Wipers Youth CIC delivers services in anti-discriminatory practice

Unconscious racial bias has contributed to an over-representation of black and mixed heritage young men in the criminal justice system, with black young adults twice as likely to receive a caution, 8.4 times to receive a conviction and 1.5 times to be incarcerated.

An HMI Probation report found that black and mixed heritage boys were consistently over-represented in custody and racial discrimination was accepted as “just the way it is”.

Inspectors urged training, support, direction and guidance for staff.

Youth justice social enterprise Wipers Youth CIC aims to tackle unconscious bias through training in anti-discriminatory practice alongside mentoring young people to provide them with a constructive relationships with a trusted adult to help safely navigate from adolescence to adulthood.

Wipers deliver an array of services, all embedded in anti-discriminatory practice, often in partnership.

High-quality anti-racist training not only helps tackle unconscious bias, but Wipers believe it is also central to tackling recruitment and retention issues in the youth justice and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector – exacerbated since Covid, due to burn out and low pay. Upskilling professionals through high-quality training and investing heavily in continued professional development is key.

“Employees value learning and training opportunities just as much, if not more, than their employers and research shows that professionals are more likely to stay at organisations that invest in their continued professional development,” says Sammy Odoi, Wipers' founder. “Organisations with successful training programmes typically see a significant increase in employee retention.”

In 2020/21, more than 1,100 professionals participated in Wipers’ training courses. More than 60 staff at Manchester Youth Justice team received Wipers' ‘Unconscious Bias’ training in phases since pre-lockdown, alternating between face-to-face and online, depending on Covid restrictions. Cultural Competency and Anti-Racism courses were also delivered. The youth justice team recommended the Unconscious Bias training to colleagues in the Complex Safeguarding Team which deals with exploitation, such was its success.

Tricia Ramarozafy, head of youth justice in Manchester, says: “It allows you to understand that we all have biases, acknowledging it and ensuring that those biases not impacting on our decision-making around young people.”

One attendee from Manchester adds: "I feel I have been equipped with ways to positively challenge unconscious bias and the knowledge to support any challenges put to me."

Alongside training staff, Wipers delivers a mentoring service which adopts a relationship-based, person-centred approach to engage young people and help them to increase their self-esteem, confidence and personal and social development.

The social enterprise has long-running contracts around mentoring with Islington, Hammersmith and Fulham and Newham.

Catherine Briody, Head of Youth Safety Commissioning at Islington, explains how the borough receives referrals through the “front door” for 11- to 17-year-olds who are vulnerable to criminal exploitation. "It may be that they have older siblings in the youth justice system or in gangs or they may be exhibiting disruptive behaviour and are in need of some extra support," she says.

Wipers allocates a mentor based on the young person's needs and the two will meet at least weekly over three to six months. The mentor will support them with any issues around school, friendships, behaviour, familial problems and encourage positive activities to build confidence and self-esteem.

"It is a preventive service to work with the young person early and get them on the right path," explains Catherine.

The mentoring scheme is "very successful, with fantastic feedback from young people, schools, parents and colleagues in other areas of youth justice at Islington," she says, adding that their outcome files show progress "across the board".

In fact, 88 per cent of young people mentored reported an increase in confidence and self-esteem, according to Wipers' annual report.

The social enterprise is involved in a number of partnerships around youth justice including the Ministry of Justice and the Mayor for London’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) “Transitions to Adult Hub”, based at Newham Probation Office providing specialist support for 18- to 25-year-olds under probation supervision, all under one roof.

Furthermore, Wipers' “Ether Programme” works directly with black and minority ethnic young men involved with the youth justice system, addressing issues around race and identity and perceptions of self-esteem and confidence, with funding from London’s Violence Reduction Unit.

More recently, the Youth Justice Board (YJB) announced Wipers would be delivering a self-development programme for young people placed in supported accommodation in London offering alternatives to custody for young people on remand. The YJB recently reported that children who are held on remand make up 45 per cent of all children in the youth custody estate, and 58 per cent on remand are from an ethnic minority group.

"Wipers is a black-led organisation, embedded in the community, and is highly experienced in youth justice. It is very proactive, child-centred with experienced criminal justice experts and which delivers fantastic training. They are really excellent around unconscious bias and bring all that added value to the table," Catherine concludes.

• Find more about Wipers' Training here. A 20 per cent discount is available for Children & Young People Now readers using the code CYPN20.