Purpose and Scope

• The policy's primary focus is promoting and protecting the equality and human rights of Service Users.

• It commits Aura Norfolk LTD to providing care fairly and indiscriminately, treating each Service User as a unique person with bespoke needs.

• The policy applies to all Staff and Volunteers (Roles Affected), and Service Users (People Affected), as well as various Stakeholders.

• It follows the human rights principles outlined as FREDA: Fairness, Respect, Equality, Dignity, and Autonomy.

• Equality and human rights for staff are addressed in a separate Equality and Diversity policy and procedure.

Key Principles and Commitments

• Core Commitment: Aura Norfolk LTD is committed to providing care fairly and indiscriminately, treating each Service User as a unique person with bespoke needs. The Service User's right to live as they choose is honored, and any restrictions on their rights must be strictly necessary and proportionate.

• Human Rights Principles (FREDA): The policy follows the human rights principles outlined as FREDA: Fairness, Respect, Equality, Dignity, and Autonomy.

• Legal Compliance: The policy ensures actions and decisions are compliant with the Human Rights Act 1998, the Equality Act 2010, and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).

• Quality Statements: The policy supports meeting several Quality Statements, including Kindness, compassion and dignity (QSC1); Independence, choice and control (QSC3); and Consent to care and treatment (QSE6).

• Protected Characteristics: Aura Norfolk LTD will not tolerate unlawful discrimination, victimisation, bullying, or harassment based on the protected characteristics from the Equality Act 2010, which include age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Procedure and Human Rights Articles

The procedure focuses on delivering 'rights-respecting care' and training staff on key articles of the Human Rights Act:

• Right to Life (Article 2): Aura Norfolk LTD takes reasonable steps to protect and maintain the Service User’s life, while also having clear policies on supporting end-of-life wishes, including Advance Decisions to Refuse Treatment.

• Right to Liberty (Article 5): Care is provided in the least restrictive way, following the principles of the MCA 2005.

• Freedom from Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (Article 3): This right must never be breached and underpins all care commitments. Breaches include physical or mental abuse, failure to discreetly address incontinence, or using inappropriate force to restrain Service Users.

• Respect for Private and Family Life (Article 8): Service Users' rights to maintain contact with families and friends are supported, and their right to privacy is respected, including during visits and sexual relationships. The use of CCTV must adhere to CQC guidance on surveillance.

Care Planning and Adjustments

• Person-Centred Care: Care Plans are clearly person-centred, celebrating uniqueness and reflecting a commitment to Service Users' rights to live as they choose.

• "Blanket Rules": The organization is committed to identifying and removing "blanket rules" and enabling specific religious or cultural practices important to the individual.

• Reasonable Adjustments: Aura Norfolk LTD will ensure reasonable adjustments are reviewed on an individual basis and detailed in the Care Plan, as required by the Equality Act 2010. Examples include providing information in specific formats or adjusting the timing of assessments.

• Accessible Information Standard (AIS): The policy outlines the six outcomes of the AIS that Aura Norfolk LTD must meet: Identifying, Recording, Flagging, Sharing, Meeting, and Reviewing needs.

Management Responsibility

The Registered Manager, Arlen Figuracion, and the Nominated Individual have overall management responsibility for this policy and procedure.People and Roles Affected

• Roles Affected: All Staff and Volunteers.

• People Affected: Service Users.

• Stakeholders Affected: Family, Advocates, Representatives, Commissioners, and External health professionals (including Local Authority and NHS).