Racism, extremism and the impact on workforce and families

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Across society right now there are increasing numbers of people that feel threatened, fearful and subject to expressions of hatred and racism whether that is online, in the media, or in the community. At CoramBAAF we hear this through our own staff’s experiences, through our advice line and through our member practice forums and our advisory committees, where people share incidents of racism and intimidation. Across the country, incidents involving harassment, intimidation, and hate crime have been reported. We are actively paying attention to the situation as this is impacting workers across children’s social care as well as the families and children they support.  

We have heard of foster carers having to have conversations with children in care to prepare them for the increased likelihood of experiencing racism in the community, something that they have not felt they have had to do before.  We are also aware that parents and carers are having to be vigilant about online hate leading to radicalisation of children, and needing support with this. There are so many difficult, but necessary conversations taking place, as well as conversations that should be taking place but are not because social workers, carers and parents are feeling ill equipped.
 
CoramBAAF is an organisation that supports anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice and these reports concern us. Our priority is for children in our society to feel safe, secure and proud of all aspects of their identity. They should not have to experience hatred, racism or other forms of discrimination. Our role is to support professionals to deliver the best outcomes for some of our most vulnerable children and young people whilst also providing tools to challenge oppression and prejudice.  

We are committed to listening carefully to our members to be able to offer the right support. At our practice forums we facilitate peer-to-peer support networks discussing these very issues as we recognise the need to hold space for practitioners, to recognise and challenge racism, to listen, to advocate and to amplify voices of those affected. What we are hearing from these discussions is that people want resources to help them in practice, to have these essential conversations and we will be looking to develop  tools to support this.  

In the meantime, please see below a list of resources that are available for members:

Black Workers Practice Forum

CoramBAAF’s Black Workers Practice Forum provides a unique opportunity to discuss professional practice and share experiences, knowledge and expertise with Black colleagues in a safe space. If you are a member of CoramBAAF you can join our practice forums by logging in to your website account and signing up.

Open courses and commissioned training

Our Anti-racist practice and cultural humility in social work training course is free for members. Our January 2026 course is now. full but we have a further session available in March 2026.

Helplines and advice

  • Samaritans – to talk to someone, anytime 
  • Mind – mental health support across England and Wales 
  • Young Minds – practical advice and support for young people  
  • Tell Mama – to report anti-Muslim hate or Islamophobia  
  • Muslim Youth Helpline – faith and culturally sensitive support 
  • Become – support for all children in care and care leavers 

Websites

Films

Books

  • Jude, N., Moore, T., & Simango, G. (Eds.). (2025). The Anti-Racist Social Worker in Practice (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781041057413
  • Jewell, T. (2020). This book is Anti-Racist: 20 lessons on how to wake up, take action, and do the work. Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.
  • Yusuf Danesi, Outlanders: Hidden Narratives from Social Workers of Colour (from Black & Other Global Majority Communities), Edited by Wayne Reid and Siobhan Maclean, The British Journal of Social Work, Volume 52, Issue 5, July 2022, Pages 3058–3060, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcab150

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