By Sheila Mckenzie-
Discrimination and inequalities faced by Black and ethnic minority practitioners in social services must be urgently addressed, senior managers have been told by The chief social workers for adults.
The urgent call came as the group launched their social care workforce race and equality standard pilot, which will see up to 15 local authorities report on key metrics highlighting disparities in experiences between white staff and those from Black and ethnic minority groups.
In a letter calling for expressions of interest in becoming a pilot site, Mark Harvey and Fran Leddra called for “senior leaders at the highest level” to be involved in developing and reviewing race and diversity policies, practice and procedures from recruitment and selection, professional development opportunities and support with progression.
“Visible leadership in this area, along with effective and consistent implementations can contribute to meaningful and sustained change from the impact on racism on the social care workforce,” they wrote.
The initiative was sparked by an observation of unequal opportunities for ethnic minorities to rise to the top of their profession in social work. Some members of the mixed group including white individuals said some ethnic minorities in the sector were treated with contempt, and that the few in high positions were sometimes carelessly mistaken as cleaners.
It follows a perceived lack of practical support for race equality among social work leaders.
The chief social workers plan to engage 10-15 local authority social service departments to commence a workforce race equality standard (WRES) for staff employed by local authority adults’ and children’s services, starting in April 2021. Successful sites will then be supported “via communities of practice and guidance tools”.
The new standard will require clinical commissioning groups and NHS providers to provide data on workforce representation, including at senior levels. It will include an assessment of the risks of disciplinary measures among white and non-white staff ,and perceived levels of bullying and discrimination among professionals from ethnic minority groups.
Under Representation
It will include the under-representation of Black and ethnic minority staff in management roles. Only 7% of middle and senior managers in adult social services departments are from ethnic minority groups, despite ethnic minorities making up 25 % of social workers.
Social workers play a crucial role in society, particularly addressing issues of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, substance abuse, and other malfunctions in family settings. Issues of discrimination or bullying among social workers is a sore tat must be tackled and not allowed to continue.