PUBLIC UNIFORMED SERVICES

Public Uniformed Services

Public Uniformed Services

The concepts of citizenship and diversity are very important in modern society and are particularly relevant for employees within the public services. This unit will develop learners' understanding of the meaning behind these concepts and provide an opportunity to investigate the benefits that public services gain from good citizens both as employees and members of society. The underlying theme of respecting equality will be enforced throughout.

Learners will explore the legal and humanitarian rights that citizens are given under legislation within the UK and from other sources. The protection provided by the legislation against the many aspects of discrimination such as age, race, gender and disability, will also be considered. Relevant theory and strategies to combat discrimination within the public services sector and society will be related to the work that different services do. This will involve the enforcement of equal opportunities within society as well as within the services themselves. This enforcement relies on the good citizenship of members of society as well as public service employees.

This unit will investigate current affairs that involve citizenship and diversity within UK society. Learners will be encouraged to research case studies and examples that have been reported by the media. The manner of reporting the example and the effect that this type of reporting may have is important when considering the impact of the media on issues such as citizenship and diversity.

The case studies will illustrate the problems that exist within society today and will lead an investigation of the work of different types of public services, such as the statutory agencies and voluntary groups, to support citizens when dealing with these problems. Citizenship: definition of citizen and citizenship as used in general terms; public service view of citizenship; legal view of citizenship; qualities of good citizens such as dedication and responsibility; attitudes to other people; participation in community activities; awareness of needs of others.

Diversity: definition of diversity as used in general terms and by public services and local communities; composition of the local and national community within the borough/local authority area (ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability) Terminology: meaning of different words used eg racism, racist, institutionalised racism, multiculturalism, ethnocentricity, sexism, heterosexist, homophobia, equal opportunity, equality, prejudice, harassment, victimisation, disability, direct and indirect discrimination.

Concepts: of integration, tolerance and multiculturalism; the rights and responsibilities of individuals in society as citizens; equal opportunities and positive action to ...