We’re delighted to share the the new Workforce Development and Leadership Programme Report, carried out by our partner organisation H.O.P.E Training and Consultancy and consortium members (including ourselves) has been released today. It sets out key recommendations to build capacity and opportunities for professionals from racialised communities working across the domestic abuse perpetrator service sector.
Recognising a lack of diversity in the workforce and inadequate opportunities for professionals from racialised communities as a prominent issue across the not-for-profit sector, the Drive Partnership commissioned H.O.P.E Training and Consultancy to conduct research into the views and experiences of nearly 50 frontline staff from racialised communities and over 40 sector leaders working within specialist domestic abuse perpetrator services and organisations.
Through 1-2-1 interviews and group discussions with frontline staff, researchers identified three overarching themes and areas for improvement, including tackling institutional racism; focusing on equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I); and addressing feelings of isolation. Researchers also recognised that ED&I was a central focus of sector leaders but identified the understanding and acknowledgement of privilege as an opportunity for further improvement.
Utilising these findings, H.O.P.E Training and Consultancy compiled four key recommendations to address systemic barriers to colleagues from racialised communities in relation to entering the sector, remaining part of the workforce and progressing to leadership opportunities. The recommendations, which the Drive Partnership has committed to implementing, include a pilot leadership programme for staff from racialised communities, a pilot development course for sector leaders, the development of a support network and action learning, and a final evaluation and sharing of findings.
Found out more about these recommendations via H.O.P.E Training and Consultancy.
SUMMARY REPORT – Workforce Development and Leadership Programme