[Jack_]

First episode:

Lack of empathy and understanding towards the elderly and needy from councillors/MPs/people in positions of authority, who are just going to tick a few boxes, are 'looking for problems' (as Karl's character says they're doing), put financial stability over the interests, care and health of the elderly.

Assumption that because Derek is 'different', he is probably mentally disabled/has learning difficulties. Just an assumption, no consideration that he might actually just be 'different' in the sense that he doesn't act the way society believes people should act. Because he's a bit odd looking, eccentric, has differing mannerisms to most, that he should be patronised and looked down upon, and have assumptions made that he's somehow got a learning difficulty or other disability. This is especially true as Ricky has made it clear that Derek doesn't actually have anything 'wrong' with him in that sense, the point of the character is that the audience and the characters surrounding him have pre-conceived ideas about him and use stereotypes to judge him and label him at face value without actually getting to know the character. It's meant to play on how we as a society essentially see someone that's 'different' and think = learning difficulty/mentally disabled. Which is wrong.

And then how because he's 'different' is supposed to somehow impact on what he's like as a carer, as shown by the councillor's talk with the head-woman at the end of the episode. Asking if he has autism, if he's fit to work there, with her saying 'he's different because he's the most loving and caring worker you could ask for', and then him proceeding to ask Derek if he would be alright with being tested for autism, leading to Derek saying this quite poignant and powerful statement:

Derek: "If I’m autistic would it change me? Would it kill me? Would it make me a different person?"
Roger: "No."
Derek: "Then leave it."

Second episode:

Young person left behind in society, stereotypes of a celebrity-obsessed, work-shy, under-qualified woman that's doing community service, but has simply just been misunderstood and taken in by popular culture, and then begins to love the job after having all her pre-conceived ideas and beliefs about working in a care home quashed.