“Was that racism?”: New toolkit launched to process racism and bias in social work

Called Shades of Bias, the framework aims to move beyond a “tick-box” approach to equality, diversity, and inclusion by supporting social workers in upholding the core values of their profession.

Developed collaboratively with BASW England’s thematic groups, frontline social workers, and the Anti Racist Movement (ARM), among others, the resource includes a structured case study template with guiding prompts and ‘exemplar’ entries to help users record and process incidents.

“There will be some people out there who may think they have been discriminated against or suffered racism or observed it or feel they may have shown bias themselves but not sure what to do about it,” Wayne Reid, BASW England Professional Officer and lead on the project, explained.

“The framework can be used as part of formal process within organisations or informally on a personal basis. There are many different scenarios and roles in which people might complete the form.”

Resource materials developed by thematic groups within BASW England include a ‘case study’ template to guide people on how to describe, think about and act on incidents. It also includes ‘exemplars' for how incidents should be recorded and processed.

The initiative was prompted by concerns raised with BASW England about anti-Black racism, particularly by students on placement, practice educators during supervision, and newly qualified social workers. It also follows a report by the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel highlighting racial biases in services and professional conduct.

Reid said there were “blind spots” within some services and behaviours, cultures and practices that enable biases to sometimes go unchecked.

“The hope is that by filling in the form and engaging with the prompts it will guide people through to think in a more linear and sequential way around a particular incident.

“An organisation may integrate it and ask their employees to complete it anonymously. It can be used formally or informally, for private, personal benefit.

“In some cases action would be important following someone filling in a shade of bias form.

“But there is also benefit in people just thinking and reflecting. It might not lead to any action, but it may just influence their world or professional view in a positive way.”

Shantel Thomas, founder of ARM, said it is “more than a tool – it's a bold declaration that lived experience matters, and that reflection is the first step towards action,” adding that “this is how we dismantle racism - from the inside out."

Shabnam Ahmed, BASW Black and Ethnic Minority Professionals Symposium (BPS) member and founder of School of Shabs consultancy, added: “Shades of Bias is a transformative tool, powerful for both deep reflection and bold action.

“It empowers self-agency by giving voice to silenced experiences and challenging the minimisation of racism. True change demands bravery: to recognise that both courage and vulnerability can sit side by side. The discomfort is necessary for accountability.”