Report of an inquiry carried out to assess the treatment and experiences of lower-paid ethnic minority workers in health and social care, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key findings were: incomplete data on lower-paid ethnic minority workers, particularly in adult social care; different treatment and experiences at work; commissioning and outsourcing leading to poor pay and insecure work; low awareness of employment rights; and fear of raising concerns and a lack of mechanisms to do so. The report includes recommendations for change. Additional briefings for policymakers are also available for England, Scotland and Wales and provide further detail.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Report of an inquiry carried out to assess the treatment and experiences of lower-paid ethnic minority workers in health and social care, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key findings were: incomplete data on lower-paid ethnic minority workers, particularly in adult social care; different treatment and experiences at work; commissioning and outsourcing leading to poor pay and insecure work; low awareness of employment rights; and fear of raising concerns and a lack of mechanisms to do so. The report includes recommendations for change. Additional briefings for policymakers are also available for England, Scotland and Wales and provide further detail.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
low income, black and minority ethnic people, Covid-19, care workers, social care staff, wages, staff views, conditions of employment;
This document is the Equality and HumanRightsCommission's (EHRC) response to the UK Government's health and social care integration White Paper published in 2022. The document sets out a brief analysis of the human rights and equality implications of the proposals in the White Paper and some general recommendations on embedding equality and human rights principles at every level of the health
(Edited publisher abstract)
This document is the Equality and HumanRightsCommission's (EHRC) response to the UK Government's health and social care integration White Paper published in 2022. The document sets out a brief analysis of the human rights and equality implications of the proposals in the White Paper and some general recommendations on embedding equality and human rights principles at every level of the health and social care system. EHRC suggest that the proposals for greater integration of health and social care should embed equality and human rights principles at every level, in order to: ensure the system drives progress on equality and respects, protects and fulfils the human rights of its users; and avoids a repeat of the disparate equality and human rights impact during the pandemic. EHRC suggest eight principles to guide the integration of health and social care, including: availability; accessible; person-centred; choice and control; community and connection; robust regulation and effective redress; and valuing the workforce.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
integration, health care, social care, rights based approach, human rights, equal opportunities, policy formulation;
Disabled people have the right to live independently as part of the community under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This means that disabled people should have as much choice and control over their lives as others, with equal value and dignity. This briefing paper is about whether the UK Government is fulfilling the right to independent living in England and gives evidence about the barriers that disabled people face. It covers: housing and institutions; access to support services; equal participation in society. The paper shows that there is evidence that disabled people in the UK are not provided with the same choice, control and opportunities as others, across many areas of life. However, a two-tiered society is not inevitable – with the right support, safeguards and protections, disabled people can participate fully and equally in society. We recommend that the right to independent living is incorporated into domestic law – a proposed legal model to achieve that is set out in the appendix to this paper. Proposals to strengthen the law on independent living must be fully resourced and take a life-course approach. Disabled people and their representative organisations should be fully involved in the development and implementation of any legislation. Additionally, throughout this paper we have set out clear and practical solutions to strengthen the right to independent living, remove barriers and improve the lives of disabled people. Taken together, these steps represent a blueprint for a society where disabled people are treated with equal dignity and value.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Disabled people have the right to live independently as part of the community under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This means that disabled people should have as much choice and control over their lives as others, with equal value and dignity. This briefing paper is about whether the UK Government is fulfilling the right to independent living in England and gives evidence about the barriers that disabled people face. It covers: housing and institutions; access to support services; equal participation in society. The paper shows that there is evidence that disabled people in the UK are not provided with the same choice, control and opportunities as others, across many areas of life. However, a two-tiered society is not inevitable – with the right support, safeguards and protections, disabled people can participate fully and equally in society. We recommend that the right to independent living is incorporated into domestic law – a proposed legal model to achieve that is set out in the appendix to this paper. Proposals to strengthen the law on independent living must be fully resourced and take a life-course approach. Disabled people and their representative organisations should be fully involved in the development and implementation of any legislation. Additionally, throughout this paper we have set out clear and practical solutions to strengthen the right to independent living, remove barriers and improve the lives of disabled people. Taken together, these steps represent a blueprint for a society where disabled people are treated with equal dignity and value.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
rights based approach, UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, independent living, government policy, disabilities;
This briefing outlines the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s advice to the UK Government in contribution to its plans for the national disability strategy. It summarises and builds upon evidence, insights and advice the Commission has shared with the Disability Unit and formerly the Office for Disability Issues concerning the barriers disabled people face, as well as suggesting guiding principles and priority issues for the strategy. The briefing sets out the guiding principles for a national disability strategy, which are: need for coordinated, cross-Government action; consistency with the UN CRPD framework and international human rights standards; meaningful participation and active involvement of disabled people in the development and delivery of the strategy; ensuring the strategy is fully inclusive of all disabled people and takes an intersectional approach; embedding the principles of equal choice and control, and the right to live independently; and responding to the inequalities highlighted and exacerbated by the pandemic. Suggested priority areas of focus for a national disability strategy include: actively involve disabled people in policy and decision-making; improving the accessibility of the built environment; improving the accessibility of the transport system; embedding accessibility across all services; reducing detention; ensuring a fully inclusive education system; equal access to employment; ensuring an inclusive justice system; reforming the social care system to promote independence and wellbeing; ensuring an adequate standard of living and social security; strengthening the status of the CRPD and international human rights standards in domestic law; strengthening the public sector equality duty increasing representation in political and public life.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This briefing outlines the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s advice to the UK Government in contribution to its plans for the national disability strategy. It summarises and builds upon evidence, insights and advice the Commission has shared with the Disability Unit and formerly the Office for Disability Issues concerning the barriers disabled people face, as well as suggesting guiding principles and priority issues for the strategy. The briefing sets out the guiding principles for a national disability strategy, which are: need for coordinated, cross-Government action; consistency with the UN CRPD framework and international human rights standards; meaningful participation and active involvement of disabled people in the development and delivery of the strategy; ensuring the strategy is fully inclusive of all disabled people and takes an intersectional approach; embedding the principles of equal choice and control, and the right to live independently; and responding to the inequalities highlighted and exacerbated by the pandemic. Suggested priority areas of focus for a national disability strategy include: actively involve disabled people in policy and decision-making; improving the accessibility of the built environment; improving the accessibility of the transport system; embedding accessibility across all services; reducing detention; ensuring a fully inclusive education system; equal access to employment; ensuring an inclusive justice system; reforming the social care system to promote independence and wellbeing; ensuring an adequate standard of living and social security; strengthening the status of the CRPD and international human rights standards in domestic law; strengthening the public sector equality duty increasing representation in political and public life.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
disabilities, government policy, policy formulation, human rights, disability discrimination, participation;
This introductory guide is for people detained under section 35, 36, 37, 37/41, 38, 45A, 47, 47/49, 48 or 48/49 of the Mental Health Act. These are people who are suspected or have been convicted of a crime and the courts and doctors have decided that they need to stay in a mental health hospital to get support and care for their mental health condition. The guide explains what their rights are and what should happen to them at different stages through their journey in hospital. Sections cover: which section of the Mental Health Act can I be detained under; how should the decision to detain me be made; your right to speak to an independent mental health advocate; what can you or your nearest relative do if you think that you shouldn’t be in hospital; and additional guidance for people who need to stay in hospital and how disabled people can get extra help.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This introductory guide is for people detained under section 35, 36, 37, 37/41, 38, 45A, 47, 47/49, 48 or 48/49 of the Mental Health Act. These are people who are suspected or have been convicted of a crime and the courts and doctors have decided that they need to stay in a mental health hospital to get support and care for their mental health condition. The guide explains what their rights are and what should happen to them at different stages through their journey in hospital. Sections cover: which section of the Mental Health Act can I be detained under; how should the decision to detain me be made; your right to speak to an independent mental health advocate; what can you or your nearest relative do if you think that you shouldn’t be in hospital; and additional guidance for people who need to stay in hospital and how disabled people can get extra help.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
mental health law, hospital admission, compulsory treatment, compulsory detention, Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy, decision making, criminal justice, offenders, human rights;
This guide is for people detained under section 2 and 3 of the Mental Health Act or if you are staying in hospital as a voluntary patient. A voluntary patient (also called an informal patient) is someone who is in hospital but is not detained under the Mental Health Act. They can leave hospital at any time. However, if health professionals are concerned about their safety or the safety of others, they can stop them from leaving for up to 72 hours. The guide explains what rights individuals have and what should happen to them at different stages through their journey in hospital. There are six parts to this guide. The first four parts (A-D) relate to the different stages of stay in hospital in time order, covering: the decision to detain; being detained in hospital; staying in hospital; and leaving hospital. Part E explains how to make a complaint at any stage of one’s stay in hospital; and Part F explains some of the key terms used in this document.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This guide is for people detained under section 2 and 3 of the Mental Health Act or if you are staying in hospital as a voluntary patient. A voluntary patient (also called an informal patient) is someone who is in hospital but is not detained under the Mental Health Act. They can leave hospital at any time. However, if health professionals are concerned about their safety or the safety of others, they can stop them from leaving for up to 72 hours. The guide explains what rights individuals have and what should happen to them at different stages through their journey in hospital. There are six parts to this guide. The first four parts (A-D) relate to the different stages of stay in hospital in time order, covering: the decision to detain; being detained in hospital; staying in hospital; and leaving hospital. Part E explains how to make a complaint at any stage of one’s stay in hospital; and Part F explains some of the key terms used in this document.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
mental health law, mental capacity, compulsory treatment, compulsory detention, hospital admission, human rights, Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy, decision making;
This introductory guide is for people detained under sections 2 and 3 of the Mental Health Act, or people who are in hospital as a voluntary patient. A voluntary patient (also called an informal patient) is someone who is in hospital but is not detained under the Mental Health Act. Sections cover: why am I being detained; how should the decision to detain me be made; your right to speak to an independent mental health advocate; what can you or your nearest relative do if you think that you shouldn’t be in hospital; and additional guidance for those who need to stay in hospital and extra help for disabled people.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This introductory guide is for people detained under sections 2 and 3 of the Mental Health Act, or people who are in hospital as a voluntary patient. A voluntary patient (also called an informal patient) is someone who is in hospital but is not detained under the Mental Health Act. Sections cover: why am I being detained; how should the decision to detain me be made; your right to speak to an independent mental health advocate; what can you or your nearest relative do if you think that you shouldn’t be in hospital; and additional guidance for those who need to stay in hospital and extra help for disabled people.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy, mental health law, human rights, compulsory detention, compulsory treatment, decision making, mental capacity;
This introductory guide is for people detained under section 35, 36, 37, 37/41, 38, 45A, 47, 47/49, 48 or 48/49 of the Mental Health Act. These are people who are suspected or have been convicted of a crime and the courts and doctors have decided that they need to stay in a mental health hospital to get support and care for their mental health condition. The guide explains what rights individuals have and what should happen to them at different stages through their journey in hospital. There are six parts to this guide. The first four parts (A-D) relate to the different stages of stay in hospital in time order, covering: the decision to detain; being detained in hospital; staying in hospital; and leaving hospital. Part E explains how to make a complaint at any stage of one’s stay in hospital; and Part F explains some of the key terms used in this document.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This introductory guide is for people detained under section 35, 36, 37, 37/41, 38, 45A, 47, 47/49, 48 or 48/49 of the Mental Health Act. These are people who are suspected or have been convicted of a crime and the courts and doctors have decided that they need to stay in a mental health hospital to get support and care for their mental health condition. The guide explains what rights individuals have and what should happen to them at different stages through their journey in hospital. There are six parts to this guide. The first four parts (A-D) relate to the different stages of stay in hospital in time order, covering: the decision to detain; being detained in hospital; staying in hospital; and leaving hospital. Part E explains how to make a complaint at any stage of one’s stay in hospital; and Part F explains some of the key terms used in this document.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
criminal justice, offenders, mental health law, hospital admission, compulsory treatment, compulsory detention, Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy, decision making, human rights;
This submission aims to provide the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC) with information on the implementation of the rights set out in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in Great Britain since it was last reviewed by the UN CRC in 2016. The thematic areas covered include: equality and human rights framework, looking at the implications of Covid-19 and Brexit; living standards and poverty; education; children in institutions; youth justice; refugee and migrant children; health, including mental health; and violence and personal safety, covering violence against children and trafficking and exploitation. The report raises concerns about how the pandemic is exacerbating existing inequalities, and having a devastating impact on children’s rights, well-being and futures. Key concerns include more children being pushed into poverty, widening educational inequalities and worsening mental health. School closures and inequalities in home-learning environments also risk exacerbating growing attainment gaps for certain groups, including disabled pupils, some ethnic minorities, and those who are socio-economically disadvantaged. The shift to online learning risks undermining the right to education and may have a long-term effect on attainment. The report also cites challenges affecting special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision in schools, with staff shortages, social distancing rules and the need to concentrate resources on the health emergency resulting in local authorities reducing SEND provision and, in some cases, ceasing it all together. Although the effect of the pandemic on children’s mental health is not yet fully understood, the report warns that the combined impact of limited capacity within the mental health service and children being cut off from support at school, could be severe and long-lasting.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This submission aims to provide the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC) with information on the implementation of the rights set out in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in Great Britain since it was last reviewed by the UN CRC in 2016. The thematic areas covered include: equality and human rights framework, looking at the implications of Covid-19 and Brexit; living standards and poverty; education; children in institutions; youth justice; refugee and migrant children; health, including mental health; and violence and personal safety, covering violence against children and trafficking and exploitation. The report raises concerns about how the pandemic is exacerbating existing inequalities, and having a devastating impact on children’s rights, well-being and futures. Key concerns include more children being pushed into poverty, widening educational inequalities and worsening mental health. School closures and inequalities in home-learning environments also risk exacerbating growing attainment gaps for certain groups, including disabled pupils, some ethnic minorities, and those who are socio-economically disadvantaged. The shift to online learning risks undermining the right to education and may have a long-term effect on attainment. The report also cites challenges affecting special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision in schools, with staff shortages, social distancing rules and the need to concentrate resources on the health emergency resulting in local authorities reducing SEND provision and, in some cases, ceasing it all together. Although the effect of the pandemic on children’s mental health is not yet fully understood, the report warns that the combined impact of limited capacity within the mental health service and children being cut off from support at school, could be severe and long-lasting.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
childrens rights, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, child protection, safeguarding children, youth justice, Covid-19, poverty, education, human trafficking, looked after children, mental health problems, health inequalities, child abuse;
This report outlines the currently known key impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on equality and human rights across key areas of life, including work, poverty, education, social care, and justice and personal security; and the risks faced by different groups. Key findings include: the economic impact of the pandemic has been unequal, entrenching existing inequalities and widening others; the groups most likely to be affected by the expected rise in poverty include young people, ethnic minorities, and disabled people, who are already closest to the poverty line; older people, ethnic minorities and some disabled people, particularly those in care homes, have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic; the increased demand for social care has threatened the financial resilience of the sector, potentially impacting its users and workers; this has led to an increased reliance on unpaid carers, who are more likely to be women; there has been a rise in reported domestic abuse and there are concerns about the ability of survivors to access justice.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report outlines the currently known key impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on equality and human rights across key areas of life, including work, poverty, education, social care, and justice and personal security; and the risks faced by different groups. Key findings include: the economic impact of the pandemic has been unequal, entrenching existing inequalities and widening others; the groups most likely to be affected by the expected rise in poverty include young people, ethnic minorities, and disabled people, who are already closest to the poverty line; older people, ethnic minorities and some disabled people, particularly those in care homes, have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic; the increased demand for social care has threatened the financial resilience of the sector, potentially impacting its users and workers; this has led to an increased reliance on unpaid carers, who are more likely to be women; there has been a rise in reported domestic abuse and there are concerns about the ability of survivors to access justice.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
Covid-19, social care, adult social care, employment, education, human rights, poverty, criminal justice, domestic violence, equal opportunities;