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Race on the Agenda

Equalities: Education & Employment, Health & Social Services.

Health & Social Services

BME groups tend to have higher rates of limiting long term illness than white groups (Bangladeshis 11.8%, Irish 10.6%, ‘other’ Black 12% compared to 8.8% white British). The Chinese have the lowest at 4.4%. Diabetes is higher for all BME groups than white British. Health inequality is probably second only to educational underachievement as one of the key issues affecting Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in London. ROTA recognises the need to reduce inequalities and eliminate institutional barriers that exclude and isolate individuals and communiti3es from accessing health care services.

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A 2001 workshop carried out by Age Concern showed that older people from BME groups face a number of problems that are related to a lack of information and awareness of the standards they should expect from public services. The organisation also reported that lack of access to information and public services can result in older people from BME groups being socially isolated from their peers (Age Concern 2001). The Department of Health has a number of statistical databases and data collections that hold records on ethnic origin and the problems often troubling members BME communities when receiving health services.

ROTA works with the London Health Commission, the Greater London Authority, NHS Trusts and voluntary & community sector partners to fight health inequalities. The BAME Forum of the London Health Commission has identified the need to produce a toolkit to support London boroughs in their various activities to reduce ethnic health inequalities. The proposed toolkit will be designed by using recent evidence and examples of good practice identified within existing race equality schemes. It will be combined with an awareness raising project that will demonstrate the value of Race Equality Schemes in policy and health, promoting activating that aim to reduce ethnic health inequalities. ROTA with GLA and other partners will work collaboratively to deliver this. Please contact us for more information.

ROTA is also working with Age Concern London and the Social Perspectives Network on a project that will raise awareness about the needs of BME older people with mental health difficulties. This extremely vulnerable group has not been consulted adequately when Mental Health Legislation was amended, while health and social services continue to fail them to a great extent. The project will consult directly with users as well as with service provides and experts in the field. It will include a free training day as well as a report that will be widely disseminated to interested parties. To find out more please contact us.


Education

In 2002 ‘Other Asian’ pupils had the highest attainment of 5 or more GCSE grades A – C (64%). Black pupils had the lowest at 36% and young white people between the age of 16 – 24 have the lowest participation rate in full time education (32%).

At ROTA we are very aware of the important role that education plays in the lives of BAME communities in London. Education is an essential toll in fighting discrimination and establishing the BAME communities in London in long term employment and to enable them to contribute to the society in which they belong. As a result we are constantly monitoring the Government’s approach to the current education system; especially with regards to issues of race and the socially excluded. Recent issues that ROTA have considered are:

  • The current curriculum
  • The pros and cons of mentoring
  • Exclusion levels and disciplinary issues
  • Bullying
  • The role played by supplementary schools
  • Academies
  • The examination process
  • Universities and Higher education

ROTA Image 7 These are but a sample of issues that are significant for ethnic minority communities in London. Unfortunately, it is an accepted statistic that a number of ethnic minority communities under-perform disproportionately at GCSE level even though they excel at the age of five. This is compounded by the high level of ethnic minority pupils excluded from schools; on occasion they are more than ten times more likely to be excluded than there white peers. The fact that there are more black males in prison than university in this country is enough concern for action. Furthermore there are a disproportionate number of further education students at polytechnic institutions from BAME backgrounds compared to the traditional red-brick universities. What is it that causes this decline in performance and furthermore what policy changes would stem this disturbing trend? It is such questions that the staff at ROTA constantly seek to answer.

Recently:

  • We have featured an article on the improvements that could be made to the current education in the summer 2006 publication of Agenda (for copies or to comment please contact carlene@rota.org.uk)
  • Supported the ‘Tell it like it is’ campaign and the launch of the book which supports it entitled Tell it like it is: How schools fail black kids. ROTA’s chief executive contributed an article to this book.
  • Are planning to respond to the current consultation on the Further Education Reform White Paper: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances, Race Equality Impact Assessment (REIA). ROTA will keep you posted on the response that they make to the consultation. If you want to read the paper or respond yourself go to http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations

In the past:

  • ROTA produced a seminal paper entitled Inclusive Schools, Inclusive Society (copies can be requested at rota@rota.org.uk)
  • Held an event in 2005 with BAME communities, teachers, policy makers and the voluntary sector in partnership with Olmec and produced a publication to support the event
  • Has produced policy briefings on bullying, exclusions, supplementary schools and university fees (copies can be requested at rota@rota.org.uk)

If you have any further questions on the work that ROTA does around education policy or would like to see us work on a certain education issue please contact carlene@rota.org.uk.


Employment

BME people have on average unemployment rates of 12% compared to 6% for white groups. 18% managers and senior officials, 58% of cashiers are from BME groups. Black men have the highest unemployment rates up to 22.7%. BME Londoners will form 80% of the increase in working population by 2013.

ROTA Image 8 With 80% of new employees in London set to come from BME backgrounds according to the London Plan, and a continuing disparity in employment outcomes, there needs to be a greater emphasis on what the capital’s diverse population needs. In addition, the proposals do not make explicit how the LSC will link to the London Development Agency (LDA), the Mayor’s agency for business and jobs. ROTA would like to see how that relationship will develop and how it will influence BME communities and the VCS. Regional priorities should include targeting discrepancies in learning and employment outcomes for London’s BME and refugee communities. ROTA would expect to see BME and VCS representation on the Learning and Skills Board particularly since there is evidence that people from BME groups are likely to be unemployed.