Less than 2.5% of social care leaders and managers in the UK are from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. That’s just four in every 152 leaders.
People from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities make up 12% of the UK population, but are often underrepresented within leadership roles in social care.
Senior leaders do not always reflect the communities they serve and the balance needs to be redressed.
Skills for Care, home of the National Skills Academy for Social Care, is working towards changing these figures by giving black, Asian and minority ethnic social care leaders the support they need to develop further through the Moving Up BAME programme.
“The programme aims to equip learners on how to deal with the barriers they may face as social care leaders,” said Louisa Imanene, programme support officer for Skills for Care. “It develops their potential as a social care professional, extends their capabilities to lead in a complex and changing environment, increases their confidence and develops their ability to network at all levels. It also teaches learners how to utilise both formal and informal support.”
The fifth year of the programme begins in November 2015. Through mentoring, coaching, networking and one to one support, the programme aims to equip learners with the skills they need to progress in social care regardless of inequality.
Learners from previous years have had positive things to say about the impact the programme has had on their careers. One learner on the 2014 programme said:
“My understanding of my work has changed and people have a better understanding of what I am capable of. Following the course, I was given responsibility for a new project within the council. It was my first time taking a strategic lead and the programme gave me the confidence to take that step.”
If you are interested in joining the Moving Up BAME leadership programme please click here.
Content on this page is produced and controlled by Skills for Care, sponsor of the Guardian Social Care Network leadership, learning and development hub
