Zara Hamid

Working with Diversity

This piece of writing is going to demonstrate an understanding of diversity,
difference and also discuss the implications for social work practice. It will
include an understanding of theories and concepts in relation to diversity where
it will address the needs of diverse communities, individuals and groups,
exploring differences in relation to culture, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality,
social class and economic wellbeing. It will also demonstrate an understanding of
principle of working in an anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory way.
In relation to social work diversity does not simply mean difference in race and
gender but also the unnoticeable differences such as values, religion, social
background, economic wellbeing and political beliefs. It is important to
acknowledge and understand diversity in social work as there have been matters
of holding assumptions and prejudices about an individual or group in the
manner they are treated and the services they receive. The issue with making
assumptions and prejudices is acknowledged in the Social Work Professional
Capabilities Framework (PCF) as domain 3 explains that diversity is multidimensional, diversity can effect an individuals life experience in a positive or
negative way. This is due to the issues that occur with differences such as
oppression, marginalisation and alienation as well as the positive side which
includes privilege, power and acclaim (Capabilities within the PCF, 2014). Antioppressive practice involves acknowledging that oppression can arise from an
unequal distribution of power and resources at social and political levels (Burke,
2013; Robbins, 2011 cited in Teater, 2010).
This method could help social workers tackle oppression as they would have
more of an understanding of where oppression is developed from. It would be
helpful for social workers to acknowledge this including the Equality Act (2010)
which was replaced by previous anti-discrimination laws with a single act,
making it easier to understand and strengthening protection in some areas. It
explains the different unlawful ways someone could be treated. The protected
characteristics that are included are age, disability, gender reassignment, being
or in a civil partnership, race, pregnant or having a child, belief or lack of
religion/belief, religion and sex and sexual orientation. These characteristics can
cause unnecessary barriers for some individuals and probable discrimination. For
example an individual who has had a gender reassignment may have difficulties
being accepted into mainstream society and could be discriminated on this basis
alone, leading to difficulties fitting in with others and therefore impacting on their
social life and overall wellbeing. Therefore, due to the protected characteristics in
the Act it is vital for social workers to help protect these individuals by ensuring
this Act is implemented in their practices and everyone is treated equally and
impartially. Social workers work in an anti-oppressive way to seek to challenge
inequality and disadvantage, promote social justice and advocate for resources
and opportunities for individuals, families, groups and communities (Burke, 2013;
Burke and Harrison, 2009 cited in Teater, 2010).
Thompsons Personal- Cultural Structural (PCS) model is there to help recognize
how inequalities and discrimination feature in the social circumstances of clients
and in the interactions between clients and social work professionals. The three
levels of the (PCS) model are closely linked they include personal experiences,
beliefs and attitudes which explains how power relationships are expressed
between individuals, groups and through the wider societal context and
highlights the coated effects of oppression (Pepper, 2012). In the (PCS) P refers
to the personal and psychological: which is the individuals level of thoughts,
feelings, attitudes and actions. C refers to the cultural level so the ways of
seeing, doing and thinking. S refers to the structural level, the system of social

Zara Hamid
Working with Diversity
division and the power relations that are closely associated with them. It also
relates to the ways in which oppression and discrimination are established
(Thompson,2012). Therefore, by having more of a grasp of the idea of the
oppressive practice and the PCS Model you are able to fully recognize and fight
oppressive structures in the communal.
In the community exercise it shows that the mainstream population in Hare hills
is British (88.5%), however it seemed to be a very diverse community. Hare hills
has a mixture of people from different countries such as: Pakistan, Bangladesh,
India, Zimbabwe, Philippines, Ireland, Scotland, Nigeria, Jamaica, Slovakia, and
Poland. Therefore, by having many different ethnic groups there are a variety of
religious groups such as 38.8% Christians, 33.2% Muslims, 17.1% No religion,
2.0% Sikh, 1.0% Hindu, 0.5% Buddhist, 0.1% Jewish 1,855 people did not state a
religion, 29 people identified as a Jedi Knight and 3 people mentioned they
believed in Heavy Metal (Gipton and Hare hills demographics (Leeds, England),
2012). British Christians are seen as the primary group in Hare hills which may
make other ethnic and religious groups venerable to oppression. Thompson,
mentions that oppression is seen as the outcome of the unfair treatment some
individuals deal with also, that discrimination against the individuals is the origin
of oppression. With religion there are a wide variety of examples that could be
given of the problems that cause oppression as religion splits people into groups
so they dont have the chance to meet others from different religious groups
(Thompson, 2012). A specific example of religious discrimination is
Islamophobia which is stated in Thompson, 2012 as fear or hatred of Islam as a
religion and Muslims as people. Runnymede Trust report, 1997 cited in
Thompson, 2012:174 stated that the characteristics associated with Islam are:
Islam is seen as huge coalition, motionless and unresponsive, Islam is seen as
aggressive, violent, threatening, supportive of terrorism and engaged in a clash
of civilisation also Islam is seen as lower to the west and seen as brutal,
unreasonable, primitive and sexist. Therefore these characteristics show how
some cultures are being discriminated against and shows how cultural
assumptions can encourage conflict and resentment. Thompson, 2012 mentions
how it is essential that social workers are not subjective by unsupportive and
discriminatory assumptions, and that they are able to distance themselves from
the stereotypical perceptions that feed discrimination against Muslims.
Unfortunately Islam has received a considerable amount of negative attention
and action towards them recently. Thompson, 2012 states that this is an unfair
and misleading distortion of reality because Islam is a religion based on peace.
The implication for social work when it comes to religion is that they ask for
individuals to disclose their religion which in some cases for some social workers
this is just ticking a box but not thinking what a persons religion means to them
as some play a big part in their religion and others dont. Therefore, Thompson,
2012 mentions that we should remember this when it comes to identifying
someones religion, as it is more than just ticking a box.
There are theories put in place to guide social workers in the way they observe
and approach groups, individuals, communities and society. Theories are there to
help social workers predict, describe and evaluate circumstances and actions and
offer a basis for how social workers should respond and intervene with
individuals who have certain pasts, difficulties or objectives (Teater, 2010). A
main theory within social work practice is Systems Theory as they use this theory
to help understand how individuals communicate to each other and to their
society as a whole, and the effects that social pressures have on individuals.
Therefore, by having an understanding of how an individual is affected by their

Zara Hamid
Working with Diversity
environment social workers can then work towards refining values of living for
individuals and communities as systems theory helps social workers identify,
define and address problems (Flamand, 1999).
However, Rutter and Brown, 2012 argues that formal knowledge such as theory
and research findings can only notify practice; it cannot foresee or control what
will take place even though theories are beneficial for social workers relying only
on theories can be damaging for both social worker and the client as it could
result in unintended racism. As I mentioned earlier assumptions and prejudices
about an individual or group can be an issue to the way they are treated and the
services they receive. The implications of racism for social work is evident from
the literature drawn that the subject of race and social work is still a predominant
factor as social work ignores racial aspects of social problems. Michael Lavallette
and Laura Penketh argue that social workers need to be involved in more serious
reflection on the impact of shifting forms of racism and discrimination in society
and their role in addressing these problems.
There are many other reasons why an individual could be discriminated against
in their community for example age difference with other individuals in the
community. `The average age of people living in Hare hills is 31 year olds
(Gipton and Hare hills demographics (Leeds, England), 2012). Which means
there are more younger individuals in the community than the elderly which
could cause issues as age is seen as social division. Ageism is discrimination
against or unfair treatment based on a persons age. It can have an impact on an
individuals confidence, job prospects, financial situation and quality of life. The
negativity some older people face are due to being seen as old equals useless,
older people are seen as past their best, no longer productive, no longer
contributing to the economy and therefore a burden, a drain on the states
resources ( Powell, 2006 cited in Thompson, 2012: 105). Language is seen as a
key aspect of ageism. As the elderly are seen as the old which is very
dehumanizing. Thompson, 1995 cited in Thompson,2012 states in the PCS model
the C level (culture embodied in language) mentions that language plays an
essential role with regard to dignity it can either improve it or act as a barrier to
its realization. Therefore ,language needs to be used sensitively and critically in
order to avoid negative implications.
Therefore, the implications for social work practice as Thompsons mentions that
some people dont see care management as social work criteria. The main
implication is social work assessments which is assessments needs to be
addressed not only of simple notion of the needs and services available,
however, the broader concerns which form part of a comprehensive assessment.
Another implication which relates straight to ageism is that assessments should
include thought of the effect of ageism on older peoples lives, involving ,feelings
of being a nuisance and low self-esteem (Thompson, 2012). The elderly are
described as the most disempowered of our citizens, disempowered by poverty,
deprived housing and inadequate and often discriminatory of health and social
services. It is vital that social workers identify the need for empowerment with
the older people as the government, local authorities and service providers are
looking at them as a problem as the older people are increasing in quantities
and, supposedly greater consumption of health and social services (Thompson,
2012). Therefore, this may change the older peoples mind when in need of
support from health and social services as they think they are seen as a
problem which could then lead to more serious matters such as increase in
stress levels and issues with their health. Also social workers need to understand

Zara Hamid
Working with Diversity
why certain terms are problematic and best avoided, rather than just not to use
them because the PCS says not to do.
Throughout this essay I have demonstrated the importance of understanding
how different forms of discrimination interact with one another and have come to
recognise that by accepting diversity and difference it is a start to fight
discrimination within humanity. I have found that there are more implications in
social work practice now then there ever has been due to more multi-cultural
societies which can cause issues in some cases so social workers need to try and
meet everyones needs. Thompson mentions that the discrimination coming from
social workers are unintentional as it is due to lack of awareness which is why he
argues that awareness training has a major part to play(Thompson,2012).
Therefore, for social workers to be more effective in their line of work they need
to have more awareness in situations where discriminatory behaviour is involved
as it will help avoid the culture of defensiveness that has grown up around efforts
to tackle discrimination and oppression.
Reference
Capabilities within the PCF (2016) Available at:
http://www.basw.co.uk/pcf/capabilities/?level=10&domain=3#start (Accessed 31
March 2016)
Bibliography: flamand, lee (1999) Systems theory of social work | eHow UK.
Available at: http://www.ehow.co.uk/about_5448080_systems-theory-socialwork.html (Accessed: 24 April 2016).
Bibliography: Gipton and Harehills demographics (Leeds, England) (2012)
Available at: http://gipton-and-harehills.localstats.co.uk/censusdemographics/england/yorkshire-and-the-humber/leeds/gipton-andharehills(Accessed: 1 April 2016).
Bibliography: Karen and Healy, K. (2014) Social work theories in context:
Creating frameworks for practice. 2nd edn. United Kingdom: Palgrave Macmillan.
Bibliography: Lavalette, M. and Penketh, L. (eds.) (2013) Race, racism and social
work: Contemporary issues and debates. United Kingdom: Policy Press.
Bibliography: Pepper, S. (2012) Confidentiality. Available at:
http://youthworkinit.com/thompson-pcs-model/ (Accessed: 26 April 2016).
Bibliography: Rutter, L. and Brown, K. (2012) Critical thinking and professional
judgement for social work (post-qualifying social work practice series). 3rd edn.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Bibliography: Thompson, Neil. (2012) Anti-discriminatory practice: Equality,
diversity and social justice (practical social work). 5th edn. New York, NY:
Palgrave Macmillan.
Bibliography: Teater, Barbara. (2010) An introduction to applying social work
theories and methods. 2nd edn. Maidenhead, England: McGraw-Hill/Open
University Press.
Bibliography: What is ageism? (no date) Available at:
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/work-and-learning/discrimination-and-rights/what-isageism/ (Accessed: 26 April 2016).

Zara Hamid
Working with Diversity

BA and MA Social Work

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MODULE TITLE: Readiness to Practice L4
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Demonstrate awareness of the HCPC and PCF

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Be able to evaluate the context within which professional

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Have awareness of appropriate professional behaviour,

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Zara Hamid
Working with Diversity

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Zara Hamid
Working with Diversity