Conference 2023
The Culturally Competent Workforce
On Saturday 11th February 2023, we hosted our second Black Care Experience Conference.
Attended by 126 delegates from Children’s Social Care Workforce, the Voluntary Sector within Children’s Social Care sector and the Black Care Experienced from England, Scotland and Wales, we gathered together to explore what it really means to be ‘culturally competent’ and whether being ‘culturally competent’ can help to improve the Care, Outcomes and Life Chances of Black Children and Young People in Care and keep them connected to their Culture, Identity and Heritage whilst in the Care System.
From hearing the Children’s Social Care Workforce Panel, our delegates were are able to discuss what they heard in their small groups to feedback on the question ‘What must Culturally Competency include?”.
Our Children’s Social Care Workforce Panel Hosted by Emma Fincham. (Left to Right), Darryl Pottinger - Foster Carer, Vivian Okeze-Tirado - Winner of the Social Justice Advocate and overall Social Worker of the Year 2021, Antonia Ogundayisi – Service Manager for Anti Racist Practice for Essex County Council and Diane Benjamin - Director of Children's Social Care for the London Borough of Hackney.
From hearing the true voice of our Black Care Experience Care Leaver Panel, our delegates were also able to discuss what they had heard in their small groups to feedback on the question “What do you need to know when raising a black child or young person in Children’s Social Care?”.
Our Black Care Experienced Panel (Left to Right), Queenie Chizea, Rebecca Olayinka, Mana Gondora and Matthew Page. Hosted by David Akinsanya and Judith Denton.
To celebrate and affirm our Black Care Experienced, gifts were given to our Raffle winners, and we were moved and uplifted by the power packed messages from our Care Experienced Artists, expressing their Black Care Experience journey through a Spoken Word and Vocal Performance.
Care Experienced siblings, Judith Denton and Nicholas Denton presenting the Raffle.
Keeley Stephenson performing her original spoken word ‘No Longer Hidden’.
Xoul performing his original song ‘Surrender’.
To build on the work we have started, we launched and presented our Black Care Experience Charter, which we describe as a declaration of support and a set of commitments from The Workforces (Children’s Social Care Workforce and the Independent and Voluntary Organisations within this sector) to improve the Care, Outcomes and Life Chances of the Black Child or Young Person and keep them connected to their Culture, Identity and Heritage as they journey through the Care System.
More details about The Black Care Experience Charter can be found here.
Joining hands with this diverse Network, we continue to see that changing the narrative for our Black Care Experience is indeed possible.
The findings from our small group sessions can be found here at ‘The Black Care Experience Conference 2023 Report’ . Our filmed Conference is available to watch below and Conference Photos can be found here.
What People Are Saying
“What a powerful & amazing day. It was a privilege to be a part of it. There are so many lessons I will take away for my students to ensure they are equipt to be the change that is needed in practice”
— Leah Price - Cox, University of Winchester
“This Conference does something that no other can do. The power of lived experience cannot be underestimated, the most insightful event I have ever attended. Thank you.”
— Sarah Thomas, Director for Wales & England at The Fostering Network
“The Conference gave me the chance to listen to lived experiences and understand the need to push for black care experienced stories/voices.”
— Jasmin - Kasaya Pilling, Glasgow City Council Overseas Enrolment, Promise Scotland Board Member. Who Cares Scotland National Board Member
“A much needed challenge to all of us with a caring investment in children, but also a powerful celebration of the talents and tenacity of care experienced people. Simply fantastic!”
— Kayleigh Broughton, Consultant Social Worker