Swift Care Services Policy on Promoting Dignity, Rights, and Choice

Swift Care Services Policy
on Promoting Dignity,
Rights, and Choice

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Swift Care Services Policy on Promoting Dignity, Rights, and Choice

PURPOSE

This policy sets out Swift Care Services’ commitment to embedding dignity, rights, and choice into all aspects of care and support. It demonstrates how our approach aligns with:

The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) five key questions: safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led.
Ofsted’s requirements for supported accommodation and children’s social care services, including safeguarding, participation, and achieving positive outcomes.

POLICY STATEMENT

At Swift Care, we recognize that high-quality support extends beyond meeting physical needs. Our practice is underpinned by respect for human dignity, the promotion of individual rights, and the empowerment of people to make choices about their own lives. These principles guide all staff and are reinforced through training, supervision, and governance.

POLICY AIMS

To ensure that dignity is upheld in every aspect of care and support.
To protect and promote the rights of individuals in line with safeguarding legislation and equality standards.
To empower individuals to make informed choices and participate fully in decisions that affect their lives.
To provide evidence of compliance with CQC and Ofsted standards.

DIGNITY: RESPECT AT EVERY STEP

Swift Care Services commits to:

Preserving privacy and respecting personal boundaries during care delivery.
Communicating with kindness, patience, and respect.
Supporting individuals to maintain independence, skills, and confidence.

CQC Link: Caring (C1, C2) – People are treated with compassion, dignity, and respect.
Ofsted Link: Children and young people are treated with dignity and supported to develop self-worth.

RIGHTS: PROTECTING AND EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS

Swift Care Services ensures that:

People understand their rights and how to exercise them.
Individuals are supported to access healthcare, education, employment, and community life.
Discrimination, abuse, or neglect are challenged and reported in line with safeguarding procedures.

CQC Link: Safe (S1, S2), Effective (E1) – People are protected from abuse, and their human rights are upheld.
Ofsted Link: Providers safeguard children, promote equality, and actively protect welfare and wellbeing.

CHOICE: PUTTING PEOPLE IN CONTROL

Swift Care Services promotes choice by:

Offering flexibility in routines, meals, activities, and lifestyle decisions.
Involving individuals in care planning, goal setting, and reviews.
Respecting and supporting decisions, even where these differ from professional or family preferences.

CQC Link: Responsive (R1, R2) – Care is tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Ofsted Link: Children and young people’s voices are central to planning and review.

IMPLEMENTATION IN EVERYDAY PRACTICE

Staff are trained and supported to apply this policy in:

Personal care and daily living support.
Encouraging independence, social participation, and community inclusion.
Responding flexibly to changing needs and circumstances.

CQC Link: Effective (E2, E3), Responsive (R3).
Ofsted Link: Care and support is individualised, outcome-focused, and responsive to children’s and young people’s changing needs.

IMPACT ON FAMILIES AND CARERS

We recognise the importance of working collaboratively with families, advocates, and professionals. Families trust Swift Care because their loved ones are treated with compassion, respect, and fairness. By upholding dignity, rights, and choice, individuals thrive, and families gain reassurance that support is safe, person-centred, and enabling.

GOVERNANCE AND MONITORING

This policy is implemented through:

Staff induction and ongoing training.
Regular supervision and reflective practice sessions.
Quality assurance audits linked to CQC and Ofsted standards.
Feedback from individuals, families, and professionals.

CQC Link: Well-led (W1–W5) – Leadership, governance, and culture ensure high-quality, person-centred care.
Ofsted Link: Leaders and managers create a culture of respect, participation, and continuous improvement.

REVIEW

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if required by changes in regulation, guidance, or best practice

APPENDIX A – PRACTICE GUIDANCE FOR STAFF

This guidance sets out how all Swift Care Services staff should apply the principles of dignity, rights, and choice in everyday support. It is designed to provide practical steps, ensuring consistency across our services and compliance with CQC and Ofsted requirements.

PROMOTING DIGNITY

Always knock before entering a room and wait for permission.
Use respectful language and tone; avoid terms that may feel patronising.
Offer privacy during personal care, medical discussions, and sensitive conversations.
Support individuals to maintain personal appearance and routines in ways that reflect their preferences.
Encourage independence by offering assistance only when needed, not automatically.

Linked Standards:

CQC – Caring (C1, C2)
Ofsted – Children and young people are respected, valued, and supported to build self-esteem.

PROTECTING AND PROMOTING RIGHTS

Be alert to signs of abuse, neglect, or discrimination and follow safeguarding procedures without delay.
Ensure individuals know how to raise concerns or complaints and support them if required.
Provide accessible information on rights, entitlements, and advocacy services.
Actively support access to education, employment, healthcare, and community participation.
Treat all individuals equally, regardless of background, identity, or ability.

Linked Standards:

CQC – Safe (S1, S2), Effective (E1)
Ofsted – Providers safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.

SUPPORTING CHOICE AND INDEPENDENCE

Involve individuals in care planning and reviews; use their views as the starting point.
Offer choices in meals, clothing, activities, and daily routines wherever possible.
Respect decisions, even where staff or families might prefer a different option.
Encourage individuals to try new experiences safely, building skills and confidence.
Record and review preferences to ensure care plans remain person-centred.

Linked Standards:

CQC – Responsive (R1, R2)
Ofsted – Children and young people’s voices are central to planning and decision-making

EVERYDAY PRACTICE

Be punctual and reliable; consistency builds trust.
Encourage social contact, friendships, and positive community engagement.
Recognise and celebrate achievements, no matter how small.
Use reflective practice to consider how your actions uphold dignity, rights, and choice.
Share good practice and learning with colleagues during team meetings and supervision.

Linked Standards:

CQC – Effective (E2, E3), Well-led (W1–W5)
Ofsted – Leadership and staff practice support positive outcomes and continuous improvement.

STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

Every member of staff is responsible for upholding this policy in daily practice.
Managers will monitor compliance through observations, feedback, and audits.
Training and supervision will reinforce these principles and provide ongoing learning opportunities.