Tackling Institutional Racism : Anti-racist Policies and Social Work Education and Training

The publication of the Inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence emphasised the institutionally racist nature of British society. Public bodies and welfare institutions are having to face the consequences of racism within their organisations. This task should draw on the earlier experience of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work's (CCETSW) anti-racist agenda, whose initiative came under attack from government ministers, media commentators and sections of the social work profession. This book describes and analyses the development of anti-racist social work education and training and moves on to a broader debate: it critically assesses the concept of 'race', the historical development and maintenance of racism in contemporary British society, exploring 'race-related' legislation and its theoretical underpinnings; it offers an historical exploration of the role of social work and its relationship with, and response to, the needs of deprived and marginalised communities; it provides an assessment of the backlash against CCETSW's anti-racist developments from politicians, the media and sections of the social work profession, incorporating a debate regarding charges of political correctness. Issues such as 'political correctness' and 'identity politics' are critically explored, and the implications of these political processes on the anti-racist policy agenda are assessed. The analysis reflects on both the possibilities and limitations placed on establishing anti-racist policies. Tackling institutional racism will be of particular interest to Diploma in Social Work students, social work practitioners and academics, social policy undergraduates and postgraduates. It should also be read by professionals at different levels in the policy-making process, particularly those working directly with, acting on behalf of, or pursuing, the interests of the black community.

The publication of the Inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence emphasised the institutionally racist nature of British society.Public bodies and welfare institutions are having to face the consequences of racism within their organisations.This task should draw on the earlier experience of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work's (CCETSW) anti-racist agenda, whose initiative came under attack from government ministers, media commentators and sections of the social work profession. This book describes and analyses the development of anti-racist social work education and training and moves on to a broader debate: it critically assesses the concept of 'race', the historical development and maintenance of racism in contemporary British society, exploring 'race-related' legislation and its theoretical underpinnings; it offers an historical exploration of the role of social work and its relationship with, and response to, the needs of deprived and marginalised communities; it provides an assessment of the backlash against CCETSW's anti-racist developments from politicians, the media and sections of the social work profession, incorporating a debate regarding charges of political correctness. Issues such as 'political correctness' and 'identity politics' are critically explored, and the implications of these political processes on the anti-racist policy agenda are assessed.The analysis reflects on both the possibilities and limitations placed on establishing anti-racist policies. Tackling institutional racism will be of particular interest to Diploma in Social Work students, social work practitioners and academics, social policy undergraduates and postgraduates.It should also be read by professionals at different levels in the policy-making process, particularly those working directly with, acting on behalf of, or pursuing, the interests of the black community.

Policy Press TACKLING INSTITUTIONAL RACISM 2 Contents 4 Acknowledgements 5 A note on terminology 6 Introduction 8 1. ‘Race’ and racism in modern Britain 14 The origins of racism 18 Postwar migration 23 The racialisation of British politics 25 Anti-discriminatory perspectives 31 CCETSW’s anti-racist initiative 39 2. Social work, the state and society 42 The origins of social work 42 The emergence of state social work 45 The new Right and social work developments 48 Social work perspectives 50 Black staff and students 52 3. CCETSW’s anti-racist initiative 56 CCETSW’s anti-racist agenda 62 4. Research findings and the implementation of Paper 30 66 Black staff representation 72 Anti-racist policies 76 5. Implementing anti-racist learning requirements – the importance ofthe student/practice teacher relationship 90 Student relationships with conservative practice teachers 92 Student relationships with social democratic practice teachers 94 Student relationships with radical practice teachers 97 Supervision sessions 99 Placement preparation 101 6. Practice teachers and anti-racist social work practice 106 7. Backlash against CCETSW’s anti-racist initiative 128 The debate over political correctness 130 Top-down policies 136 8. Conclusion and recommendations 138 Implications and recommendations 144 Bibliography 148 ISBN-13:,9781861341815 This Book Describes And Analyses The Development Of Anti-racist Social Work Education And Training And Moves On To A Broader Debate. Issues Such As 'political Correctness' And 'identity Politics' Are Critically Explored, And The Implications Of These Political Processes On The Anti-racist Policy Agenda Are Assessed. The Analysis Reflects On Both The Possibilities And Limitations Of Establishing Anti-racist Policies. Tackling Institutional Racism Will Be Of Particular Interest To Diploma In Social Work Students, Social Work Practitioners And Academics, Social Policy Undergraduates And Postgraduates. It Should Also Be Read By Professionals At Different Levels In The Policy-making Process, Particularly Those Working Directly With, Acting On Behalf Of, Or Pursuing The Interests Of The Black Community.--jacket. 1. 'race' And Racism In Modern Britain -- 2. Social Work, The State And Society -- 3. Ccetsw's Anti-racist Initiative -- 4. Research Findings And The Implementation Of Paper 30 -- 5. Implementing Anti-racist Learning Requirements -- The Importance Of The Student/practice Teacher Relationship -- 6. Practice Teachers And Anti-racist Social Work Practice -- 7. Backlash Against Ccetsw's Anti-racist Initiative -- 8. Conclusion And Recommendations. Laura Penketh. Includes Bibliographical References. A description and analysis of the development of anti-racist social work education and training, focusing on the innovative anti-racist developments of CCETSW's professional training programme. It explores the context in which these initiatives developed during the 1980s which pointed to the dreadful record which social work had with respect to "race", and its failure to provide a service which was suitably responsive to the needs of black Britons. The book moves on to a broader debate which analyzes the social, political and economic conditions which led to the development of anti-racist social work policies and requirements, and the conditions which led to the subsequent retreat of professional social work bodies from such policies and requirements during the 1990s. As such, it offers a broader structural analysis of the changing nature of the relationship between "race" and social work education and training. In the process issues such as "political correctness" and "identity politics" are critically explored, and the implications of these political processes on the anti-racist policy agenda are assessed. The analysis reflects on both the possibilities and the limitations of establishing anti-racist policies. This challenging book analyses the development of anti-racist social work education and training. It critically assesses the concept of 'race', offers an historical exploration of the role of social work and provides an assessment of the backlash against the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work's anti-racist developments.