Service Improvement in Wakefield

Wakefield Social Services and Health have made an enthusiastic start in implementing the Valuing People ethnicity agenda and in making services more appropriate, culturally competent and accessible to people from BME communities. Based on the Ethnicity Framework for Action, a 15-point action plan has been developed. The Ethnicity Sub-group will work through this plan in the next 12-18 months. 
 
Wakefield Social services key ethnicity developments for 2005 include:
 
• We have formed an ethnicity sub group
• The Partnership Board regularly discusses issues relating to ethnicity as part of its agenda
• Wakefield Partnership Board has appointed a BME Development Worker in May 2005 to implement the Valuing People Ethnicity & Learning Difficulties Framework for Action.
 
Current ethnicity development work actions for 2006 include:
 
• Identifying and working with local BME carers and service users, with the aim of improving representation on the Partnership Board and sub group
• Working towards forming a BME Service user/ carers group
• Developing Wakefield learning disabilities Ethnicity newsletter
• Addressing information issues such as accessibility in reference to different formats and different languages. This is done through our information steering group
• Recruiting BME/bilingual volunteer advocates and developing an audio cassette on "What is advocacy" for BME communities
• Sub group has decided that they would like to utilise the Ethnicity Training Network. The BME development worker will be developing skills in training in cultural competence
• Staff are being encouraged to attend the Islamic awareness day course and addition to this Wakefield social services have a equality and diversity training program for all staff.
• Implementing the Ethnicity checklist from the Valuing People Ethnicity Framework
• Day services have begun to use other music such as Bollywood and bangra and celebrating of festivals such as EID.
• LD services addressing long-term hallal food option for BME service users.
 
If you would like to find out more about the work Wakefield Social Services and Health are doing for BME communities or would like share good practices then please do contact Kashif Ahmed, BME Development Worker:

Tel: 07770346794
Email: kahmed@wakefield.gov.uk