Workforce planning key to improving early help access for ethnic minorities, study finds

Analysis shows that ethnic minority young people described their experience of accessing early help and family support as “negative and off-putting”.

Families from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities said they encountered “multiple barriers” when seeking support, it adds.

Parents and young people “found experiences of racism and discrimination”, in attempting to access support, say researchers.

A lack of understanding of cultural differences is a key complaint cited by families surveyed.

“There were clear differences in the way that my family were treated, my son in particular, and there were racial overtones that were clearly defined,” said one parent.

One young person surveyed said that during a mental health support session they were told that their feelings “were my own fault and I should basically fix my own problems and I’d feel better”.