The Nagalro Autumn Conference will be held on 4 October 2021 at 09.30 - 1.30 by Zoom.  

Nagalro's aims for this conference:  To improve the experience for Black, Asian and mixed heritage children within the care system and Court proceedings.  Some of the areas we plan to explore are:

• How can we as professionals improve the experience for Black children within the child protection and care system, and within court proceedings and placement recommendations? 
• What does the research tell us about the lived experience of Black children within these systems?  
• Where are the gaps in research and how can these be addressed?
• We wish to examine how best to place the needs of Black, Asian and mixed heritage children at the centre of our practice.  Black children are disproportionately represented in the care system, and are amongst the most vulnerable and disadvantaged.  All children in the care system are likely to experience ‘delay’, isolation, displacement, trauma and instability.  These particular children are further burdened by the effects of racism, stereotypes, and a lack of understanding of their needs.  They may have to confront difficult issues of identity and the loss of contact with their birth families and communities requires that they 'must be looked after properly, by people who respect their ethnic group, religion, culture and language' (Article 20 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child).

 

As professionals tasked to work with, and represent, these children and families, we need to develop and maintain cultural competence and good anti-racist prcatice.  We hope the conference will address frameworks to achieving this.

Conference Co-Chairs:  Pamela Warner, highly experienced family Court barrister and Recorder in both Private and Public Family Law, and Sandra Fisher, highly experienced family Court barrister in both Private and Public Family Law.

Speakers will include:

• Dr Beverley Prevatt-Goldstein, co-author of BAAF publication ‘Race and Ethnicity: A Consideration of Issues for Black, Minority Ethnic and White Children in Family Placement’. Title of talk: Twenty years on: ‘Race’ and Ethnicity.  A consideration of issues for black, minority ethnic and white children in family placement. A reflection.
• Jackie Slotte, a black British adopter who has a white Finnish partner with lived experience of the adoption assessment process.  Jackie is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, based in both the private and public sector.
• Aminah Husain Sumpton,author of the BAAF journal ‘The Particular Problems facing Black and Ethnic Minority Children’ and Vice Chair of CoramBAAF Black and Minority Ethnic Perspectives Advisory Committee
• The Family Justice Young People's Board (FJYPB) will address diversity, and the complexity of establishing a child’s circumstances and identity. Title: Respecting the Diversity of Children and Young People.  Professionals have to share children's lived experiences with those that can help them. Children may be fearful of discussing diversity based on previous experiences or prejudices. Children have the right to give their opinion, and for adults to listen, and take it seriously.
• Dr Kish Bhatti-Sinclair, author of ‘Diversity, Difference and Dilemmas’ (OUP/McGraw Hill, 2017), ‘Anti-Racist Practice in Social Work’ (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011) and ‘Child Sexual Exploitation: race, ethnicity and culture’ (The Policy Press, 2018).  She is Head of Social Work and Social Care and Reader in Social Work and Social Policy at the University of Chichester.
• In addition we have short contributions from key activists, professionals and agencies within this field.

 

Click here for further details and application form