Working with Black and Minority Ethnic communities

Introduction

This toolbox module draws together a range of information, advice and guidance to help inform the everyday contacts that you make, develop and maintain within your local Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities. It focuses on the practical facts of getting fire safety messages to all parts of the local population to provide some basic information on how best to work with a wide range of different cultures and faiths.

Obviously, because of the geographical distribution of different groups, some of you will have a greater level of first hand knowledge and practical expertise to build on than others. Make the most of this knowledge; do not hesitate to get in touch with other local teams when beginning any new campaigns and contacts and draw on their experience, lessons learned and ideas.

This document should be read in conjunction with the additional information on cultural awareness – this has details of the main faith groups that you might encounter in the UK.

More detailed information is included in this toolbox. Go to:

  • Before You StartinGetting Started, in particularCommunity Partnerships (1.3)

Where possible, references have been included for you to follow up. For further information, contact the Fire Kills Media Campaign.

Setting the scene

In the 2001 census, just over 4.6 million people – about nine per cent of the UK's population - classified themselves as non-white. This figure reflects a great diversity of ethnicities in terms of origin, culture, location and language; Indians form the largest group, followed by Pakistanis, those of mixed ethnic backgrounds, Black Caribbean, Black Africans and Bangladeshis.

The largest proportion of people from (non-white) minority ethnic groups live in London, though there are other important centres of population, such as Slough, Leicester, Birmingham and Luton.

What the Census does is provide a basic framework for understanding the range and depth of different black and minority ethnic groups and the way people perceive themselves. What it does not do is show the complexities that lie behind why people categorise themselves, nor of the individuals that fall within a particular grouping. It does not include information on how strongly people identify with the category or share cultural characteristics. As a report from the Home Office - Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society (published in 2005) –stresses, such a complex picture merits:

'…….more sophisticated, tailored approaches to meeting the specific needs of different minority communities…rather than treating all minority groups as disadvantaged or having the same needs. This is the time to move on from one-size-fits-all approaches to meeting Black and Minority Ethnic needs.'

It is vital to stress the importance of making the time and effort to build knowledge of local BME groups. Remember- even community and voluntary groups working with the same community in an area may have a very different ethos and ways of working. Do not make assumptions or take anything for granted when making plans to work with specific groups.

Why is it important to work with black and minority ethnic groups?

There are three key reasons why the FRS needs to work with BME groups:

  • Risk issues
  • Fire Service Core Values
  • Legal Imperatives

Risk Issues

At present, official fire statistics do not provide information on the extent to which Black and Minority Ethnic communities experience fires in the home, or on fire deaths and injuries, because information on the ethnic origin of fire victims is not collected on the FDR1 form.

Some information is available from the 2005/05 Survey of English Housing (published by Communities and Local Government - Fires in the Home: findings from the 2004/05 Survey of English Housing). It found that in the previous 12 months, the proportion of households reporting fires for the three main ethnic groups was:

  • 1.5 per cent of whitehouseholds
  • 1.7 per cent of black households
  • 0.9 per cent of Asian households

In previous years this information was available from the British Crime Surveys (1996 and 1999). For example, in 1999, the incidence of household fires for the main ethnic groups was as follows (1996 figures in brackets):

  • White:4.4 fires per 100 households (4.4)
  • African-Caribbean:4.3 fires per 100 households (3.7)
  • Asian:3.3 fires per 100 households (2.7)

Both surveys suggested that Asian families had the lowest number of fires per 100 households, and the 1996 survey noted that:

'Although Asian households tend to be larger, which is associated with higher fire risks, they actually have lower risks than white households when the household size and other factors are taken into account. Afro-Caribbeans also have lower risks than whites, but the difference is not statistically significant.'

Thefigures from both surveys are, in reality, relatively similar but other factors suggest that people from BME groups are at increased risk. For example, the same report found that:

  • BME households had higher odds of not owning a working smoke alarm; with Asian households the least likely to do so.
  • Households from multi-ethnic and low income areas were most likely to have suffered a fire in the previous 12 months.

In fact, evidence shows that multiple deprivation is a key factor in the increased risk of fire and people from BME groups are more likely to experience poor housing, low incomes, ill-health and disability.

Together with low ownership of smoke alarms, other factors affecting risk among BME communities are:

  • the use of hot oil and naked flames in cooking;
  • low fire safety awareness; and,
  • high rates of smoking in some communities.

"The available data demonstrates that, while there is much variation within and between different ethnic groups, overall, people from minority ethnic communities are more likely than others to live in deprived areas and in unpopular and overcrowded housing."

Source: Minority Ethnic Issues in Social Exclusion and Neighbourhood Renewal: A guide to the work of the Social Exclusion Unit and the Policy Action Teams so far, Cabinet Office, June 2000.

According to the Cabinet Office Social Exclusion Unit:

"Minority ethnic communities experience a double disadvantage. They are disproportionately concentrated in deprived areas and experience all the problems that affect other people in these areas. But people from minority ethnic communities also suffer the consequences of racial discrimination; services that fail to reach them or meet their needs; and language and cultural barriers in gaining access to information and services."

Using data on BME groups for campaigns and communication

Translate the national facts and figures into local information and data to create an informed perspective for your own campaign and communications planning. For example:

  • London Fire and Rescue Service carried out research to evaluate the impact of fire safety campaigns on the behaviour and attitudes of people of Bangladeshi origin, where smoke alarm penetration was lower than the London average. The research found that smoke alarm ownership increased (from a fifth to a third of households), but that people from the targeted groups needed to be assured that the smoke alarm message, and fire safety actions in general, were a priority for everyone, not just home owners and those who speak English.
  • Research for the Fire Kills Campaign, which was carried out as part of the April 2000 Fire Action Plan pilot campaign in the Yorkshire TV region, highlighted the marked fire safety differences between white and Asian samples covered by a tracking survey.

Issue / White / Asian
Have smoke alarms / 75% / 56%
Have an escape plan / 37% / 7%
TV advertising recall / 53% / 21%
  • Qualitative research on the Fire Action Plan leaflet, carried out among Urdu speakers (Pakistani) and Gujarati speakers (Indian) in Bradford, showed some awareness of fire safety issues and recent fires in the community, but that this was coupled with a lack of knowledge and motivation to plan what to do if a fire did occur.

FRS Core Values

The FRS core values underline the importance of work with specific groups by:

  • emphasising a commitment to serving all parts of the community;
  • recognising that diverse needs, expectations and risks need diverse solutions; and
  • fulfilling responsibilities to people, communities and the environment.

Legislation

The Race Relations Act 1976 (RRA) outlawed discrimination in employment and training, the provision of good, facilities and services, education, housing and certain other activities. It enabled individuals who had been discriminated against to bring proceedings and claim damages and it provided for the establishment of the Commission for Racial Equality.

The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 strengthened the Race Relations Act and increased the coverage of the Act to include the police. It outlawed discrimination (direct and indirect) and placed a general duty on specified public authorities to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups in carrying out their functions.

Faith communities

Working with, and identifying the needs of, different faith communities, is receiving increasing attention. Even so, the 2001 Census found that the most common self-recorded religion was Christian - over seven out of ten people placed themselves in this category, with as many as 15 per cent saying that they followed 'no religion'.

Some six per cent of the population followed other religions. The most common were Muslim - three per cent; Hindu (one per cent) and Sikh (just under one per cent).

London has the highest proportion of Muslims, Hindus, Jews and Buddhists.

For many members of Black and Minority Ethnic groups, their faith community and place of worship are influential aspects of community life. Even so, it is useful to remember that simply because a person is from a specific country or region it does not mean that they will necessarily follow the dominant religion.

"Multi cultural communities are often multi-faith communities and this should be fully recognised in policies aimed at promoting diversity. Fostering understanding and respect between different faiths is vital in practically implementing community cohesion strategies’’ – Communities and Local Government

Most churches, mosques, synagogues and temples are a good source of information, advice and guidance on working with the local community and will have a broad spectrum of membership from the surrounding community.

Be aware of, (and possibly attend where appropriate), religious, cultural and social events in your area, such as festivals, inter-faith and joint celebrations:

  • Some of the main events are included in the Fire Kills Media Campaign Year Planner. Contact the Fire Kills Media Campaign.
  • Click here to view a comprehensive religious calendar

Other useful contacts are:

The Inner Cities Religious Council (ICRC), which works with government and policy makers to ensure that the views of faith communities are represented and taken into account during the formulation of policies. It includes members from the Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Sikh communities. At local level, faith groups are encouraged to be involved in regeneration and neighbourhood renewal projects and fire prevention is just one of the community safety issues that might be included in the development of such networks and partnerships.

The Inter-Faith Network for the UK,founded in 1987 to promote good relationships between people of different faiths in the UK. Its member organisations include representatives of a wide range of faith organisations. It has produced a useful publication on inter-faith understanding - Building Good Relationships with People of Different Faiths and Beliefs - which includes guidelines for inter-religious encounters and dialogue.

Faith communities will obviously benefit from help and advice in ensuring the safety and protection from fire of their own places of worship. There are nearly 50,000 places of worship of all denominations and religions in the UK, attended by over 6 million people. National Churchwatch is a network which provides organised links between places of worship in particular areas, to provide security advice and information, including arson prevention.

The Home Office produced a useful Brief Guide to Major Religious and Cultural Observance in the United Kingdom, which provides general background about the major religions and cultures. More comprehensive information can be obtained from sources such as the Multi-Cultural Matters Yearbook.

Or look atCultural Diversity: A resource booklet on religious and cultural observance, belief, language and naming systems.

More guidance is also available in Religions in the UK: A Multi-Faith Directory, University of Derby in association with the Inter Faith Network for the UK. Contact the University of Derby on 01332 592026 or visit the Multifaithnet website.

Community Engagement: a 'whole community' approach

The most effective way to embed fire safety into the community is by using activities which create a relationship between the fire and rescue service and the community. These activities come under the umbrella of community engagement. The key aim is to encourage a two way conversation with communities, acknowledging them as equal partners and working with them to develop and plan work.

As with other aspects of your community fire safety strategy, specific campaigns, community outreach and involvement need to be based on local knowledge and issues:

  • What Black and Minority Ethnic communities are there in your area? How much do you know about them? Have you made contact with them? How much contact do you have with them? Are your contacts the right ones, and up-to-date?
  • What risk assessments have been done for those areas and communities? What are the emerging fire trends and priorities? Have there been specific incidents?
  • What opportunities are there to engage with local groups? DoFRS staff have sufficient confidence and experience to do so?

If your local demographics show that your community is pretty homogeneous, beware of assuming diversity is not a priority. Often smaller and more secluded communities do not have access to established services and structures, such as those in larger urban areas such as Birmingham and London, and are, therefore, most in need of support. Understanding and engaging with local residents is key; identify individuals that can help you identify the support needed and use that knowledge to plan your approach.

Go to:

  • Before You Startunder Getting Started, in particularCommunity Partnerships (1.3)

Community Audits

A community audit is simply a term for the systematic collection of information on the make-up of the community in a particular area.

It is important to get information about the communities in your area. Key factors include location, size and characteristics (families, family size, ages, languages, faith, and customs). Much of the information will be available from organisations which are already working with BME communities, such as the local authority. Use their web site as an initial starting point. More hints and tips on sources of information and contacts follow in the rest of this module.

While doing your audit, also collect information on the issues affecting the community. This might be housing quality, income and employment issues, smoking rates, views on state services, and general health issues. There are a number of ways to do this, including:

  • attendance at local events aimed at the community you want to target;
  • networking;
  • meeting with people who work with the community;
  • reading relevant publications; and,
  • talking to local businesses.

UPDATE YOUR AUDIT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. Populations change and move. For example, the ONS website points out that, since the late 1990s, net international migration into the UK has been an increasingly important factor in population change. Most migrants arrive in the UK for work or to study.

Building contacts and networks

There is no substitute for direct personal involvement with Black and Minority Ethnic communities; making and sustaining contact, and establishing meaningful partnerships, is vital. Campaign research, and the views of community workers, shows that FRS outreach work is most effective when approached in this way. It will also pay dividends in terms of building the community relationships that are needed for successful recruiting.

Personal contact and networking can be achieved in a number of ways, but be aware that building credible relationships and contacts takes time. The most obvious and immediate link will be people you already know from minority ethnic communities, including fire and rescue service and local authority personnel. Others are:

  • local health visitors and community workers - a fantastic source of up-to-date community knowledge and information;
  • BME women's resource centres - often hugely popular and spread right across the country. They may also be a useful platform for fire safety presentations, but do not forget to obtain advice on who should attend. The centres are used by women of all ages for varied activities, from learning English to sewing classes; they may be developed through existing bodies and networks, such as crime and disorder groups, health alliances, housing and regeneration organisations, and local schools;
  • local health bodies such as the Primary Care Trusts and GP surgeries;
  • existing local involvement with area-based initiatives such as Health Action Zones and Education Action Zones;
  • local Race Equality Councils (RECs) provide valuable advice and guidance, and community connections. RECs are managed by representatives of community groups, voluntary and statutory organisations, and individuals who support their aims. They operate within local authority boundaries, and provide a focal point for black and minority ethnic issues in an area, as well as offering a starting point for finding out more about local communities. A Directory of Race Equality Councils can be found at the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) website.CRE will be replaced by the Commission for Equality and Human Rights in October 2007;
  • the CRE is another potential source of local contacts, as well as information, advice and guidance. There are CRE offices in London (Head Office), Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Leicester, Cardiff and Edinburgh. Details on the CRE website.
  • local Councils for Voluntary Service or Volunteer Bureau - many areas have established community centres for particular minority ethnic groups, covering different origins, ethnicity's and ages. They are particularly useful for contacts with organisations for young people and other local networks that exist to support specific groups such as refugees, asylum seekers and new settlers; and,
  • local authorities/councils also hold lists of local community and voluntary groups/organisations.

As part of the process of auditing and 'mapping' your area, you may find it helpful to build up a database of the whole range of community organisations to ensure representative contact and feedback.