Race Equality Foundation - Development

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The recruitment and retention of black and minority ethnic workers within the field of social care

Background

The background to this project can be located in the current crisis within social care. Qualified social care workers are leaving the statutory sector in such large numbers that a severe shortage of staff has been precipitated in many social services departments. The highest vacancy levels have occurred primarily within London and the South-East of England. However, the malaise has now begun to affect other parts of Britain.

The situation in relation to black and minority Ethnic (BME) workers is even more serious than the general picture would suggest. The retention of BME workers has been problematic for many years preceding the present crisis. Issues such as low morale, impossible workloads, lack of supervision, health problems, and scapegoating, identified by the Audit Commission as contributing to the present situation; have long been features of the BME worker experience.

What we did

The aim of this project was to facilitate the recruitment and retention of BME workers within the field of social care. We supported the development of black social care support groups and Unison Black workers groups in both London and other selected cities in the Northern and Southern regions of Britain.

We established working partnerships with National Black Membership Organiser of Unison and the Association of Black Social Workers and Allied Professions, and other relevant BME voluntary/community organisations, Independent Consultants, and Trade Union officials.

We worked to promote good working practices with social care organisations. An essential part of this was the need to promote race equality in accordance with the provisions of the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000.

Outputs

We developed Mentoring Framework to meet the needs of the BME frontline workforce and the identification of BME worker support groups.

Key elements from the BME Workforce Project have been disseminated to the social care sector through regional workshops and a national conference.

Harris, V and Dutt, R (2005) Meeting the Challenge: a guide to good practice in the recruitment and retention of black and minority ethnic workers. The publication is available from REU.

Contact Bendu Walker on 020 7619 6220 or email bendu@racefound.org.uk