Engaging BME parents

The DCFS commissioned a research project to explore how children's services can effectively engage BME parents. The results are largely unsurprising: BME parents are likely to be disproportionally affected by barriers to access; staff made assumptions on BME parents; parents are keen to be involved but often it fails to happen; engagement with fathers tends to be especially difficult and that the BME label itself is not helpful as it encourages a view of a single group. The conclusions points to a mixed picture, if we are to create holistic children's services, we need to be clearer about what and how to effectively engage all parents.