Exploring Expertise: Shades Of Bias – Challenging Discrimination, Oppression and Racism in Social Work and Beyond
The British Association of Social Workers, in partnership with CoramBAAF and the Racial Justice Family Work, invite you to explore Shades of Bias (SoB). Shades of Bias is a versatile case study template designed to enable critical reflection on how discrimination, oppression and racism manifests in social work and beyond. It is a simple process for documenting, analysing and addressing instances of bias, whether it is experienced directly, observed or perpetrated (by the person/people responsible). SoB embraces intersectionality and is underpinned by the protected characteristics (age, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc) of the author (as per the Equality Act 2010).
Shades of Bias serves three different groups: victim/survivor of discrimination/oppression/racism, witnesses and observers, and person/people responsible for the bias. It also:
• Provides a structured, non-punitive approach that supports individuals to take responsibility, learn, and commit to anti-discriminatory, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive practice;
• Promotes reflection and learning, enabling a shift from individual incidents to a deeper understanding of systemic patterns; and
• Offers a practical and accessible way to embed ethical, inclusive practice, supporting healing, accountability, and systemic change.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
This session will introduce the Shades of Bias approach and explore how it can be used across practice, supervision, and organisational learning to foster anti-discriminatory, anti-oppressive, and anti-racist practice. Reflecting on Exemplar 1, participants will gain insight into how the tool can:
• Support individuals to process and articulate experiences of discrimination;
• Enable practitioners to recognise and challenge bias and discrimination;
• Provide a structured approach to reflection, accountability, and growth; and
• Contribute to organisational learning and systemic change.
This session will include practical examples, guided reflection, and opportunities for discussion on how the framework can be applied in your own context.
PRESENTERS
Chair: Irene Levine, Managing Director at Coram Intercountry Adoption Centre (IAC) and Chair of CoramBAAF Black Minority Ethnic Perspectives Advisory Committee (BMEPAC)
Augusta Itua, Legal Consultant and Chair of the Racial Justice Family Network
Melanie Thomas (BASW Professional Capabilities and Development Group)
Rheana Yacoob (BASW Professional Capabilities and Development Group) is a Stage 2 Practice Educator and a PE Assessor. She qualified as a Social Worker in 2011 through MMU. Rheana has worked mainly in Children and Families as a frontline social worker and different areas in social work. Rheana also supports students in Social Work and creates training materials. Rheana has worked as a Mentor for Apprentices, ASYE Manager for NQSW and a Supervisor for Return to Social Work candidates.
Valerie Chopamba (BASW Black & Ethnic Minority Professionals Symposium)
Wayne Reid is a Professional Officer, Social Worker and former Anti-racism Visionary at BASW England. He qualified as a Social Worker in 2010 and his frontline social care experience spans over 26 years. Wayne has worked for private fostering agencies; the Probation Service; a youth offending team; a community mental health service; a child protection service and with care leavers. Wayne previously compiled and curated a national social work newsletter (Wayne’s Weekly), which ran for several years.
WHO’S IT FOR?
Social workers, practice educators, managers, students, and anyone committed to advancing anti-discriminatory, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive practice in social work and related fields.
FEES
OPEN TO ALL
Contact
Telephone: 0207 520 7520 / 0310
Email: events@corambaaf.org.uk