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Please note: These examples of noteworthy practice do not constitute a formal endorsement or approval by the CRE of the practice cited. Neither do they preclude the possibility of enforcement action. Please also bear in mind good practice in one part of an authority does not necessarily mean it is performing well on race equality in other parts of the authority.
See also
Related pages
What is a race equality scheme, and what should it include?
Guidance for public authorities on preparing a race equality scheme as part of the specific duties to promote race equalityCentral government case studies
Central government case studies; part of the good race relations guideLocal government case studies
Local government case studies; part of the good race relations guideThe employment duty on public authorities
The race equality duty: how the specific duties relating to employment affect public authoritiesMonitoring existing policies for adverse impact
Guidance for public authorities on the specific duty to monitor existing policies for their impact on race equality.
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This page was last updated on 27 September 2006
Examples of good practice
Since the general statutory duty to promote race equality came into force in 2001, many public authorities have introduced well-planned and effective measures to help them meet its requirements.
Similarly, a number of bodies which are also subject to the specific duties, such as publishing race equality schemes and reviewing their list of functions and policies, have also been able to introduce policies and initiatives which have helped them better reflect the needs of all the communities they serve.
This section of the website highlights some of these examples of good practice. We intend to regularly update and expand these pages to include noteworthy examples across each of the specific duties.
Step-by-step guidance improves ethnic monitoring
Cardiff Council created step-by-step guidance for conducting ethnic monitoring. It also used the results of ethnic monitoring to set targets and evaluate the success of works programmes.
Tailored training leads to improved provision of police services
Kent Constabulary implemented a three-year staff training scheme to ensure the delivery of services fitted the needs of communities. It also strengthened in-house diversity training.
Grants target inequalities in mental health service provision
A study club for overseas and refugee doctors in Liverpool received a grant which enabled it to buy nearly 100 books and cassettes to address the needs of overseas trained doctors trying to update themselves and re-qualify to work in the UK.
Voluntary, public and private sector work together for race equality
Although voluntary organisations (and private organisations for that matter) are not bound by the statutory duty to promote race equality, some, such as the Bromley By Bow Centre have shown that they have a valuable role to play alongside public and private bodies in bringing local communities closer together.
Lessons to be learned? Improving school attendance and attainment
The Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) produced a survey report illustrating good practice in race equality work within local education authorities and schools it had visited between 2003 and 2005.
Tackling unauthorised encampments and site provision problems among Gypsies and Irish Travellers
The Metropolitan Police Service carried out a race equality impact assessment of proposed changes to its unauthorised encampment policy, during which it sought the views of Gypsies and Irish Travellers as well as local residents.
Openness and accountability improve community relations
Avon and Somerset Constabulary set out arrangements for publishing the results of impact assessments, consultations, and monitoring as part of a move to increase openness and accountability and improve relations with ethnic minority communities.
Welfare rights service improves access to benefits
Coventry City Council developed a service to improve the spread of information about welfare benefits, and improve the provision of advice and assistance to ethnic minority communities.
Providing better access to primary healthcare and collecting information about patients
Central Liverpool Primary Care Trust had found that asylum seekers, refugees and Gypsies and Travellers faced particular problems with gaining access to services provided by GPs locally. The trust agreed new contracts with GPs which offered them extra payments in return for providing certain services.
Rapid response team eases community conflict
Tower Hamlets Council established a rapid response team to tackle conflicts between residents in a culturally sensitive way, and prevent the escalation of tensions. This was part of a series of initiatives developed to create a safer and more inclusive community.
Three-pronged approach to improving race relations
Bristol City Council used community consultation, the provision of translation and interpretation services, and staff training to widen ethnic minority participation and promote race relations.
Using a 'people bank' to widen community participation
Gravesham Borough Council recognised that some local people, including those from ethnic minorities, were not taking part in consultations around housing issues. To address this, the council set up a 'people bank', which allowed voices from all sections of the community to be heard.
Encouraging people to fill in ethnic monitoring forms
The Community College in Hackney was keen to investigate ways of encouraging more students to complete the ethnic monitoring section on their enrolment forms. In 2003, more than a quarter of students (29.5%) did not declare their ethnicity on the form, but the college was able to reduce this to less than 10% by 2005.
Patient data collection helps GPs to tailor services to needs of local people
Liverpool Primary Care Trust has developed a form for profiling patients' ethnicity, language and religion which GPs have been using for over three years.
