What we have achieved

The Race Equality Foundation's award-winning research and project work has influenced decision-making at a strategic level. This chronology outlines some of the Foundation's successes over the last 20 years.

See also a full list of our current advisory group membership.

  • 1990
    All Equal Under the Act, our guide to ensuring race equality was addressed in the implementation of the 1989 Children Act, received positive reviews and sold 8000 copies in the first two years after publication.
  • 1992
    At least 40 social services departments report take-up of our ideas on effective ways to implement ethnic record keeping and monitoring as a result of our joint study with NISW’s Research Unit.
  • 1993
    Devised an interactive model to help Social Services Inspectorate’s Inspectors review how their inspection standards were accounting for evidence on discrimination and disadvantage as well as how they were collating evidence in their inspections. This model was used with four subsequent inspections, eventually led to a standard specifically addressing equality.
  • 1994
    Collaborative study of NSPCC’s 86 Child Protection Teams led to the employment of a Development Worker, an increase in the number of black and minority ethnic staff, the setting-up of the Grove House Family Centre and the Asian Language Helpline.
  • 1995
    Secured a grant in the first announcements of grants from the National Lottery Charities Board to look at the use of family centres by black and minority ethnic families. The resulting report (Family centred, 1998) was used by local authorities such as Nottingham City Council to ensure that their family centres improved services to black and minority ethnic families as well as maintaining their focus on prevention.
  • 1996
    Awarded one of the first National Lottery infrastructure grants. This was also the largest grant to a black and minority ethnic-led voluntary and community organisation at the time. The grant allowed us to improve practice in organisations working with black and minority ethnic children and families, based on our study of their support needs.  Department of Health ask HMSO to publish our review of evidence on black and minority ethnic communities experience of social care. Review used by a number of Social Services Inspectorate inspections, included the major inspections of services for older people (They look after their own, 1997) and services for children and families (Excellence and not excuses, 2000).
  • 1997
    Consultation on race and disability established the priorities of a three-year Joseph Rowntree Foundation programme with a total budget of £450,000, at the time the largest programme of its kind. The Race and Disability Programme led to 22 research and development projects, including work with young people on advocacy amongst others.
  • 1998
    Sure Start for All, guidance developed with the Sure Start Unit, increased the participation of black and minority ethnic families in rounds two and three of the Sure Start programme to over 90 per cent of projects. Before the project less than 10 per cent of Sure Start trailblazers identified services to black and minority ethnic families in their plans.
  • 1999
    Letting Through Light, our Department of Health-commissioned guide to better practice in mental health services, sold 2000 copies in the first year. It received positive feedback from a wide audience, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists.  Respect, a learning package for social care staff working with black and minority ethnic older people, disseminated to 160 social services departments and bought by over 40 health authorities and trusts within six months of publication. It was also requested by 120 voluntary organisations and private sector providers (mainly residential care providers). It was referenced by the National Service Framework for Older People and identified as a key resource for implementing the Single Assessment Process for older people.
  • 2000
    Between Ambition and Achievement, the first study of black and minority ethnic disabled young people’s views of independence and independent living, used in the development of the Valuing People strategy to improve support for people with learning disabilities. Also used by the Housing Corporation in 2004 when reviewing funding priorities for social housing. Began deploying the SFSC parent programme across the UK, with just over 80 parents completing the programme.
  • 2001
    As part of Comprehensive Spending Review, led discussions with senior civil servants and child care leaders on the relative success of Sure Start for children experiencing poverty. Reprised presentation for the Sure Start Ministerial Steering Group and ensured ‘open access’ to Sure Start projects was sustained. Helped develop a network of senior back and minority ethnic managers in social care, by organising three national seminars and carrying out a study of their development needs. This resulted in the Horizons scheme delivered by IDeA, and a programme of co-options of managers to Association of Directors of Social Services Committees.
  • 2002
    Evidence contributed to the Home Office review of parenting support led to the establishment of the Parenting Fund, initially led by the Treasury. Partnership working with sector colleagues ensured the fund targeted voluntary and community providers and prioritised services for black and minority ethnic families.
  • 2003
    Established the Strengthening Families Centre in partnership with Coram and Tower Hamlets to deliver the SFSC programme to a range of parents from across Tower Hamlets.
  • 2004
    Worked in partnership with Single Parent Action Network to provide support to parents experiencing discrimination and disadvantage (including black and minority ethnic parents) building the infrastructure of organisations in the North West, North East, and South West.
  • 2005
    Different Paths: Connecting Services, a good practice guide on the housing experiences of black and minority ethnic disabled and D/deaf people, wins the BMESpark award for innovation and good practice.
  • 2006
    Race Equality Foundation is selected as a Department of Education Strategic Partner. Race Equality Foundation is selected as a Department of Communities and Local Government Strategic Partner. Evidence-based Better Health and Better Housing briefing papers gain wide ranging critical acclaim. Papers identified as a valuable resource by British Medical Journal, and generated debate in publications including Inside Housing, Disability Now and Metro.
  • 2008
    SFSC chosen by National Academy of Parenting Practitioners as one of five evidence-based parenting programmes to be delivered through its national training programme. SFSC is one of the first 10 parent programmes to undergo intensive and structured assessment for inclusion in the National Academy for Parenting Practitioners Commissioning Toolkit. SFSC received the top rating in three of the four categories.

 

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