A new guide has been published to help practitioners use human rights principles to improve decision-making and outcomes for young autistic people and those with learning disabilities. Commissioned by the Local Government Association in collaboration with the British Institute of Human Rights, the guide emphasises the importance of person-centred, least restrictive practices.
Targeted at practitioners working with 14 to 25-year-olds, the guide provides information on human rights duties alongside practical case studies. It explains how the UK’s Human Rights Act (HRA), which incorporates rights from the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, can be applied to everyday care. Practitioners are encouraged to use the HRA framework to review decisions internally, work collaboratively with colleagues, and address issues with other services, all while focusing on delivering quality, person-centred care.
The guide also stresses the importance of empowering young people, their families, and advocates to understand and assert their rights. It highlights the need to listen and respond to concerns about public bodies not respecting or protecting these rights. Effective care planning is key, ensuring individual needs and preferences are reflected in plans while any restrictive measures are carefully considered and justified.
Key rights discussed include freedom from discrimination, the right to liberty, the right to respect for private and family life, and protection from inhuman or degrading treatment. The guide aims to ensure these principles underpin all decisions and practices, supporting young people in achieving the best possible outcomes.
