From Culture to Practice: Real-Life Examples of Identity-Based Support in Adult Social Care

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Person-centred care is fundamentally about recognising who someone is. Culture, faith, gender identity, family relationships and life history shape how people experience care. When services fail to recognise identity, support may meet physical needs but still feel disconnected from the person’s values and daily life.

Many providers structure this work through guidance available in the cultural and identity needs knowledge hub and align operational practice with the wider core principles and values that underpin person-centred social care. When identity is embedded in support planning, services can deliver care that feels meaningful, respectful and inclusive.

Understanding identity in adult social care

Identity is shaped by many factors including culture, religion, gender, sexuality, language, community connections and life experiences. Effective support recognises that these elements influence how people communicate, make decisions and define dignity.

Providers therefore need practical systems to capture identity information and translate it into everyday support decisions.

Embedding identity into support planning

Care plans should clearly reflect identity considerations such as:

• Faith practices and religious observance
• Gender identity and preferred forms of address
• Language preferences and communication needs
• Family roles and decision-making traditions
• Community connections and social belonging

These factors must be reflected in daily routines, staffing arrangements and support delivery.

Operational example 1: Supporting faith and religious observance

Context: A person supported in residential care wishes to attend weekly religious services but has limited transport options.

Support approach: Staff work with local community organisations to arrange accessible transport to religious gatherings.

Day-to-day delivery detail: The support plan includes scheduled assistance with preparation for services, transport arrangements and communication with the faith community.

How effectiveness is evidenced: The individual resumes regular participation in religious activities and reports improved wellbeing and connection with the community.

Operational example 2: Recognising gender identity

Context: A person receiving supported living services identifies as transgender and previously experienced misgendering in services.

Support approach: The provider ensures documentation reflects the individual’s preferred name and pronouns.

Day-to-day delivery detail: Staff receive guidance through supervision sessions and team meetings to ensure respectful communication and inclusive practice.

How effectiveness is evidenced: The person reports increased confidence interacting with staff and feels their identity is respected.

Operational example 3: Maintaining cultural traditions

Context: A person with learning disabilities wishes to celebrate cultural festivals that were previously important to their family.

Support approach: Staff collaborate with family members to understand traditions and plan celebrations.

Day-to-day delivery detail: The team supports participation in cultural events, prepares traditional meals and involves peers in celebrations where appropriate.

How effectiveness is evidenced: The individual reports greater enjoyment of celebrations and improved emotional wellbeing during cultural events.

Commissioner expectation

Commissioner expectation: Commissioners expect services to demonstrate how they promote equality and inclusion. Evidence should show that identity needs are recognised during assessment and actively reflected in care delivery.

Regulator expectation (CQC)

Regulator expectation: CQC inspectors assess whether services treat people with dignity and respect. Inspectors often review whether staff understand personal identity factors and adapt support accordingly.

Governance and assurance

Embedding identity-based care requires leadership oversight. Providers often achieve this through:

• Inclusion prompts within care planning systems
• Staff supervision focusing on dignity and identity
• Training on equality, diversity and cultural awareness
• Quality audits examining personalised care delivery

When identity is embedded into operational practice and governance systems, person-centred care becomes visible in everyday interactions rather than remaining a policy aspiration.

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