Correct the misperceptions which persist in our society

The 'Report of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Asylum Support for Children and Young People' launched yesterday unsurprisingly found that the asylum system is in urgent need of reform. The report paints a picture of a hostile environment in which things are made difficult for asylum seeking families in the belief that this will force them to leave the UK. This situation has serious repercussions for children’s well-being and the report argued 'that there is an urgent need to address the public discourse around asylum and refugee issues, and correct the misperceptions which persist in our society'. Read the full report here.

The impact of multi-agency work supporting Roma children in education

BHA for Equality in Health and Social Care have published 'A report into the impact of multi-agency work supporting Roma children in education'. Click here to download the report in full:

The research found that: 

– Historical tensions between Roma and non-Roma migrants often reemerge when the communities have to interact in the UK.

– Multi-agency work with Roma is hindered by a lack of cultural awareness amongst a range of professionals.

– Strategic direction and leadership is needed if the work of disparate agencies at all levels is to be coordinated effectively at the local and district level.

– New forms of organisation and smaller operational teams must focus on leadership and ownership of partnership work.

– A commitment to collaboration from agencies at all levels across all sectors is a crucial aspect of successful multi agency work with Roma.

– Provision of support and training opportunities for the Roma community is fundamental for sustaining independence and increasing the attainment of aspirations by Roma pupils.

– The skills and knowledge developed by specialist traveller teams and services over recent decades may be lost.

– Despite cuts to funding, there is still some flexibility over how budgets can be used in innovative ways to commission services through partnership work.

– Changes to the school funding system are likely to hinder future provision for Roma children, both in maintained schools and schools that opt out of local authority control.

The report also makes a number of recommendations.

Download the full report: 'A report into the impact of multi-agency work supporting Roma children in education' here:

Report - 'Routes ten year celebration 2002-12: From there to here'.

This report explores the work of the Routes Project at BHA for Equality in Health and Social Care in Manchester over the last 10 years. Originally commissioned by Manchester Children’s Fund, the Routes project is based on a professional and committed approach that builds relationships by drawing on the strengths of services users to help them pick themselves up off the floor. The report describes how the service has changed in the past 10 years and provides insights into the experiences of some of their earliest service users. Click here to download the report 'Routes ten year celebration 2002-12: From there to here'.