Improving Psychology Services for Ethnically Diverse Communities Adrian Webster Psychology Lead on Services to Ethnically Diverse Communities

Process l Interviews with Heads of psychology services current situation future needs l Report including recommendations and resource pack l Identification of and support for leads l Action Plans l Objectives

Key finding l Various projects and specific services have been set up for clients from Black and minority ethnic communities. Many of these services had features in common such as working in partnership with the voluntary sector, multiple access points, working in non-stigmatised locations and the use of consultancy and supervisory skills.

Approach l Bottom up (where possible!) l Building on what is positive l Assumption that most professionals believe in equal opportunities and anti- racist practice l About improving services for all clients - common issues of power, difference, stigma and accessibility l One size doesn’t fit all l As easy as possible to implement given other pressures on clinicians

Data Collection l Ethnic Monitoring l Audit l Community Needs Assessment

Findings from ethnic monitoring and audits l Lambeth and Croydon - clients broadly reflect general population l Lewisham PC - Asian community underrepresented l Addictions - stimulant service particularly successful in engaging Black clients l Older Adults - South Asian and various Muslim communities show less good access

Findings from Community Consultations l Two way learning l Often highlight stigma within communities l Importance of alternatives to medication l Requests include information provision, supervision, training for staff and volunteers, indirect ways of working, satellite clinics in non-stigmatised locations l Need to act and to be accountable

Inequity? l Data often not clear but no reason not to act l Why is there underrepresentation? Healthy communities? Stigma? Poor service reputation? Referral practices? l Address stigma within communities l Open up more direct referral pathways l Examine referral practices

Strategies to enhance acceptability l How acceptable are we? Community consultation, drop out l Assessment to include spirituality and racism l Continuing professional development l Supervision and appraisal

Specific Projects l Indirect working in Lambeth l Stimulant Service l Older Adults l Building relationships

Issues l Psychologists aren’t the only ones to do psychological therapy! l Psychologists don’t work in a vacuum! l Quality of data l Resources l Large and diverse directorates l Authority of leads l Evaluation

Where now? l Develop training initiatives l Tighten up our ability to measure outcomes l Link in with trainee’s research projects to ensure diversity issues are addressed l Good Practice Conference for psychologists planned for next year