22.22 Racial and Religious Harassment
This chapter is currently under review.
Children and families from black or ethnic minority groups are likely to have experienced or are still experiencing 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.
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.
Other families may suffer religious and/or racial harassment sufficient in frequency and seriousness to undermine parenting capacity.
All agencies have a responsibility to recognise racial harassment. In responding to concerns about children in the family, every reasonable effort should be made to end the harassment.
Surrey Children's Services and the Police must respond effectively when incidents of racial harassment and attacks place a child at risk of significant harm. If it is believed that the source of the racial and/or religious harassment towards the child is from within the family then Child Protection Procedures should be followed.