Improving Psychology Services for Ethnically Diverse Communities

Adrian WebsterPsychology Lead on Services

to Ethnically Diverse Communities

Process

Interviews with Heads of psychology services• current situation• future needs

Report including recommendations and resource pack

Identification of and support for leads Action Plans Objectives

Key finding

Various projects and specific services have been set up for clients from Black and minority ethnic communities. Many of these services had features in common such as working in partnership with the voluntary sector, multiple access points, working in non-stigmatised locations and the use of consultancy and supervisory skills.

Approach

Bottom up (where possible!) Building on what is positive Assumption that most professionals believe in

equal opportunities and anti-racist practice About improving services for all clients -

common issues of power, difference, stigma and accessibility

One size doesn’t fit all As easy as possible to implement given other

pressures on clinicians

Data Collection

Ethnic Monitoring

Audit

Community Needs Assessment

Findings from ethnic monitoring and audits

Lambeth and Croydon - clients broadly reflect general population

Lewisham PC - Asian community underrepresented

Addictions - stimulant service particularly successful in engaging Black clients

Older Adults - South Asian and various Muslim communities show less good access

Findings from Community Consultations

Two way learning Often highlight stigma within communities Importance of alternatives to medication Requests include information provision,

supervision, training for staff and volunteers, indirect ways of working, satellite clinics in non-stigmatised locations

Need to act and to be accountable

Inequity?

Data often not clear but no reason not to act Why is there underrepresentation?

• Healthy communities?• Stigma?• Poor service reputation?• Referral practices?

Address stigma within communities Open up more direct referral pathways Examine referral practices

Strategies to enhance acceptability

How acceptable are we? Community consultation, drop out

Assessment to include spirituality and racism Continuing professional development Supervision and appraisal

Specific Projects

Indirect working in Lambeth

Stimulant Service

Older Adults

Building relationships

Issues

Psychologists aren’t the only ones to do psychological therapy!

Psychologists don’t work in a vacuum! Quality of data Resources Large and diverse directorates Authority of leads Evaluation

Where now?

Develop training initiatives Tighten up our ability to measure outcomes Link in with trainee’s research projects to

ensure diversity issues are addressed Good Practice Conference for psychologists

planned for next year