2.2 Social disadvantage and discrimination

So far in this session, you have considered the roles, contexts and different people who may use social care services. This final section turns to the impact of social disadvantage.

‘Social disadvantage’ is a term used here to refer broadly to the factors in society which result in people being at a higher chance of needing support from social care professionals. Social disadvantage is not the only reason a person may need support, but it is an important factor which professionals need to understand, as it can contribute both to why someone needs support and their experience of accessing and receiving services.

Power and social exclusion are important ideas as they relate to the ways in which some people are socially disadvantaged. ‘Discrimination’ means treating someone less favourably as a result of their being different. Difference is a relational concept – in other words, differences only exist in relation to others around you. Often discrimination takes place at a societal level, and ‘difference’ should be understood as arising from someone having a characteristic that places them in a minority (so, for example, people who are speakers of English as a second language living in the United Kingdom) or a characteristic that results in them having less power (such as being a woman).

Diversity in society may result in certain people being viewed or treated differently, particularly if they belong to a minority group. Discrimination often arises from stereotypical attitudes associated with a particular characteristic – for example, that Black people ‘look after their own’, or that people with mental health needs are dangerous or incapable of participating fully in society. It is important to understand these key concepts, because people who need care and protection can experience inequalities and discrimination. For example, a service user can experience racism because of their skin colour, or an older person may not be asked about their views because of their age. A young person may lack access to opportunities because of poverty. Adults with learning disabilities can be faced with barriers to employment, meaning they are excluded from the workforce. Social care workers and social workers need to understand how such disadvantage and discrimination can have an effect on people and work with service users to address social disadvantage.