Understanding Human Rights in Everyday Care

Human rights form the foundation of fair, respectful and compassionate care. They are not just policies written in legislation or principles referenced during training - they are the everyday commitments that shape how we support, communicate with and protect the people in our care.

For anyone working in the care sector, understanding human rights is essential to delivering meaningful, high-quality support.

What Are Human Rights in Care?

Human rights are the basic freedoms and protections that belong to every person. In the context of care, these rights help ensure that individuals are treated with dignity, respect and equality.

Some of the most important rights related to care include:

• The right to dignity

• The right to privacy

• The right to freedom of choice

• The right to independence

• The right to be safe and protected from harm

• The right to be treated without discrimination

These rights aren’t optional. They guide how care should look and feel - something every support worker has the power to influence daily.

Why They Matter

Upholding human rights in care is critical because it directly impacts a person’s quality of life.

When rights are respected:

• Individuals feel more valued and understood.

• There is greater trust between the care professional and the person receiving support.

• Confidence, wellbeing and emotional safety improve.

• People are more likely to express concerns or preferences openly.

On the other hand, when rights are ignored or overlooked - even unintentionally - it can lead to frustration, fear, distress, or a sense of losing control over one's own life. Human rights are essential for preserving autonomy and personal identity, especially for those who

rely on others for daily support.

How Human Rights Appear in Everyday Practice

One of the most important aspects of human rights in care is that they show up in the small things - every action, every interaction and every choice we offer.

For example:

• Respecting dignity:

Speaking to adults as adults, asking permission, ensuring people are addressed by their preferred name, and maintaining a respectful tone at all times.

• Protecting privacy:

Closing curtains or doors during personal care, safeguarding confidential information and allowing individuals to have private time when they want it.

• Promoting independence:

Encouraging individuals to make their own decisions and do things for themselves - even if it takes longer - while offering support when needed.

• Honouring choice:

Asking before acting, offering alternatives and valuing individual preferences around food, routines, hobbies and daily activities.

• Ensuring safety and safeguarding:

Being alert to risks, responding quickly to concerns, and creating an environment where people feel safe physically, emotionally and socially.

These small, everyday moments form the foundation of a rights-based approach to care.

The Role of Care Providers and Teams

Care providers have a vital responsibility to embed human rights into their organisational culture.

This includes:

• Training staff to understand and recognise human rights

• Encouraging open communication and transparency

• Modelling respectful behaviour from leadership down

• Creating non-judgemental spaces where concerns can be raised

• Putting systems in place to protect individuals and staff

• Continuously reviewing policies to reflect best practice and evolving needs

When human rights are championed consistently across a service, the entire organisation becomes safer, stronger and more person-centred.

How Human Rights Support Better Outcomes

A focus on human rights doesn’t just improve the experience of those receiving care - it directly improves outcomes.

People are more likely to:

• Engage in their own support plans

• Feel confident expressing needs and preferences

• Maintain independence for longer

• Achieve better emotional and physical wellbeing

• Build stronger relationships with their support workers

Organisations also benefit from improved reputation, reduced complaints, more engaged staff and higher overall care standards.

Conclusion

Human rights are at the heart of meaningful, compassionate care. They protect the dignity and individuality of every person and ensure that support is delivered in a way that is safe, fair and empowering. When human rights become part of everyday practice - not just something spoken about during training - the entire care environment becomes more positive, respectful and person-centred.

By understanding and embracing these rights, we help create a culture where individuals feel truly valued and supported, and where care professionals can deliver the high-quality care they are proud of.