In July 2000, the Department of Health/Social Services Inspectorate document Excellence Not Excuses revealed that the majority of UK local authorities had not put strategies in place to deliver appropriate services to ethnic minorities. In response, the Department set up four demonstration projects under its Quality Protects program to develop models of best practice to improve life chances of Black and ethnic minority children and their families. In autumn 2000, the Thomas Coram Research Unit (TCRU) were invited to undertake a descriptive study of the four demonstration projects. The resulting study serves as a learning tool for future work in the area of meeting the needs of and developing ethnically-sensitive services for Black and ethnic minority children looked after by local authorities. Case studies of the individual projects describe individual projects' working arrangements, the definitions and issues they grappled with, the work undertaken and the process of how this was done, an overview and an outlook. In conclusion, issues of structure, process, and resourcing of the projects are discussed, and implications for policy and practice are raised.

This volume examines existing research documenting racial disproportionality and disparities in child welfare systems, the underlying factors that contribute to these phenomena and the harms that result at both the individual and community levels. It reviews multiple forms of interventions designed to prevent and reduce disproportionality, particularly in states and jurisdictions that have seen meaningful change. With contributions from authorities and leaders in the field, this volume serves as the authoritative volume on the complex issue of child maltreatment and child welfare. It offers a central source of information for students and practitioners who are seeking understanding on how structural and institutional racism can be addressed in public systems.

The issue of racial disproportionality in the child welfare system, particularly as it impacts African-American children and families, has long been a concern to practitioners and policymakers. However, disproportionality is not limited to the African-American community. Latino, Native-American, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander populations experience inequities in treatment. From leading voices on culturally-competent care comes a cutting-edge book that examines disproportionalities across all of these racial and ethnic groups. Eliminating Racial Disproportionality and Disparities examines a wide range of systems that often affect and interact with child welfare. Chapters are devoted to the juvenile justice system, mental health, the courts, education, and healthcare, making it the only book to offer a multisystemic approach to disparities and disproportionality. Filled with in-depth case studies, key terms, study questions, and resources, and written to reflect CSWE-mandated competencies, this expansive book gives students, educators, policymakers, practitioners, and administrators new knowledge for providing culturally competent services while simultaneously addressing disproportionality across various systems of care.

The book was designed to explore in depth the unique experiences and situations that are common to Black children and their parents. The books is developed around the themes of the significant environments within the lives of Black children: the theoretical environment, the socioeconomic environment, the educational environment, the parental environment: racial socialization, the internal environments of children's racial attitudes and self-esteem.

Offering practical guidelines based on research and practice, this book focuses on some of the most topical issues among those working with children from ethnic minorities. Experts from a variety of disciplines look at the various aspects of such work.

Based on extensive studies into child welfare services, this important book brings together research into what works in service provision for minority ethnic families. Reviewing studies of the nature and adequacy of the services provided, and the outcomes for the children and their families, this book provides much-needed guidance for policy and practice around issues of cultural and ethnic background and identity, and puts forward suggestions for future research. The authors consider in particular: * the complex needs and identities of minority ethnic families who might use child welfare services * how families using social services view current practice * the impact of the formal child protection and court systems on ethnic minority families * placement patterns and outcomes for children from the different minority ethnic groups who are in residential care, foster care or adopted * cultural issues and `matching' the social worker to the family. Drawing on current government statistical returns and the 2001 national census, this wide-ranging analysis challenges dated research and practice and proposes a revisionary agenda for future research and culturally sensitive child welfare practice, making it essential reading for all child welfare professionals.