They say the backing of exclusions is particularly “harsh” at a time when children are dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns.
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The concerns have been raised following the publication of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities' report this week. The commission claimed it could not find evidence of institutional racism in the UK and that “we no longer see a Britain where the system is deliberately rigged against ethnic minorities”.
The commission also said that “it found no evidence of systemic or institutional racism” in the use of exclusions and suspensions by schools.
It also backed the use of permanent exclusion as a “necessary tool to protect school safety and maintain high quality education” but did acknowledge racial disparities in latest exclusion figures.
In the 2018 to 2019 school year, Gypsy, Roma and Irish traveller pupils had the highest temporary exclusion rates, followed by mixed white and Black Caribbean pupils and Black Caribbean pupils. Children from Chinese and Indian ethnic groups have the lowest temporary exclusion rates.
A similar pattern is seen with permanent exclusions, the commission admits.
Centre for Mental Health associate director of children and young people’s mental health Kadra Abdinasir disputes the commission’s comments, around the links between racism and exclusions. She is also concerned that exclusion is being used amid the Covid health crisis.
“Young black people consistently tell us about their experiences of racism and discrimination in their everyday lives, especially in school,” Abdinasir said.
“Excessive use of restrictive interventions and exclusions further harm young people’s health and cast a long shadow over their life chances. So it is disappointing that the report today vindicates the use of harsh discipline at a time when many children are even more vulnerable after months of lockdown.”
She added: “We urgently need a new start: to recognise the harm caused by racism and to find collective solutions to bring about better mental health for all. The report will not provide the framework for that change to start happening.”
Here's our full response to today's #RacismReport:
— Centre for Mental Health (@CentreforMH) March 31, 2021
"Race Disparity Commission report falls far short of offering solutions for equality in mental health and life chances in Britain, says Centre for Mental Health": https://t.co/Ce8UagIxyM #RaceReport pic.twitter.com/PJJ5O12769
Further concerns have been raised by children’s campaigners around the commission’s report.
The Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition said it is “really saddened to see the news about the findings” from the commission.
It adds that “racism is not a thing of the past as the report says. We know racism has a massive impact on the mental health of children and young people”.
Meanwhile, foster carer Martin Barrow is concerned that the commission’s report makes no reference to children in care or the care system.
Latest official data shows that the proportion of looked after children from black, mixed and other ethnic groups rose from 18 per cent to 22 per cent between 2015 and 2019.
FWIW, the report of the Government's Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities makes no reference to children in care or the care system.https://t.co/2Z671fKzdo
— Martin Barrow (@MartinBarrow) March 31, 2021
Children’s Rights campaign group Article 39 says that "children from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities occupy every second prison cell in the child secure estate”.
The group notes that the Commission’s recommendations for supporting families focus on “another review” as well as offering “digital support” for children at risk.
🧐Today's report from Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities recommends *another* review. A 'digital solution' is proposed for children at risk, which presupposes children and families haven't been desperately seeking help already and that services are there, ready & waiting. pic.twitter.com/RUYO4ZKgT8
— Article 39 (@article_39) March 31, 2021
