1.2. Explain how rights are promoted in health and social care services

This guide will help you answer 1.2. Explain how rights are promoted in health and social care services.

Promoting rights in health and social care is about making sure individuals are treated fairly, equally, and with respect. It ensures that everyone, no matter their background, has access to the care and services they need. It also helps people feel valued, listened to, and treated with dignity.

Health and social care workers have a responsibility to uphold and protect the rights of those they support. Rights are central to high-quality care and must be embedded into everyday practice.

What are Rights?

Rights are entitlements that everyone has, regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, or ability. They are often protected by law, and in the UK, this includes laws like the Human Rights Act 1998, the Equality Act 2010, and the Care Act 2014.

Examples of rights include:

• The right to privacy
• The right to be treated with dignity and respect
• The right to choice and independence
• The right to safety and security
• The right to access services

Staff working in health and social care must promote these rights and integrate them into their daily interactions with individuals.

Respecting Equality and Diversity

Equality and diversity mean valuing people’s differences and treating them fairly. Promoting equality means ensuring that everyone has equal access to care and services, without discrimination. Promoting diversity means recognising, respecting, and valuing the unique characteristics of each individual.

Examples of how these can be promoted include:

• Providing care plans that reflect an individual’s specific cultural or religious needs (e.g., dietary preferences or prayer times)
• Offering materials in different languages, large print, or Braille to support people with different backgrounds or needs
• Challenging discrimination when it occurs in the workplace or during care delivery

By promoting equality and diversity, workers ensure no one is excluded or treated unfairly.

Encouraging Choice and Independence

People have the right to make choices about their own lives, even when they require support. Promoting choice helps individuals maintain control and independence, giving them ownership over their care.

Ways to support choice include:

• Offering options for care services, meals, or daily activities
• Involving the individual in planning their care
• Respecting personal decisions, even when they differ from what others might choose

Encouraging independence empowers individuals to do as much as they can for themselves. For example, helping rather than doing might involve supporting a person to dress themselves rather than doing it for them, even if it takes longer.

Maintaining Privacy and Confidentiality

Privacy is a fundamental right that must be respected in every interaction. Confidentiality means safeguarding personal information and only sharing it when absolutely necessary, such as if someone’s safety is at risk.

Examples of ways to promote privacy and confidentiality:

• Knocking on doors before entering a room
• Covering someone appropriately during personal care
• Storing records securely and limiting access to authorised staff only
• Using screens or private rooms during sensitive conversations

Breaches of privacy or confidentiality can undermine trust. Following legal obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018 and organisational policies ensures individuals are protected.

Protecting Dignity

Dignity involves valuing individuals and treating them in a way that shows respect. Promoting dignity may include listening carefully to someone’s wishes or addressing them with their preferred name or title instead of making assumptions.

Practical examples include:

• Involving individuals in decisions about their care
• Supporting them to maintain personal hygiene while respecting their boundaries
• Avoiding patronising language or behaviour

Treating people with dignity strengthens their self-esteem and allows them to feel respected and valued.

Advocating for Rights

Advocacy involves supporting someone to ensure their voice is heard and their rights upheld. Some individuals, particularly those with disabilities or communication challenges, may find it harder to express their needs or preferences.

Examples of advocacy in practice:

• Helping individuals to access independent advocacy services
• Speaking up for someone if their rights are being ignored
• Assisting someone to understand their entitlements

By taking on this supportive role, health and social care professionals empower individuals who might otherwise feel overlooked or disadvantaged.

Implementing Laws and Policies

Laws and workplace policies set standards for protecting and promoting rights. Staff must follow procedures to ensure a rights-based approach. Legislation like the Human Rights Act 1998 ensures basic freedoms, such as the right to life and freedom of expression, are protected.

Examples of legislative relevance in practice:

• Using risk assessments to protect someone from harm while still respecting their rights
• Adhering to discrimination laws by providing equal opportunities across services
• Applying safeguarding policies to protect children or vulnerable adults from abuse

Ongoing training helps staff understand how legislation applies to their day-to-day activities.

Providing Accessible Services

Accessibility is key to promoting rights. Services must be available and usable for everyone, regardless of physical ability, location, or language.

This may involve:

• Installing ramps or lifts for wheelchair users
• Providing interpreters or translation services
• Offering assistance to individuals with sensory impairments

Making services accessible removes barriers and ensures that all individuals can exercise their right to receive care and support.

Creating a Person-Centred Approach

A person-centred approach focuses on the individual’s needs, wishes, and preferences. It places the individual at the heart of decision-making.

Steps to achieve this include:

• Developing personalised care plans
• Building relationships based on trust and open communication
• Ensuring people have a say in how their care is delivered

This approach promotes choice, respect, and individualised care, which are all part of promoting rights.

Challenging Discrimination

Discrimination occurs when someone is treated unfairly because of their characteristics, such as age, gender, or race. Challenging discrimination means creating an environment that does not tolerate unfair treatment.

This can involve:

• Addressing stereotypes or prejudiced comments
• Encouraging a zero-tolerance approach within the organisation
• Supporting colleagues or individuals experiencing discrimination

By acting against unfair practices, staff demonstrate that everyone deserves respect and fair treatment.

Balancing Safety with Rights

Sometimes, promoting rights involves balancing individual freedoms with their safety. For example, someone may want to make choices that staff believe are risky. Workers need to manage these situations carefully, always respecting the individual’s right to make decisions unless there is evidence of harm.

Steps may include:

• Completing risk assessments to understand potential dangers
• Explaining risks to individuals in a clear and supportive way
• Involving other professionals or family members, where appropriate, to reach a shared decision

Balancing safety and rights can sometimes be challenging, but open and respectful communication can help individuals feel heard and supported.

Training and Development for Staff

Staff training is an effective way to embed rights into everyday practice. Training not only increases awareness but ensures workers have the skills and confidence to apply what they’ve learnt when delivering care.

Key areas for training include:

• Understanding legislation and policies around rights
• Recognising and challenging discriminatory behaviour
• Improving communication to support those who may struggle to express their needs

Regular opportunities to develop professionally keep care standards high and promote a strong culture of respect for rights across the organisation.

The Importance of Communication

Good communication is a key way to promote rights. Listening to an individual’s concerns, answering questions clearly, or providing information in an accessible way helps build trust and shows respect. Communication also ensures the individual understands their rights and can make informed decisions.

For example:

• Using simple language for those with learning disabilities
• Providing visual aids or interpreters for individuals with hearing or language difficulties
• Having regular discussions about care options

Effective communication supports better relationships and ensures individuals feel respected.

Final Thoughts

Promoting rights in health and social care services ensures individuals are treated fairly and respectfully while receiving the support they need. It’s about putting the person at the centre of care and recognising their value. This approach creates an environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered. Workers, through their actions and attitudes, play a direct role in embedding these rights into practice every day.