Rights & choices · England
Your culture and beliefs
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The things that matter to you deserve respect.
People should ask about your own wishes.
Your culture is part of who you are.
It can include language, food, music and family traditions.
Tell people what matters to you.
You can use words, pictures, objects or your communication aid.
You may follow a religion.
You may have no religion.
You can change your beliefs.
People should not pressure you to believe something.
You can choose not to attend.
Put important preferences in your support plan.
Ask who will help make them happen.
Religious meetings and services
You may want to attend religious meetings or services.
Say where you want to go and when.
Ask for help to get there and take part.
Making the support happen
Agree who will help and when.
Plan what happens if they are unavailable.
Ask for a review if the support is not happening.
Keeping cultural connections
You may want to meet people who share your culture or language.
Ask for help to keep in touch and join activities.
Prayer and personal practices
Tell staff about prayer, clothing or objects that matter to you.
Ask for the time, space and support you need.
Tell supporters about food and personal care preferences.
Ask them to explain if something cannot be arranged.
You may want private time or space.
Other people’s privacy matters too.
Not using speech does not mean having no wishes.
Supporters should take time to understand you.
Tell someone if you feel pressured or treated unfairly.
An advocate can help you speak up.
Ask for changes if your support overlooks important things.
Agree when to check the changes.
What you can do next
This resource explains your rights using longer words.
You can ask someone to read it with you.
Read about freedom of belief Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- EHRC: freedom of thought, belief and religion Web page
Explains Article 9 and its limits. Uses longer words.
- CQC: culturally appropriate care Web page
Guidance for care providers on understanding individual needs and preferences.
- CQC: dignity and respect Web page
Expectations about privacy, preferences, relationships and respectful regulated care.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Your culture, religion, beliefs and sense of belonging
Respecting your beliefs, attending religious services, keeping cultural connections and planning the support that matters to you.
People with learning disabilities, families and supporters · England
Begin with your own identity
Culture can include language, food, family traditions, music, hair care, clothing and ways of celebrating. You may identify with more than one community or with none of the labels other people use. Ask supporters to learn what matters to you. A name, appearance, diagnosis or family background does not tell someone everything about your preferences.
Religion, belief and choosing not to believe
You may follow a religion, hold non-religious beliefs, explore different ideas or not want to discuss faith. Article 9 protects freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including changing beliefs. It also protects certain non-religious beliefs. Public authorities must not force someone to hold a belief. Rights to express beliefs can be subject to lawful, necessary and proportionate restrictions in the circumstances explained by the EHRC.
Put important preferences into your plan
Explain what you want kept in everyday life: preferred foods, meaningful objects, prayer, celebrations, clothing or contact with a community. Record practical support, who will arrange it and what is still uncertain. Use the person-centred planning guide to connect preferences with actual arrangements. A completed form is not enough if the agreed help never happens.
Support communication and understanding
Ask for information in a language and form you understand. A person may need communication aids, interpretation or both. Explain the topic directly to the person rather than assuming relatives should answer. Allow time to understand and ask how they want others involved. Different communication needs should not prevent opportunities to explore beliefs, take part or choose not to join in.
Support to attend religious meetings and services
Tell supporters which services, meetings or ceremonies you want to attend, where and how often. Plan travel, support hours, accessible entrances, toilets, communication and any personal care you need. Agree who will arrange the help and a backup if they are unavailable. Support should take account of the times that matter to you. Ask for a care review if it repeatedly does not happen. Online worship or a shorter visit can be options if you want them; explain if you prefer to attend in person.
Keeping your cultural connections
You may want contact with people who share your language, culture or experiences. This could include friends, community groups, familiar music, celebrations or visits to places that matter to you. Ask for practical help to keep these connections. Culture is part of everyday life, not just special occasions. Ask what you can choose and how support will make it possible.
Respecting worship and private practices
Explain any prayer times, quiet space, religious objects, clothing or personal care practices that matter to you. Ask staff to check before moving important objects. You may want help contacting a faith leader or chaplain, or you may not. Staff should support your choices without promoting their own beliefs. You can choose not to attend or change your mind.
Respect privacy, food and personal care
Care providers should take individual cultural and religious preferences into account, alongside consent and safe care. Discuss food preparation, hair and skin care, clothing, private space and preferences about who helps with intimate care. If a request cannot be met, ask for a clear explanation and possible alternatives. For fasting or changes involving medicines, seek individual clinical advice rather than changing prescribed treatment yourself.
Include people who need more support to express a view
Use familiar communication, objects, experiences and knowledge from people who know the person well. Distinguish an observed response from someone else’s interpretation. Do not assume a person shares every family belief or has no preferences because they do not speak. If a particular decision requires a capacity assessment or best-interests process, ask how the person’s wishes, values and relevant beliefs will be considered.
Respect others without losing your own voice
People living together may have different beliefs and customs. Agree shared arrangements that respect everyone’s privacy and choices. Staff should not pressure someone to follow their own religion or beliefs. Differences about belief do not justify abuse or degrading treatment. If you experience prejudice, exclusion or pressure, ask for support to explain what happened and what needs to change.
Ask for a review if support overlooks you
Use your one-page profile or care review to identify what has been missed. Give a concrete example, such as repeatedly being served food you have explained you do not eat. Ask for an agreed action and review date. An advocate can help if you are not being heard. The complaints and safeguarding guides explain further steps where care is poor or someone is being harmed.
Words you could use
“Please ask me about my culture, beliefs and preferences instead of making assumptions. These things matter to me: … . This is the support I would like: … .”
More useful links
- EHRC: freedom of thought, belief and religion Web page
Explains Article 9 and its limits. Uses longer words.
- CQC: culturally appropriate care Web page
Guidance for care providers on understanding individual needs and preferences.
- CQC: dignity and respect Web page
Expectations about privacy, preferences, relationships and respectful regulated care.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 5 November 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- EHRC: Article 9 Web page
Holding, changing and expressing religious and non-religious beliefs; lawful limits.
- CQC: culturally appropriate care Web page
Individual cultural preferences, care planning and avoiding assumptions.
- CQC: Regulation 10 Web page
Dignity, privacy, community involvement and protected characteristics.
- NHS England: personalised care and support planning Web page
Planning around individual values and preferences.
- NHS: Mental Capacity Act Web pageFuller information
Supporting decisions and considering a person’s wishes, values and beliefs.
- CQC Regulation 9: person-centred care Web pageLonger information
Care assessments include cultural, religious and spiritual needs, with support to take part and regular review.
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