Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Audit - Care Homes

Evidence to check

• • Staff can explain EDI in practical care terms, not just refer to the policy
• • EDI policy is current and aligned with the Equality Act 2010 and human rights principles
• • Staff understand how discrimination, exclusion or assumptions can affect care
• • Observed practice shows residents are treated as individuals with equal respect

Evidence to check

• • EDI and unconscious bias training records
• • Staff scenario-based responses
• • Supervision or team meeting records discussing inclusive practice
• • Evidence that poor or discriminatory practice is challenged and corrected

Evidence to check

• • Staff can explain protected characteristics and how they relate to care
• • Care plans reflect relevant protected characteristics where the resident chooses to share them
• • Residents are not stereotyped, ignored or treated less favourably
• • Incidents or concerns involving discrimination are recorded and acted on

Evidence to check

• • Care plans include cultural, religious, identity and personal preferences
• • Staff can explain what matters to individual residents
• • Daily notes show preferences are respected in practice
• • Residents or families confirm that identity and preferences are understood where possible

Evidence to check

• • Care plans record cultural and religious practices
• • Support with prayer, faith visits, clothing, festivals or rituals where requested
• • Kitchen and activity plans reflect cultural or religious needs
• • Residents are not prevented from practising beliefs because of routine or convenience

Evidence to check

• • Communication care plans
• • Use of hearing aids, glasses, large print, easy-read, pictures, interpreters or translation support
• • Staff can explain how individual residents communicate
• • Residents with communication needs are included in reviews, activities and decisions

Evidence to check

• • Care plans record identity or relationship preferences where the resident chooses to share them
• • Staff use respectful language, names and pronouns
• • Residents are supported to maintain relationships and privacy
• • Any homophobic, biphobic, transphobic or discriminatory behaviour is challenged and recorded

Evidence to check

• • Staff can describe how they would challenge discriminatory comments or behaviour
• • Incident records involving discriminatory behaviour
• • Management support for staff who challenge discrimination
• • Affected residents or staff are supported and protected

Evidence to check

• • Incident, complaint or safeguarding records involving discrimination
• • Investigation records and outcomes
• • Learning shared with staff
• • Actions taken to prevent recurrence

Evidence to check

• • Dietary needs recorded in care plans and kitchen lists
• • Observed meals match recorded dietary needs
• • Residents have suitable alternatives where needed
• • Kitchen and care staff have consistent dietary information

Evidence to check

• • Accessible signage and information displayed
• • Easy-read, large print, pictorial or translated materials where needed
• • Residents can identify key areas such as bedrooms, bathrooms and communal spaces
• • Information is reviewed when resident needs change

Evidence to check

• • Recruitment and promotion records
• • Shortlisting and interview scoring are fair and consistent
• • Reasonable adjustments offered to staff where needed
• • Workforce EDI issues reviewed through supervision or governance

Evidence to check

• • Resident surveys, meetings or one-to-one feedback
• • Feedback from families, advocates or representatives where appropriate
• • Feedback includes residents who may be less likely to speak up
• • Actions taken where feedback identifies exclusion or poor cultural understanding

Evidence to check

• • Staff use inclusive and respectful language
• • Residents are not assumed to be heterosexual or cisgender
• • Privacy and relationships are respected
• • Evidence that LGBTQ+ inclusion is discussed in training, supervision or team meetings

Evidence to check

• • End-of-life care plans record cultural, religious and spiritual wishes
• • Family, faith leaders or community contacts involved where requested
• • After-death wishes and rituals respected where possible
• • Staff can explain individual end-of-life preferences

Evidence to check

• • Care plans identify community, cultural, language or faith links
• • Support with visits, calls, community groups, faith groups or cultural events
• • Barriers to maintaining connections are identified and addressed
• • Residents confirm they feel connected and included where possible

Evidence to check

• • Quality reports consider equality and inclusion themes
• • Complaints, incidents, activities and feedback reviewed for patterns
• • Outcomes considered for residents with protected characteristics or communication needs
• • Actions taken where disadvantage or inequity is identified

Evidence to check

• • Relevant staff training records
• • Care plans identify individual communication, sensory and emotional needs
• • Observed practice shows staff adapting their approach
• • Residents are not excluded from choices, activities or decisions because of diagnosis

Evidence to check

• • Environmental accessibility checks
• • Use of ramps, handrails, contrast colours, signage, lighting and accessible layouts
• • Residents can access communal areas, bedrooms, gardens and facilities where possible
• • Reasonable adjustments are reviewed when needs change

Evidence to check

• • Personal care plans record dignity, privacy and gender preferences
• • Staff understand and respect individual preferences
• • Requests are accommodated where reasonably possible
• • Any inability to meet preferences is explained, risk assessed and reviewed

Evidence to check

• • Feedback methods adapted for communication, cognition, language or confidence needs
• • Advocates, families or representatives involved where appropriate
• • Residents who rarely speak up are supported to share views
• • Actions show feedback led to practical improvements

Evidence to check

• • Activity and wellbeing records identify non-participation or exclusion
• • Barriers such as mobility, hearing, language, cognition, confidence or culture are reviewed
• • Reasonable adjustments made to support participation
• • Residents are offered alternatives that suit their needs and preferences

Evidence to check

• • Activity plans include resident-led cultural, religious or identity-related events
• • Displays and events avoid tokenism or stereotypes
• • Residents choose whether and how to participate
• • Celebrations are linked to current residents' lives and communities

Evidence to check

• • Interpreter or translation arrangements available
• • Care planning and consent discussions use appropriate communication support
• • Family members are not relied on inappropriately for sensitive interpretation
• • Translated or accessible information provided where needed

Evidence to check

• • Governance reports include EDI themes
• • Incidents, complaints, safeguarding, activity participation and feedback reviewed for inequality
• • Actions are assigned where inequity is identified
• • Senior leaders review whether improvements are sustained

Evidence to check

• • Reasonable adjustment records
• • Care plans or staff records identify required adjustments
• • Adjustments are implemented and reviewed
• • People are not disadvantaged because adjustments were delayed or ignored

Evidence to check

• • Observation of staff interactions
• • Residents with high dependency or limited communication receive equal attention
• • Care notes use respectful and non-judgemental language
• • Concerns about dismissive or unequal treatment are addressed

Evidence to check

• • Team meeting minutes
• • Supervision records
• • Reflective discussions after incidents, complaints or feedback
• • Staff can describe recent learning about inclusion or equality

Evidence to check

• • Named EDI lead or champion
• • Role description or responsibilities defined
• • Evidence of audits, staff guidance, learning or action planning
• • Lead reports EDI issues to management or governance forums

Evidence to check

• • Policy review records
• • Training updated after incidents, feedback or changes in resident needs
• • Resident demographic and communication needs considered
• • Actions from EDI reviews are implemented and checked for effectiveness