Culturally appropriate care (also called 'culturally competent care') is sensitive to people's cultural identity or heritage. It means being alert and responsive to beliefs or conventions that might be determined by cultural heritage.
Cultural identity or heritage can cover a range of things. For example, it might be based on ethnicity, nationality or religion. Or it might be to do with the person's sexuality or gender identity. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have a particular culture. So do Deaf people who use British Sign Language.
Why culturally appropriate adult social care is more important during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
People using services may:
- have less contact with people that understand and affirm their culture - for example, family and friends
- have no opportunity for contact with their culture or community outside their home
- spend more time with people who do not share their culture - for example in a care home
- experience more life events that have cultural significance - for example, they may be at the end of their life or lose someone close to them
How culturally appropriate care is relevant to the regulations and our key questions
The regulations culturally appropriate care is relevant to are:
It's also relevant to our key questions.
Safe
- Recording and acting on cultural considerations about medicines.
- Protecting people from discrimination and harassment over characteristics protected by the Equality Act.
Effective
- Looking at people’s needs overall and protecting them from discrimination.
- The service takes cultural, ethical and religious needs into account when planning meals and drinks. Cultural needs are reflected in how premises are decorated.
- If someone lacks capacity for a particular decision, the service takes their cultural preferences into account when applying the Mental Capacity Act – for example, by consulting people that know them.
Caring
- Staff support people in culturally sensitive ways. They recognise when people’s preferences are not being taken on board or properly respected.
- Knowing and respecting people, and showing them compassion.
- Making visitors feel welcome.
Responsive
- People, their families and carers are involved in developing their care plans. This includes identifying their needs on the grounds of equality characteristics and looking at how those needs are met. It also includes finding out about their choices and preferences. The plans are reviewed regularly.
- Staff have the right learning and development to help them understand and meet these needs.
- Helping people take part in activities that are culturally relevant to them.
- In end of life care, people feel their needs relating to equality characteristics have been considered as part of the planning process. People's religious beliefs and preferences are respected.
Full list of equality characteristics
Characteristics protected under the Equality Act are:
- age
- disability
- ethnicity and nationality
- religion and belief
- sex
- sexual orientation
- gender reassignment
- pregnancy and maternity
Well-led
- The service has a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empowering.
- Leaders, managers and staff have a good understanding of equality, diversity and human rights.
- Leaders, managers and staff encourage people to express views and concerns. They listen and act on them to help shape the service and culture.
- The service promotes equality and diversity.
- The service looks into any instances of workforce inequality and takes action. Staff feel they are treated equally. The service makes sure it hears the voices of all staff and acts on them to help shape the service and culture.
Making it real: 6 themes of personalised care and support (Think Local Act Personal)
Equality and diversity learning and development resources (Skills for Care)
Care Certificate standards (Skills for Care)
Equally outstanding: how a focus on equality and human rights can improve quality of care (CQC)
Person-centred care resources (Social Care Institute for Excellence)
Cultural and religious needs of people with dementia (Social Care Institute for Excellence)
Communication skills e-learning course (Social Care Institute for Excellence)