Dozens of home care workers in Renfrewshire are being racially abused and refused entry to homes by the very people they aim to support, health chiefs have revealed.
More than half of those from ethnic minority backgrounds say they have experienced racism in the course of their day-to-day work delivering lifeline care for people in their own homes.
More than a third of those employed by Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) have also experienced racist language.
The partnership says staff – who have travelled from around the world to address the shortage of carers in Renfrewshire – have been turned away from homes due to the colour of their skin.
Racism in the sector has become such a problem that the HSCP has been forced to create a dedicated anti-racism policy for its staff and managers to adopt, while an anti-racism working group has also been set up.
Created in partnership with Engage Renfrewshire, Scottish Care and local independent care providers, the policy sets out clear steps to take should a member of staff experience racism in the course of their work.
Carron O’Byrne, head of health and social care at Renfrewshire HSCP added: “Renfrewshire HSCP believes it is everyone’s responsibility to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all staff. We need to do this by standing up for and giving a voice to those who face challenge and discrimination.”
In addition to the new policy, staff at the HSCP also underwent anti-racism training as participants of the Active Bystander course. It focused on how all care staff can best deal with situations where racism becomes an issue.
Being an Active Bystander means being aware when someone’s behaviour is inappropriate or threatening and choosing to challenge it. The course will now be extended to include bespoke training for managers on dealing with racist behaviour from clients and their families.
Dr Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care said: “Scottish Care are proud to work in partnership with Renfrewshire HSCP to promote a supportive, anti-racist approach in care at home services.
“We recognise that staff from minority ethnic backgrounds experience racism in their day-to-day work – and we are committed to addressing this by working together to improve knowledge and understanding of the impact of racism on care at home staff and being a catalyst for cultural and attitudinal change.”
The policy and any recorded anti-racist behaviour will now be monitored and managed by the recently formed joint anti-racism Working Group.
Johannes Gonani, of Pachedu – the Renfrewshire-based diversity charity – said workplaces must fully appreciate the impact racism has on the mental wellbeing of their staff.
He told the Paisley Daily Express: “These statistics do not surprise me at all. We have seen anecdotal evidence from those working in the care sector, but it’s important to note that this is a concern in other sectors as well.
“We need to see all organisations put systemic processes in place to not only equip bystanders with knowledge but to ensure their own organisations do not allow such things to happen and to ensure there are sterner penalties in place for those who cross the line.
“The reality is these carers have to live [with this abuse]. It affects their confidence, their mental health, it affects all areas of your everyday life.”
Pachedu was set up in 2016 to help minority groups in the West of Scotland be more visible and pro-active in shaping their communities. Renfrewshire HSCP began recruiting carers from overseas following a huge shortage of caring staff in the immediate area.
Carers offer support to vulnerable people within their own homes, ensuring they can leave hospital and more people can be admitted for procedures, cancer treatment and other urgent care.
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