8.31 Racial and Religious Harassment
Children and families from black or ethnic minority groups are likely to have experienced harassment, racial discrimination and institutional racism.
Experience of racism is likely to affect how a child behaves, in particular when being assessed by a worker, or being cared for by a carer of a different ethnic origin.
All agencies have a responsibility to recognise racial harassment. Children's Social Care and the Police must respond effectively when incidents of racial harassment and attacks place a child at risk of Significant Harm.
Failure to protect a child from racism (whether it originates from within or outside of the family) or take action when racism is being alleged is likely to undermine all other efforts being made to promote the welfare of the child.
Families may suffer religious and/or racial harassment sufficient in frequency and seriousness to undermine parenting capacity. In responding to concerns about children in the family, full account needs to be taken of this context and every reasonable effort made to end the harassment.