Was that racism? And what should I do about it?
A new framework for documenting, reflecting and learning from incidents of racism, discrimination and oppression within social work has been created.
Called Shades of Bias, it aims to challenge a “tick-box” approach to equality, diversity and inclusion and help social workers live up to the profession’s values.
Resource materials developed by thematic groups within BASW England include a ‘case study’ template to guide people on how to describe, think about and act on incidents.
It includes ‘exemplars' for how incidents should be recorded and processed.
BASW England professional officer Wayne Reid, who led on the project, said: “There will be some people out there who may think they have been discriminated against or suffered racism or observed it or feel they may have shown bias themselves but not sure what to do about it.
“The framework can be used as part of formal process within organisations or informally on a personal basis. There are many different scenarios and roles in which people might complete the form.”
The framework was created after concerns of anti-Black racism were raised by students in placements, practice educators during supervision and assessments and newly qualified social workers to BASW England.
It comes in the wake of a report by the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel in England highligting racial biases by professionals and services.
Reid said there were “blind spots” within some services and behaviours, cultures and practices that enable biases to sometimes go unchecked.
“The hope is that by filling in the form and engaging with the prompts it will guide people through to think in a more linear and sequential way around a particular incident.
“An organisation may integrate it and ask their employees to complete it anonymously. It can be used formally or informally, for private, personal benefit.
“In some cases action would be important following someone filling in a shade of bias form.
“But there is also benefit in people just thinking and reflecting. It might not lead to any action, but it may just influence their world or professional view in a positive way.”
Frontline social workers, BASW’s Black and Ethnic Minority Professionals Symposium (BPS), the Professional Capabilities and Development group and the Anti Racist Movement (ARM) were all involved in creating the toolkit.
Shantel Thomas, founder of ARM, said: “Shades of Bias is more than a tool - it's a bold declaration that lived experience matters, and that reflection is the first step towards action. This is how we dismantle racism - from the inside out."
Shabnam Ahmed, BPS member and founder of School of Shabs consultancy, added: “Shades of Bias is a transformative tool, powerful for both deep reflection and bold action.
“It empowers self-agency by giving voice to silenced experiences and challenging the minimisation of racism. True change demands bravery: to recognise that both courage and vulnerability can sit side by side. The discomfort is necessary for accountability.”