Increasing equity in social care

Published: 08/05/2024

What practices, attitudes and actions are needed to overcome barriers, challenge oppression and increase equity? New open access learning resources support systems change by exploring intersectionality, equity, allyship and justice in adult social care.

Developed by academics, practitioners in adult social care, and people with lived experience, the Equity: Change Project explored how intersectionality can help achieve equitable experiences and outcomes. The resources aim to enable you to think about how you can increase equity and change the system – whatever your role or position.

Use the resources to consider what a different system would look like, how to bring about systemic change and evaluate impact. Watch our short video below to hear Dr Clenton Farquharson introduce the concept of equity in social care.

In a new podcast, Research in Practice is joined by two of the authors of the Change Project, Dr Clenton Farquharson and Gerry Nosowska, to discuss why intersectionality is so vital to achieving equity in adult social care.

View the equity resources

Practice examples

Listen to three stories that put an intersectional lens into practice. These stories can be used for individual reflection or group discussions and include reflective questions and thoughts from Change Project participants.

Listen to practice examples.

Practice tools

Use reflective and practical tools in direct practice to aid systems change – 28 tools are available throughout the Equity: Change Project to support those working with intersectionality, equity, allyship and justice in adult social care.

View the tools.

Equity concepts

If you are new to the topic, the resources offer an introduction to the three key concepts of equity – intersectionality, equity and allyship.

The intersectionality section will help you understand what it is.

The equity section shows how using the lens of intersectionality will increase equitable experiences and outcomes.

The allyship section sets out how being an ally challenges inequity, showing how we can do things ‘with’ people rather than ‘for’ or ‘to’ them.