Describe the Importance of Supporting the Rights of All Children and Young People to Participation and Equality of Access

Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Unit 204 1.2
Describe the importance of supporting the rights of all children and young people to participation and equality of access
All children and young people have the right to a broad and balanced curriculum.   It is important to support participation and equality of access so that every pupil has the same opportunities regardless of personal background, race, culture, gender, additional need or disability.  
The Equality Act 2010 states that there are seven different types of discrimination:
  * Direct discrimination
  * Associative discrimination
  * Indirect discrimination
  * Harassment
  * Harassment by third party
  * Victimisation
  * Discrimination by perception
If we ignored these guidelines we would not be offering the children the same opportunities as those we didn’t discriminate against.   It is important that the schools have regular reviews of the policies, procedures and practices to make sure there is no discrimination against anyone within the school.   These reviews are also important as it promotes good relations and positive attitudes towards people from different ethnic groups.
Equality of access means ensuring that discriminatory barriers to access are removed and allowing for children and young people’s individual needs.
Equal opportunity does not mean treating pupils the same, but ensuring that the curriculum meets the individual needs of all pupils.   This involves understanding the barriers that exist. Intervention strategies, such as additional support, can then be put in place at an early stage before children fall too far behind.
Within a school, policies on inclusion and equality of opportunity can only be successful if they help to raise achievement’s and promote self-identity and good relationships through the participation of all children and young people.
In a school participation means asking children and young people what works, what does not work...