Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA)
A Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) is an approach to policy and practice
that places human rights at the centre of all decision making, assessment and
intervention. Rather than viewing individuals as passive recipients of care or
services, the HRBA recognises them as rights-holders who are entitled to dignity,
equality, participation and protection under national and international human
rights law. It also identifies governments, public bodies and professionals as
duty-bearers, responsible for respecting, protecting and fulfilling these rights.
Within social work, a Human Rights-Based Approach promotes empowerment,
social justice, anti-oppressive practice and person-centred care by ensuring that
interventions uphold individuals' rights while addressing inequality and
discrimination.
The Human Rights-Based Approach developed from international human rights
law following the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
(1948). It was further strengthened through legally binding treaties, including the
European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) (1950), the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (1989) and the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) (2006). The
United Nations later promoted HRBA as a framework for public services,
development and social policy, emphasising that human rights should guide
every stage of planning, implementation and evaluation.
Within the United Kingdom, the approach is embedded primarily through the
Human Rights Act 1998, which incorporates most rights contained within the
European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. Human rights principles also
underpin much of social work legislation and professional standards.
A central principle of HRBA is that every individual possesses inherent dignity
and equal rights simply because they are human. Rights do not depend upon
age, disability, nationality, income, health status or social circumstances. Social
workers therefore have a professional responsibility to uphold the rights of all
individuals, particularly those experiencing disadvantage or discrimination.
The Human Rights-Based Approach is commonly understood through the PANEL
principles, developed by the Scottish Human Rights Commission and widely used
across UK public services.
P – Participation
, Individuals should be actively involved in decisions affecting their lives.
Participation means:
Being listened to.
Receiving accessible information.
Expressing wishes and feelings.
Influencing decisions.
Receiving appropriate advocacy where necessary.
Participation reflects the principle that people are experts in their own lives.
A – Accountability
Public bodies and professionals are accountable for respecting and protecting
human rights.
This requires:
Transparent decision making.
Clear recording of decisions.
Opportunities to challenge decisions.
Access to complaints procedures.
Professional responsibility for lawful practice.
N – Non-discrimination
Everyone should have equal access to rights and services without discrimination.
Practitioners actively challenge discrimination relating to:
Disability.
Race.
Religion.
Sex.
Sexual orientation.
Gender reassignment.
Age.
Socioeconomic disadvantage.
Particular attention is given to individuals who experience multiple or
intersecting forms of disadvantage.
E – Empowerment
A Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) is an approach to policy and practice
that places human rights at the centre of all decision making, assessment and
intervention. Rather than viewing individuals as passive recipients of care or
services, the HRBA recognises them as rights-holders who are entitled to dignity,
equality, participation and protection under national and international human
rights law. It also identifies governments, public bodies and professionals as
duty-bearers, responsible for respecting, protecting and fulfilling these rights.
Within social work, a Human Rights-Based Approach promotes empowerment,
social justice, anti-oppressive practice and person-centred care by ensuring that
interventions uphold individuals' rights while addressing inequality and
discrimination.
The Human Rights-Based Approach developed from international human rights
law following the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
(1948). It was further strengthened through legally binding treaties, including the
European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) (1950), the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (1989) and the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) (2006). The
United Nations later promoted HRBA as a framework for public services,
development and social policy, emphasising that human rights should guide
every stage of planning, implementation and evaluation.
Within the United Kingdom, the approach is embedded primarily through the
Human Rights Act 1998, which incorporates most rights contained within the
European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. Human rights principles also
underpin much of social work legislation and professional standards.
A central principle of HRBA is that every individual possesses inherent dignity
and equal rights simply because they are human. Rights do not depend upon
age, disability, nationality, income, health status or social circumstances. Social
workers therefore have a professional responsibility to uphold the rights of all
individuals, particularly those experiencing disadvantage or discrimination.
The Human Rights-Based Approach is commonly understood through the PANEL
principles, developed by the Scottish Human Rights Commission and widely used
across UK public services.
P – Participation
, Individuals should be actively involved in decisions affecting their lives.
Participation means:
Being listened to.
Receiving accessible information.
Expressing wishes and feelings.
Influencing decisions.
Receiving appropriate advocacy where necessary.
Participation reflects the principle that people are experts in their own lives.
A – Accountability
Public bodies and professionals are accountable for respecting and protecting
human rights.
This requires:
Transparent decision making.
Clear recording of decisions.
Opportunities to challenge decisions.
Access to complaints procedures.
Professional responsibility for lawful practice.
N – Non-discrimination
Everyone should have equal access to rights and services without discrimination.
Practitioners actively challenge discrimination relating to:
Disability.
Race.
Religion.
Sex.
Sexual orientation.
Gender reassignment.
Age.
Socioeconomic disadvantage.
Particular attention is given to individuals who experience multiple or
intersecting forms of disadvantage.
E – Empowerment
