Roma Migration and Local Responses: Bradford District: UK
Presented by: Jacqueline Ward
Bradford Education Service for New Communities and
Travellers: United Kingdom
Thursday 25th February 2010
Roma Migration and Local Responses: Bradford District: UK
Roma communities in the UK and in mainland Europe have been
subjected to centuries of persecution and discrimination.
Their needs are very similar to all other groups whether they are in the
UK or mainland Europe.
I will now outline my perception of the similarities and differences in
need.
Similarities: all communities need:
accommodation
health care
education/training
a feeling of safety and security
Roma Migration and Local Responses: Bradford District: UK
Differences: along with other groups in society who have experienced
prejudice and discrimination Roma families need:
Explicit high expectations
Protection by the legal system
An awareness by statutory and voluntary agencies of their
and historical background.
Roma Migration and Local Responses: Bradford District: UK
Interventions
Roma Migration and Local Responses: Bradford District: UK
Interventions in the Bradford District to support the Roma Communities are
based on entitlements under English Law e.g. school places and health care.
There are specialist projects to assist the Roma communities. However, the
task is to ensure that all statutory and voluntary agencies provide appropriate
responses
To facilitate this the following have been established
Multi – agency working Bradford Central and Eastern European Working Group
Consultation with the Roma Communities
Advice sessions to access the different Roma communities to statutory and
voluntary services
Welcome to Bradford booklet
Interpretation – point of access
Employment of members of the Roma communities
Roma Migration and Local Responses: Bradford District: UK
Training to Schools, Colleges, Health Workers, Social Services Staff and
other services to raise awareness of cultural and social factors affecting the
Roma Communities in England. DVDs produced: EU Migrant Worker Families
a Learning Experience and Education Today.
LACO Project for recent Central and Eastern European Migrants: gives
advice/guidance. Empowered the local Roma communities to establish a
community association.
Bradford Migrants Advocacy Forum.
Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month: Celebrating Achievement
Roma Migration and Local Responses: Bradford District: UK
Roma Migration and Local Responses: Bradford District: UK
Barriers to Social Inclusion
Language
Mobility
Housing Issues
Income ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’
Prejudice and Discrimination:
from existing communities
from other migrants
Unrealistic expectations of job opportunities
One way tickets from local authorities in some areas of home countries
Roma Migration and Local Responses: Bradford District: UK
Funding Responses
Include:
The New to English Contingency Grant: a one off payment of £500 per
child to schools admitting New to English Learners (conditions apply).
LACO project funded by the Health Service.
Migration Impact Fund: national government funding.
Standards Funding: Education Service for New Communities
Roma Migration and Local Responses: Bradford District: UK
Roma Migration and Local Responses: Bradford District: UK
Education Service for New Communities and Travellers
Education Bradford
Future House
Bolling Road
Bradford
BD4 7PS
T: 01274 385558
E: newcommunities.travellers@educationbradford.com