Impact on the Victim
● Consequence to the Perpetrator

Act Purpose in the context of the workplace Example of breaching the Acts
The Racial Discrimination Act Promotes equality before the law for all Not employing an individual
1975 people regardless of race, colour, based on their colour or race
national or ethnic origin.
The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 Seeks to eliminate discrimination Promoting an individual based on
involving dismissal of employees with gender.
family responsibilities and to eliminate Firing someone because they are
sexual harassment. pregnant
Australian Human Rights Covers the discrimination in Imprisonment of genuine asylum
Commission Act 1986 employment or occupation on the basis seeker.
of race, colour, sex, religion, political
opinion, social origin, age, criminal Not providing people with
record, impairment, etc. disability with adequate services.
The Disability Discrimination Act Seeks to eliminate discrimination Paying less someone because
1992 against people with disabilities they are disabled.
Racial Hatred Act 1995 Allows people to complain about Creating a website that denied
publicly offensive or abusive behaviour holocaust and vilified Jewish
based on racial hatred. people was considered unlawful.
Age Discrimination Act 2004 Prohibits discrimination in employment Not employing younger workers

JULIET SARMIENTO - 10188 CHCDIV001 WORK WITH DIVERSE PEOPLE 17

 on the basis of age. because of assumptions that they
will quickly move on to another
job.
Equal Opportunity for Women in Promotes equal opportunity for women Choosing to hire a man instead of
the Workplace 1999 in workplace agency and other related a woman, because of the thinking
purposes. that man can do better job
compared to woman.
Universal Declaration of Human The Universal Declaration of Human a baby born in the Woomera
Rights Rights sets down in Article 1 that “All detention centre to asylum seeker
human beings are born free and equal in parents did not get a nationality,
dignity and rights.” This right to freedom deliberately designed by
and equality does not change as we grow Australia's laws to make it
older. Older men and women have the impossible for the parents to argue
same rights as everyone else. in a court, that because the child
has an Australian nationality, they
have grounds for a successful
claim

REFERENCES

https://www.prb.org/internationalmigrationtransformsaustralia/
https://www.business.gov.au/People/Hiring/Equal-opportunity-and-diversity
CHCDIV001 PPT
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/news/news73183.html
https://humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/content/education/understanding_human_rights/
rightsED_understanding_human_rights.pdf
https://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/universal-declaration-of-human-
rights/preamble.html
https://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/human-rights/the-charter/australian-human-
rights-framework
http://careaboutrights.scottishhumanrights.com/whatisahumanrightsbasedapproach.html
https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/topics/web-resources-culturally-and-linguistically-diverse-families
https://aspire-solidus-production.s3-ap-southeast-
2.amazonaws.com/assets/CXDIV003/samples/CXDIV003.pdf
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ip05.pdf.aspx?inline=true
https://www.hirevue.com/blog/5-steps-to-mitigating-bias-in-the-workplace

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