Training
Research conducted by MECOPP and work carried out by the Diverse Assessments Programme in 2001 concluded that training in cultural competency would significantly enhance the assessment process for minority ethnic carers and potential service users.
What is Cultural Competency?
‘A culturally competent service is defined as a service which recognises and
meets the diverse needs of people of different cultural backgrounds. This
applies to every individual with a healthcare need. It includes, but is
not limited to, making provision for religious and cultural beliefs such
as worship, diet and hygiene requirements, catering for communications
and language diversity and ensuring that discrimination on the basis of
culture, belief, race, nationality or colour has no role in the delivery
of services.’
Fair For All: Working Together Towards Culturally Competent Services
Scottish Executive Health Department, 2002
Raising Standards for All
The ‘Raising Standards for All’ training pack was developed by the Diverse Assessments Programme: a joint Scottish Executive and Lothian Primary Care NHS Trust pilot project to address well documented barriers that Minority Ethnic communities face in accessing services.
The pack is designed to help health and social work practitioners develop the skills and the understanding needed to conduct culturally competent assessments within the framework of the Single Shared assessment.
By incorporating cultural competency into the assessment process the pack aims to:
The training is designed to run over two days comprising five sessions: