In this episode Jeremy, Deborah and David discuss the challenges for our professions in recognising and actively addressing systemic racism.
They reflect on barriers to entry into professions, the enduring Eurocentric models that underpin training, and the opportunities for improvement that require understanding of systemic racism and leadership for change.
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Contributors
Jeremy Bacon
Jeremy is the Third Sector Lead in the BACP policy team. He has over 25 years' experience of work in the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector which has included development of independent mental health advocacy and delivery of UK-wide support services for people with long-term conditions. Jeremy is a member of the BACP task and finish group developing the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy and is passionate about the role of the third sector to increase access to talking therapies.
Deborah Barnett
Deborah is Anti Racist Strategic Lead for Hackney Children and Education directorate. She has played a key role in the directorate's drive to embed anti racism as a core principle and aspect of work and practice.
A former headteacher, school development manager and education policy lead, Deborah has worked in inner city schools with young people at risk of school exclusion and extra-familial harm. She has over 20 years of teaching, mentoring and pastoral leadership in various educational settings, with a focus on young people experiencing disproportionality in education, social care and the criminal justice system.
David Weaver
David is former President of BACP having previously served as a Governor or Trustee and Vice President. He has played a key role in BACP’s drive to embed social justice as a core principle of its work and strongly advocates the relevance of the counselling professions for 'ordinary people and communities’.
A former social worker, university lecturer and local authority senior manager, David is senior partner of DWC, a leadership consulting firm that works predominantly with public sector bodies in the UK. He is a former political advisor to the Deputy Home Secretary and Home Secretary in the late 1990s where he worked on critical aspects of the Home Affairs brief.
David is a co-founder of Operation Black Vote and sits on the boards of several organisations working in the areas of human rights, community development and counselling in communities. He holds an MSc in Human Resources Management and qualifications in coaching, conflict resolution and occupational psychology.