Emma Durrant - One of of OFSTED’s approved childminders and an NCMA Children Come First Network member. Based in Benfleet.

“EQUALITY ACT 2010 and UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD (“UNCRC”)”

 

The Equality Act 2010 “Act” now brings together and replaces existing equality laws e.g. Race Relations Act 1976, Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and 2005, Human Rights Act 1998. The Act has “protected characteristics”; race, gender, gender reassignment/gender identity, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy/maternity, age, marriage / civil partnership and the Act has three Equality Duties that cover all these “protected characteristics”. These are:

 

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment or victimisation;

• To advance equality of opportunity between those who have protected characteristics and those who do not;

• To foster good relations between those that have protected characteristics and those who do not.

 

I have a commitment to treating every child (and adult) with equal respect and concern whilst still appreciating their different individual needs and will endeavour to make any reasonable adjustments to help support a child that may suffer from a physical or mental impairment.

 

Regardless of their racial origins, cultural background, gender, age, family grouping or physical or mental impairment all children in my care will be:

 

• Treated as individuals and with equal concern

• Listened to each individual whether they are verbal or non-verbal, to support children who use alternative systems of communication or who are learning English as an additional language

• Treated fairly and equally

• Given the opportunity to develop and learn

• Encouraged to learn about people different from themselves and to respect and enjoy those differences

 

The United Kingdom and Northern Ireland agreed to obey (ratified) the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on 16 December 1991.  The UNCRC has 54 articles. Articles 1-40 primarily effect the rights of your child as Articles 43-54 are about how adults and the governments should work together to make sure all children get all their rights). I believe that every child within my setting regardless of their sex, ethnic origin, social status, language, age, nationality or religion has these rights but they also have a responsibility to respect each other in a humane way.

 

If children have a right to be protected from conflict, cruelty, exploitation and neglect, then they also have a responsibility not to bully or harm each other. If children have a right to a clean environment, then they also have a responsibility to do what they can to look after their environment.