Our progress in tackling racism

This is an opportunity for our Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic people in Southwark to collaborate in developing diverse and inclusive open spaces. 

We have:

• looked at how places, public art and policies are named to ensure they reflect our vision

• started London's first diverse inclusive architects' framework of 20 locally-based architects

• held two Community Conversation days about Public Art in Southwark

• used the Peckham Square project as a model scheme to establish best practices

• received over 600 feedback comments and design ideas as part of community engagement work

• done an anti-racist audit to identify statues and street names that have links with slavery

• used the audit as an opportunity to honour more diverse people

We’re working to make sure that our young Black, Asian and minority ethnic people are participating fully and meaningfully in an environment where their heritage is reflected in teaching.

We have:

• used the experience of Black, Asian and minority ethnic professionals to address racial discrimination in schools

• worked with headteachers and governors to attract more black professional governors onto Southwark’s governing bodies

• supported schools to develop relationships within, and outside of school, and find meaningful work experience placements

We’ve worked on harnessing the passion and commitment of our Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities to address health inequalities.

We have:

• developed a strong approach to address wider health inequalities that affect physical, mental and emotional wellbeing
• developed a Health Inequalities Strategy for our Health and Wellbeing Board

We aim to create greater opportunities for our Southwark based Black, Asian and minority ethnic artists to receive support in the development of new products and showcasing their work.

We have:

• worked with Southwark arts organisations to ensure that their boards represent the different ethnic backgrounds of their community
• ran masterclasses and peer learning sessions with prospective trustees recruited from Olmec’s Black on Board programme
• offered support to help Southwark-based Black, Asian and minority ethnic artists create new projects
• worked with local theatres and galleries to increase the amount of artistic content made by Black and culturally diverse artists

During our listening exercise, people told us how important it is that art represents different life experiences and that this can only happen by offering paid opportunities to a greater range of artists. 

We have developed a programme offering:

• funding to artists from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities to buy materials or hire rehearsal space for them and their collaborators
• opportunities for the funded artists to showcase their work to decision-makers from arts organisations around Southwark
• opportunities to showcase their work in art gallery exhibitions, theatre stages, or be featured in festivals

We want a community that can celebrate good news stories where Black, Asian and minority ethnic residents are working closely with the police and developing increasing levels of trust and confidence through positive engagement models

To create this, we have:

• reviewed current local stop and search monitoring arrangements to improve confidence in and understanding of the policing strategy
• created extra monitoring and scrutiny group monitor stop and search arrangements
• held several events between the Youth Independence Advisory Group (YIAG) and Metropolitan Police Officers to discuss the effect 'stop and search' has on young people
• held regular Independent Advisory Group (IAGs) meetings to constructively challenge policing practices
• invited members of the community to watch Body Worn Video (BWV) footage and offer their views to the Metropolitan Police on what went well and what they could improve

We have worked to ensure that many people from diverse backgrounds across Southwark are accessing quality jobs. Locally inspired Black, Asian and minority ethnic-led small businesses are also thriving, backed by accessible and effective business support.

We have also:

• Supported people from all backgrounds to access quality employment opportunities, including:
  • apprenticeships
  • internships
  • careers information
  • advice and guidance
• reviewed ‘Southwark Works’, the council’s employment service, to better understand how it supports our diverse communities
• Worked with 367 local businesses to design services that provide the support they need

An initial review of the ‘Southwark Works’ service found that over 80% of people accessing the service were from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds, and almost 85% of the people who were supported into work represented the diversity of the people that live in Southwark.

We’ve worked to create a culture where everyone can be themselves at work and are supported to achieve their full potential.

This includes:

• demonstrating our commitment to equality and anti-racism with refreshed and ongoing internal communications and engagement activities.
• reviewing our recruitment processes
• stopping using the term BAME in our workforce
• appointed an external Equality, Diversity and Inclusions (EDI) partner to design a better approach to understanding the lived experience of our Black, Asian and ethnic community
• developed training, bitesize learning and support on areas such as white privilege and anti-racism
• raised the profile of our valued Black, Asian and ethnic minority colleagues by hearing about their career stories, inspiring others to reach senior-level positions in the council and within our communities
• re-trained our leaders and managers so that they understand the critical role they play in addressing racism and injustice in the workplace