Issue 23 - June 2013

Jeremy Crook OBE writes:

I am delighted that our new Routes2Success national community role model programme is taking shape and moving in the right direction. The success of this programme depends on successful black men volunteering; young black males wanting to get involved and shape the delivery and local organisations (schools, Pupil Referral Units and black groups) inviting us to host inspirational events that connect young black males with our volunteer role models. So please do get in touch with our R2S team.

Earlier this year BTEG wrote to the Mayor of the London Borough of Hackney asking him to investigate the council’s policy and practice in construction procurement and the access local BME firms have to supply chain opportunities. BTEG received a positive response from the Mayor and we are now providing advice to senior officials on new construction procurement process for 2014. We hope that this will result in a stronger commitment from the LBH to see local BME firms win decent sub-contracts from the large main contractors when they are commissioned.

Following my appearance on Panorama a few months ago I am very pleased that Jobcentre Plus in London and a key funder in London are consulting on what actions can be taken to tackle the high unemployment rate for young black men (18-24years). I think we need more black celebrities to talk about this issue in public. However, it is disappointing that no employers have made contact with BTEG since the programme was broadcast to share good practice or to offer to do more to reach young black men.

BTEG attended and provided support for a group of parents in Harrow (London) that organised an event entitled, ‘Celebrating Our Children Awards’ (COCA). Over thirty children and young people were presented with a certificate by the Mayor of Harrow. This occasion stood out for me because the parents proudly identified the achievements of their children. I would like to see more COCA events across the country organised by small groups of parents.

Sadly after three years Karl Murray BTEG’s Head of Employment and Research will be leaving us to pursue new projects at end June. He has been an outstanding manager and brought new knowledge and skills to the organisation gained from his years in the public sector. BTEG staff and Trustees wish Karl all the very best in the future.

News about BTEG

Organisational Development

Young people and social mobility: Can we do more in the Voluntary Sector?

BTEG hosted a successful event on the 23rd May which explored the importance of social mobility and the voluntary sector and addressed the key question; do we need to do more to support BME young people?

The event included  workshops, World Café-style discussions and, as one of the delegates put it, some powerful speakers including Simon Woolley (Operation Black Vote), Zain Awan ( a multi award winning youth activist), Saqib Deshmukh (Voice4Change), Abdi Farah (Hornstars), Abu Mumin (The Osmani Trust) and Tony Harrison.

30 organisations sent delegates to the event and the response from them was overwhelming positive. Participants identified better ways of working with young people, improved their understanding of what the problems are including key statistics and developed ideas for working in collaboration. We would like to thank City Bridge Trust for supporting the event.

A full report will be on the BTEG website in July.

Routes2Success

R2S role model recruitment reception (London)

On Tuesday 21st May, BTEG held its first role model recruitment reception in London. It was a stimulating evening attended by black men interested in serving as volunteer role models. They come from a range of professions and see the need for a national role model programme to inspire black boys and young black men.

Feedback from the evening was extremely positive and many attendees expressed an interest and eagerness to get involved.

BTEG is now holding its second role model recruitment evening in Birmingham at The Drum on Monday 8th July. We want role models from the West Midlands, the North and the South West to join the 17 role models signed up from South.

If you are a successful black male and believe you can inspire our young males then please step forward and join us in this important challenge. If you are a successful black male and believe you can inspire our young males then please step forward and join us in this important challenge.

If you are interested and would like to get involved, or simply want to hear  more about the opportunity to be a role model for R2S, come and join us and meet the R2S team. A light buffet will be provided.

Role Model Recruitment Reception (Birmingham) Monday 8^th July 2013, 6.30-8.00pm.

The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, West Midlands B6 4UU

To book a place please click here and complete the booking form or contact Janine@bteg.co.uk

BTEG Criminal Justice Network News

How can the commissioning process improve outcomes for young BAME offenders?

The over-representation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) individuals at every stage of the Criminal Justice System (CJS) is widely recognised by researchers, practitioners and service users. Despite notoriety over many years, this disparity in treatment still struggles to receive an effective response. Clinks and BTEG have produced a publication – How can the commissioning process improve outcomes for BAME offenders? - which is the result of a lively roundtable discussion, held in March and chaired by Baroness Lola Young, that aimed to reignite the debate about how to ensure improved outcomes for young BAME men. The report and a letter from Baroness Young have been sent to the Secretary of State for Justice requesting a meeting. We will keep you updated on progress.

To download a copy of the report click here

 

Understanding the Social Deprivation Mindset

Trevor Hercules is an author, community activist and former offender.

BTEG has been supporting Trevor over the past 18 months and he is currently busy trying to establish his own charity.

There is an extensive article written by Trevor featured in the latest edition of the British Journal of Community Justice. It deals with his concept, the Social Deprivation Mindset (SDM). It’s a powerful piece that challenges the thinking behind the current approach to addressing recidivism.

Trevor’s concept challenges some of the thinking behind the current focus on reducing reoffending by addressing offending behaviour. Trevor’s assertion is that unless the underlying mindset of the offender is understood, interventions are only treating the symptoms of offending behaviour not the underlying causes.

Trevor has developed his own programmes which he hopes to deliver to offenders through prison establishments and within the community.

The article can be downloaded here

 

BTEG report on BAME women offenders

On 6th December 2012, BTEG hosted a roundtable to discuss issues facing women offenders from ethnic minority groups. The report from the event is now available and we will be sharing it with the MOJ and the members of the Corston funders group.

If you are involved in delivering services to BAME women offenders and would like to discuss the report please get in touch.

To download the report click here

 

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BTEG film featuring Manchester member groups

BTEG has produced a short film featuring two of our network members based in Manchester. It provides an opportunity to get a greater understanding of the work of network members and the issues we are trying to address at BTEG.

The video can be viewed here

 

Attitudes to Police and Criminal Justice System

Crime continues to be one of the most controversial sources of racial tension between the police and local communities. Disproportionate use of stop and search remains widespread, with a massive difference in how different ethnic groups are treated. Black men are 26 times more likely that their white counterparts to be stopped and searched under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.

Black South West Network were commissioned by BTEG, with the support of Voscur, to look at the attitudes young BME people in the Avon and Somerset area had to the Police and Criminal Justice System.

The report can be downloaded here

Policy and Research

No work, no status

No work no status: the impact of the economic downturn on London’s BAME communities is the latest research report from BTEG. The title summarises the feeling of not belonging of those unemployed who participated in the 18 months research.

Highlights of the report indicate:

• The psychological impact of unemployment on individuals, which can be harsh and devastating;

• That overcoming barriers and obstacles to getting back into employment requires tenacity and opportunism;

• Key concerns about how to get the most out of the support structure and re-engagement possibilities that exist;

• That support structures such as JobCentre Plus were not overly supportive, that they were less interested in the person and more incline to ‘tick boxes’ and get them out and onto “useless jobs that don’t pay any real money.”

• BAME people have higher levels of unemployment and are becoming increasingly dependent on state/welfare benefits;

• That some NEET related programmes are ineffective and questionable as to supporting transition into employment;

• That some BAME communities do not recognise apprenticeships as being of ‘equal’ status to an academic qualification and so prefer to encourage their young people to aspire to academia.

The report’s conclusion is that unless there is a marked reduction in the rate and level of unemployment amongst BAME, there is a danger that this cycle will continue over future generations.

An executive summary of the report can be downloaded here

News From Around the Sector

 

A quick guide to the Social Value Act

The Social Value Act 2012 came into force on 31 January 2013. The Act requires public bodies to take into account wider social and environmental value when they choose suppliers. They should consider how what is proposed to be procured might improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the relevant area.

The Pioneers Post has a quick guide to the Social Value Act, courtesy of Unity Trust Bank and law firm BWB.

The guide can be accessed here

 

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) update service

The DBS update service is now live. It enables applicants to keep their DBS certificates up to date online and allows employers to check a certificate online.

For more information click here

 

Leicester Mercury and Big Lottery Fund to award £250,000

The Leicester Mercury is joining forces with the Big Lottery Fund to award a total of £250,000 of lottery funding to good causes and community projects. Grants of between £10,000 and £30,000 are available.

To apply, groups need to operate in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland.

Full information here

 

Free Policy and Parliament Training

Voice4Change England is holding to events for people who want to learn how to plan their lobbying and make their voice heard. The events are free; one is in London, the other in Birmingham.

Full details here

 

ROTA petition: Keep the Public Sector Equality Duty

Within one year of the Public Sector Equality Duty coming in to force the Government is now reviewing it. ROTA has started an on-line petition to encourage the Government to retain it.

To sign the petition click here

 

A new digital platform for 17-26 year old entrepreneurs

Wildcard is a new digital platform co-created by a team of 17-26 year olds and supported by Nominet Trust, which aims to help young people showcase, share, develop and realise big ideas.

For more information click here