Equality & Diversity
Every person we support is treated with dignity, respect, and complete acceptance of who they are.
Our Commitment
Inclusion at the heart of everything we do
At Highfield Services, we believe every person has the right to be treated as an individual, with their identity, beliefs, and background fully respected. We are committed to equality and diversity across all our services, and we actively work to ensure that nobody is disadvantaged or discriminated against.
Our approach is guided by the Equality Act 2010, which protects people from discrimination based on protected characteristics including religion and belief, sexual orientation, and gender reassignment. We go beyond legal compliance to foster a culture of genuine inclusion and respect.
Religion & Faith
Respecting the beliefs of everyone we support
Faith and spirituality can be a vital part of a person's identity and wellbeing. We recognise and celebrate the diversity of religious beliefs and practices among the people we support, and we work to ensure that everyone is able to express and practise their faith freely.
Respecting all faiths and none
We support people of all religions and belief systems, as well as those with no religious belief. No faith is treated as more important than another.
Religious observance and practice
We work with individuals and their families to accommodate religious practices, including prayer times, places of worship, religious festivals, and spiritual rituals.
Diet and personal care
We respect dietary requirements rooted in faith, including Halal, Kosher, vegetarian, and other religiously guided food preferences, as a normal part of our care planning.
Cultural and religious celebrations
We support individuals to mark and celebrate important religious events and holidays that are meaningful to them, wherever possible.
Staff training and awareness
Our staff receive training to help them understand and sensitively respond to the religious and cultural needs of the people they support.
LGBTQIA+ Inclusion
A safe, affirming environment for everyone
We are proud to support people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and all other identities within the LGBTQIA+ community. Every person we support deserves to feel safe, accepted, and celebrated for who they are.
Our Pledge
We stand with the LGBTQIA+ community
Highfield Services has zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, or disrespectful treatment of LGBTQIA+ individuals, whether they are people we support, family members, staff, or visitors. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels genuinely welcome.
We recognise that LGBTQIA+ people with learning disabilities can face additional challenges, and we are committed to providing support that is sensitive to and aware of the specific needs and experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Identity and pronouns
We use the names and pronouns that individuals ask us to use, and we support all staff to do the same consistently and respectfully.
Privacy and confidentiality
A person's sexual orientation or gender identity is their personal information. We never disclose this without their express consent.
Relationships and personal life
We support the right of the people we care for to have relationships and express their identity freely, in line with their wishes and their care plan.
Staff training
Our staff are trained on LGBTQIA+ awareness, inclusive language, and how to provide affirming, respectful support to all individuals.
Zero tolerance for discrimination
Any form of homophobic, biphobic, or transphobic behaviour or language is taken seriously and addressed promptly in line with our policies.
Neurodiversity
Celebrating different ways of thinking
Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in how people's brains work. Many of the people we support are neurodivergent, including those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other neurological differences. We see neurodiversity as a strength, and we tailor our support to work with each person's unique way of experiencing the world.
Our Approach
Support that works with the individual
We recognise that neurodivergent people may experience the world, communicate, and process information differently. Our staff are trained to understand these differences and to adapt their approach so that every person feels comfortable, understood, and fully supported.
We work closely with individuals, their families, and relevant professionals to develop support plans that reflect each person's specific needs, preferences, and communication style.
Person-centred support planning
Every support plan is built around the individual, taking into account their neurological profile, sensory needs, communication preferences, and daily routines.
Sensory and environmental awareness
We consider sensory sensitivities and work to create environments and routines that minimise unnecessary stress and support each person to feel safe and settled.
Communication support
We support a wide range of communication styles and methods, including non-verbal communication, visual aids, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools.
Staff training
Our staff receive ongoing training in neurodiversity awareness, autism-informed practice, and how to provide consistent, predictable, and compassionate support.
Celebrating strengths
We focus on what individuals can do and are interested in, building on their strengths and passions as part of a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Legal Framework
The Equality Act 2010
Our equality and diversity commitments are underpinned by the Equality Act 2010. This legislation protects people from discrimination based on nine protected characteristics, including religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, age, disability, and more.
We are committed to meeting and exceeding our obligations under this Act, and we regularly review our policies and practices to ensure they reflect the highest standards of inclusion.