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Support equality, diversity, inclusion, and rights of individuals

URN: HSCCLD28
Business Sectors (Suites): Health and Social Care & Childcare Learning and Development
Developed by: Skills for Care & Development
Approved: 2026

Overview

This standard outlines the requirements for supporting and protecting the rights of individuals. It includes supporting individuals to exercise their rights and respect the rights of others, fostering a rights-based culture that values equality, diversity, and inclusion. It also highlights the importance of actions that promote trust and confidence in upholding these rights.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. support individuals to understand and express their rights, values, culture, spirituality and preferences  
  2. ensure individuals have access to communication or advocacy support they require 
  3. support the rights of individuals to communicate using their preferred language and communication method 
  4. listen and respond in ways that show you value and respect the rights, values, culture, spirituality and preferences of individuals
  5. support individuals to make informed choices and decisions about their lives, wellbeing and positive risk taking 
  6. work in partnership with individuals and others to identify and access resources and support to meet their preferences and needs
  7. support the rights of individuals to access information held about themselves and make comments and complaints 
  8. ensure that rights, values, culture, spirituality and preferences of individuals are at the centre of all actions and decisions 
  9. support individuals to exercise their rights and to respect the rights of others 
  10. work in partnership with individuals to support them to address challenges to equality, diversity and inclusion 
  11. contribute to records and reports required for equality, diversity, inclusion and rights of individuals
  12. reflect on how you carried out your roles and responsibilities to promote the equality, diversity, inclusion and rights of individuals, with feedback from others

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. what protected characteristics are
  2. the different types of discrimination and the impact on equality, diversity, inclusion and rights of individuals
  3. the possible effects of stigma, stereotyping, prejudice and labelling on individuals
  4. the importance of using communication styles and methods to support the equality, diversity, inclusion and rights of individuals
  5. how to support emotional regulation when expressing rights, values, culture, spirituality and preferences
  6. the importance of advocacy and interpreters to support equality, diversity, inclusion and rights, and how to access these
  7. types of digital tools and devices that can support equality, diversity, inclusion and rights of individuals
  8. the influence of neurodivergence and additional needs on the equality, diversity, inclusion and rights of individuals 
  9. how to apply trauma informed principles to support the equality, diversity, inclusion and rights of individuals 
  10. the importance of dignity, kindness and compassion in supporting the equality, diversity, inclusion and rights of individuals 
  11. how to empower individuals to exercise their rights and respect the rights of others 
  12. the influence of culture, background and spirituality on the equality, diversity, inclusion and rights of individuals
  13. the records and reports required to support equality, diversity, inclusion and rights of individuals
  14. the relevant legal requirements, standards of practice, frameworks, and guidance for supporting equality, diversity, inclusion and rights of individuals
  15. the workplace requirements on equality, diversity, inclusion and rights
  16. how to work in partnership with others to support equality, diversity, inclusion and rights of individuals
  17. how your personal experiences and unconscious bias may impact when supporting equality, diversity, inclusion and rights of individuals, and how to address this
  18. the role of supervision, reflective practice and learning and development in supporting equality, diversity, inclusion and rights of individuals

Scope/range

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

The glossary for this National Occupational Standard is available on the Skills for Care and Development website.

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

1

Indicative Review Date

2031

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Skills for Care & Development

Original URN

HSCCLD28

Relevant Occupations

Social Care and Childrens Care

SOC Code

Keywords

Equality, diversity, inclusion and rights, Health and Social Care & Children’s Care Learning and Development