Module 6: The impact of national policy
and legislation
Why do we have policies and legislation in
health and social care?
Use the images below to help as you discuss this question.
Legislation and policies aim to:
• reduce discrimination
• ensure fair access to services
• promote equality
• improve the quality of care
Module 6: The impact of national policy and legislation
Aims of legislation and national policies
What unfair treatment might arise for employees or service users with the characteristics
below, if there was no legislation in place? Record your ideas then click below to see our
suggestions.
Gender
Age
Being refused a job for
being ‘too old’.
Disability
Female staff earning less
money than men.
Race
Being called racist names.
Not being able to access
services.
Religion
People in care homes not
having their dietary
requirements respected.
Module 6: The impact of national policy and legislation
The Children’s Act 1989 and 2004
The rights of children in the UK are based on two Children’s Acts.
What rights would you expect them to include?
achieve
be kept safe
be healthy
Children have the
right to:
be heard
enjoy life
Click here to access The Children’s Act 1989 and here for 2004
Module 6: The impact of national policy and legislation
NHS and Community Health Care Act 1990
This Act sets out the rules by which the NHS must assess and provide for patients
according to their needs, circumstances and requirements.
Click here to access the NHS and Community Health Care Act 1990
How could Susan’s needs be taken into account as a result of the Act?
Susan is 85 years old. She
has osteoporosis and
suffers from pain and
limited mobility. She
doesn’t want to move into
a care home as she feels
too young.
Record your ideas here:
• Susan’s needs will be assessed.
• She might be able to stay at home and receive support e.g.
home help and adaptations e.g. hand rails
Module 6: The impact of national policy and legislation
Care Standards Act 2000
The Care Standards Act aims to raise standards in places of care such as care homes.
Click on the arrow buttons below to sort these requirements under who they apply to.
Care homes
The environment must
promote well-being.
Staff must adhere
to a code of conduct.
Care homes must meet
minimum standards.
Care homes must be
inspected by the NCSC.
Correct staffing levels
must be in place.
Click here to access the Care
Standards Act 2000.
Staff
The environment must
Care homes
well-being.
• The promote
environment
must promote
well-being.
Staff must adhere
• Care homes must meet
to a code of conduct.
minimum standards.
• Care homes must be inspected
Care homes must meet
by the NCSC.
minimum standards.
Staff
Care homes must be
• Staff must adhere to a code of
inspected by the NCSC.
conduct.
• Correct staffing levels must be
Correct staffing levels
in place.
must be in place.
The environment must
promote well-being.
Staff must adhere
to a code of conduct.
Care homes must meet
minimum standards.
Care homes must be
inspected by the NCSC.
Correct staffing levels
must be in place.
Hide
answers
Module 6: The impact of national policy and legislation
Data Protection Act 1998
The Data Protection Act makes sure that organisations securely store personal
information such as an individual’s address and medical history.
What do you think the benefits of this piece of legislation could be for users of
healthcare services?
Benefit 1
•
Confidential
information won’t be
shared with others.
Benefit 3
Benefit 2
•
Promotes trust
between the service
user and professional.
•
Provides reassurance
that private
information is safe.
Click here to access the Data Protection Act 1998
Module 6: The impact of national policy and legislation
Disability Discrimination Act 1995
This Act aims to prevent anyone with a disability being discriminated against within
employment, transport, goods, facilities and services, housing and education.
Click on the video icon to watch a clip about four individuals
living with disability.
In what ways could these individuals be helped by the Disability
Discrimination Act?
Click here for a task sheet to use while you watch the video.
Click here to access the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
Module 6: The impact of national policy and legislation
Race Relations Act 1976
This Act promotes equality and makes racial discrimination illegal. The Act applies to
a broad range of areas, such as housing, employment and education.
What positive impact could the Race Relations Act have for Rashida, a young doctor
working in a hospital?
Rashida works in A & E in a
Cardiff hospital. She works
in a mainly white team.
Record your ideas here:
• strong employee/employer relations
• a sense of belonging
• a feeling of equality for people of different racial groups
Click here to access the Race Relations Act 1976.
Module 6: The impact of national policy and legislation
Which Act?
Match the benefits to the appropriate Act that legislates for it. Click each benefit below to
highlight the colour that matches the Act on the right.
Includes a code of conduct
for social workers
Allows individuals
to maintain
their independence
Children have the right
to be healthy
Care homes will be fined
if they don’t meet
minimum standards
Individuals can be helped
to live safely
in the community
Standards of daily life
improved for individuals
in care homes
Children have the right
to be safe
Social workers trained
and regulated
A needs assessment
must be carried out for
anyone in need of care
Children have the right
to achieve
Services should be
appropriate to a child’s
needs and in their best
interests
Care homes regularly
inspected by the NCSC
The Children’s
Act 2004
(1 click)
The NHS and
Community
Health Care
Act 1990
(2 clicks)
The Care
Standards
Act 2000
(3 clicks)
Module 6: The impact of national policy and legislation
National policies
What is the difference between legislation and policies? Click on the arrow buttons
below to sort these statements under each category.
Legislation
Plans of action to help
organisations comply
with the law.
A way of doing things.
This is government
law.
Regulations
It would be a criminal
offence not to
comply with this.
Policies
Plans of action to help
organisations comply
Legislation
with the law.
• This is government law.
• It would
criminal
offence
A waybeofadoing
things.
not to comply with this.
Plans of action to help
organisations comply
with the law.
This is government
Policies
law.
• Plans of action to help
organisations comply with the
Regulations
law.
• A way of doing things
It would be a criminal
• Regulations
offence not to
comply with this.
This is government
law.
A way of doing things
Regulations
It would be a criminal
offence not to
comply with this.
Hide
answers
Module 6: The impact of national policy and legislation
Why might a care organisation
set its own policies?
In response
to concerns
by service
users
To outline safe
working practices
Why set policies?
To comply
with laws
To influence the
culture of the
organisation
Module 6: The impact of national policy and legislation
Which policy?
Match the benefits to the appropriate policy. Click each benefit below to highlight the
colour that matches the policy on the right.
Individuals cannot be
discriminated against
based on age, gender,
race or disability
All interviews should be
free from discrimination
or bias
Using equipment safely
protects staff from
injury or distress
Individuals should be
selected for a post
based on merit alone
In a care setting, this policy
protects both staff and
patients from harm
Helps to promote equality
in the work place
Click below for example policies:
Equal opportunities
Recruitment
Moving and handling
Equal
opportunities
policy
(1 click)
Recruitment
policy
(2 clicks)
Moving
and handling
policy
(3 clicks)
Module 6: The impact of national policy and legislation
Local policies
You have looked at national policies and legislation and how these affect
care settings, staff and service users. Now investigate what policies are in
place in your local care settings.
Click here to open a task sheet you can use to
record your research.
Module 6: The impact of national policy and legislation