Should the Equality Act’s list of protected characteristics be extended?
As we all know, protected characteristics exist under the Equality Act 2010, and it is unlawful to discriminate against them.
The nine characteristics consist of age, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage/civil partnership, pregnant/maternity leave, disability, race and religion. However, there are a few other areas of life that I believe should be added to this list.
Care experienced
A fraction of the population is care-experienced, yet people who have been in care make up 24 per cent of the prison population and a quarter of those who are homeless in the UK.
A quarter of care leavers become homeless within two years of leaving care. Only 13 per cent progress to higher education compared to 43 per cent of all other pupils by the age of 19, and they are three times more likely to not be in education, employment or training between the ages of 19 and 21.
They are also more likely to experience mental illness and die prematurely.
Such troubling statistics are behind a growing campaign to make care experience a protected characteristic, as recommended in England’s Independent Review of Children’s Social Care.
More than 100 local authorities have adopted this in their area, meaning they must ensure their policies do not discriminate against care experienced people.
However, the previous government ruled out making this a protected characteristic under Equality Act, maintaining it will lead to greater stigma. The current government has not indicated plans to change this policy.
Neurodivergence
Neurodivergence can relate to a number of diagnosed conditions including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and Tourette’s.
Neurodivergent people can find it harder to understand things, or complete certain tasks.
I was diagnosed at autistic while completing my social work apprenticeship degree. Had I had my diagnosis before starting, I may have been looked at differently. The fact that it took two weeks longer for my Social Work England registration to go through compared to others within my group makes me wonder what the regulator thinks about neurodivergent workers.
It is regularly said that neurodivergent brains are ‘wired differently’’ which in some cases can be an advantage. There are so many positive examples of neurodivergent individuals achieving amazing things, but there could be more if this groups of people were not held back or denied the opportunities others have.
Professionals with neurodivergent conditions should be supported so that they can amplify their strengths, develop a better understanding, spread acceptance, and get others to adopt an inclusive approach.
Physical appearance
A large part of social work is ensuring individuality in the work that we do. Why is this not the same for us, as workers?
I understand that we have to present in a certain way and display a professional image. However, when does this professionalism stop people from being themselves? A full face tattoo in children’s service wouldn’t be very appropriate, but we shouldn’t be discouraged or penalised for changing part of ourselves to feel better.
A number of years ago, a local midwife was suspended for dying her hair red. In what way does this detract from her ability to do her job and look after her patients?
As social workers, we should be a mirror of society and be a cross-section of the local community. My local area has people with different coloured hair, tattoos and piercings; so why should our social work team be a boring blank canvas?
Your face, your weight, your hair, your piercings or your body art should not be a bargaining chip to deny support, future prospects, or even to persecute against.
Mental health
Working in a mental health trust, I have learnt that a diagnosis is not the whole person. These individuals are living with their diagnosis, and do not let it take over their lives. We are told to look at their strengths and abilities, not the tasks that they cannot do.
Professionals are people too, with stresses and worries that happen in their own lives. With the right support in place, they should be able to work at the same level as others and have every right to be offered opportunities based on their practice, not their diagnosis.
Similar to the argument for neurodivergent individuals, social workers with mental health diagnoses can practice in a way that is equal or better than those without a condition.
One in four people experiences a mental health problem of some kind every year in England, according to Mind, which should mean that this is mirrored in social workers. It is also no secret that social work is one of the most stressful jobs, and stress impacts on mental health.
You may not agree with my potential inclusions, but these are characteristics that I feel if protected would benefit many people from prejudice and discrimination.
What would you include on the list?
Daniel Thompson is a social worker working in a mental health team