Why we are here
In 2005 the Delivering Race Equality (DRE) in Mental Healthcare
Action Plan was launched. In order to attempt to address the
inequalities in service and care for the Black and Minority Ethnic
(BME) population the Government, through local Primary Care Trusts,
initiated a national programme to recruit 500 Community Development
Workers (CDW). With its diverse BME community the London Borough of
Croydon was allocated four such posts.
As a result of a successful partnership bid submitted by Off the
Record, Croydon BME Forum and Healing Waters, two BME CDW posts are
based at Off the Record.
"Three Building Blocks"
The Mental Healthcare Action plan is based on three "building
blocks":
- More appropriate and responsive services -
achieved through action to develop organisations and the workforce,
to improve clinical services and to improve services for specific
groups, such as older people, asylum seekers and refugees, and
children
- Community engagement - delivered through
healthier communities and by action to engage communities in
planning services, and supported by 500 new Community Development
Workers
- Better information - from improved monitoring
of ethnicity, better dissemination of information and good
practice, and improved knowledge about effective services.
Working in Croydon:
The Croydon BME Mental Health CDW Service is here to ensure that
all elements of the three buildilng blocks are developed and
delivered in Croydon. The full remit of the CDW role is outlined in
the Mental Health Policy Guide: Community Development
Workers for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities
Handbook.
In addition to the wider over-arching strategy of the CDW's
remit, each has an age specific BME client group to work
with. The work is divided as follows:
0 - 25 years; 16 -35 years; 25 - 60 years; 55 years and over, with
Off the Record based CDW's working with the 0-25 and 16-35 age
ranges.
To find out more about how we can work together contact the BME
CDWs.
Useful Downloads:
Delivering Race Equality (DRE) in Mental Healthcare
Action Plan - an action plan for reform inside and outside
services.
Breaking the Circles Of Fear - A review of the
relationship between mental health services and African and
Caribbean communities
Care Quality Commission Count Me In 2010 -
Results of the 2010 national census of inpatients and patients on
supervised community treatment in mental health and learning
disability services in England and Wales
Care Quality Commission Action Plan For Children
and Young People - Position statement and action plan for
children, young people and maternity services 2010-2015
Inside Outside - Improving Mental Health
Services for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities in England
