2B Contribute to workplace and professional relationships

Part of a support worker’s job is to develop good working relationships with the people they care for. It is important all support workers undertake their work in a way that meets the cultural needs of a person with support needs, respects all cultures and is free from stereotyping, racism and prejudice.

An effective support worker learns to recognise and respect diversity in the workplace and understands that everyone deserves to be treated with courtesy and respect, regardless of their race, religion, gender, beliefs or culture. They should respect that people have a right to be different and that everyone should be treated equally. Support workers should also be able to recognise and understand different cultures, how these differences affect their work with people with support needs and colleagues, and to be able to address any personal prejudices.