ACERT EC 12th September 2024

Discussion

CAF Bank £7139.92

PayPal £  614.52

TOTAL £7754.44

Purchases this month CleanTalk $29.16 USD

Action

No action

Discussion

1.     From Head Teacher Peter Johnson asking ACERT’s opinion on the use of the T code and the new DfE definition of mobility in attendance guidance as being ‘of no fixed abode’. Brian replied and put information  on the ACERT website.  

2.     From Florence Bass flo@littlevenicestudios.com seeking contact details for Natasha Malik in connection with a documentary about inspiring women with Stacey Dooley. Margaret forwarded the request to the EC. 

3.     Dee Cooper sent a link to an article in Travellers Times https://www.facebook.com/share/p/uBFEx7gR9iwasmeG/?

4.     From Peter Henderson Peter.henderson@youthendowmentfund.org.uk  looking to recruit a Race equity associate from a Gypsy, Roma and/or Traveller background at the YEF. Margaret forwarded it to the EC and to the Education Network group. 

5.     From Marci Whittingham m.whittingham@knowledgeexchange.group to Brian asking for contributions to a digital conference in October on Children Missing Education. Brian forwarded the email to the EC. 

6.     Equality and Human Rights Commission <email@communication.equalityhumanrights.com consultation on 3 year plan.

7.     Candace Thomas shared information about a possible funding source. https://www.kccf.org.uk/small-grants/  Also a letter to Bridget Phillipson requesting a meeting. The letter was drafted by Emma Nuttall and ACERT and others involved in the Schools Pledge countersigned it. Emma has since circulated a response : a holding letter. 

8.     John Wilson shared the trailer for a new documentary film, Who We Were about the richness of Romany Culture. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7220836988583587840-foM4?utm_source=combined_share_message&utm_medium=member_desktop

9.     From Fernando Ruiz Molina fernando.ruizmolina@plymouth.ac.uk , a Roma researcher and human rights lawyer from Spain, currently pursuing my PhD in Criminology in Plymouth seeking community members to interview. Margaret forwarded it and wrote to thank him. Margaret suggests ACERT Follow up with Fernando. 

10.  From Petr Torak regarding plans for Baripen – Roma Archive and Cultural Centre. Margaret contacted Petr and he will speak about the project at the Education network on September 25.

11.  From Hazel Marsh asking ACERT to support a funding application by Becky Taylor at UEA  for an in-person workshop in London. The aim is to better recognise, resource and teach histories of the UK’s Gypsy, Traveller and Roma populations. Hazel will draft a letter from ACERT.

Action

1. On agenda

9. Thomas Acton to contact to Fernando Ruiz Molina.

6. Siobhan to revisit EHRC consultation.

2. Brian

Discussion

The reference to “no-fixed-abode” comes from the original legislation and has always been interpreted as referring to the situation the “Traveller” when they are travelling. The removal of the names of the ethnic groups from the Attendance Guidance has resulted in head teachers interpreting it as referring the homeless rather than nomadic families. Showmen say they are being questioned more about the permanence of their yards.

Priority to keep unauthorised absence down. Schools are required to follow the guidance.

Action

• Raise it on the stakeholder group. But no clarity about when it will meet.
• Raise it at the Education Network meeting (25th September 2024).

Discussion

Our tender for the research project ‘The lived experiences of Roma people’ is now live!

You can find it under: Provision of Research into the Lived Experiences of Roma People – Find a Tender (find-tender.service.gov.uk) .
The link explains how to access the bid pack documents and get signed up on the supplier portal so you can submit your bid.

If you are interested in submitting a bid, please make sure to contact Sophie Keal at sophie.keal@ons.gov.uk so that she can add you to the project and make sure that you have access.

Thomas is sceptical there isn’t already a preferred candidate. He would be reluctant to propose it to any Rom such as Petr Torak or Juice Vamoos.

Action

Thomas was encouraged to follow it up.

Discussion

Candace said that Marie Bowers and Aluna Lepadatu are both interested in joining the EC. Thomas and Siobhan have suggested Sally Barter and Margaret understands Jolene Chisolm would like to know more.

Candace suggested we should designate an existing EC member to talk to each one about the responsibilities of being an EC member and a Trustee (all EC members are trustees.)

Brian pointed out that our Constitution requires that EC members have been members of ACERT for at least 3 months, but that meetings are open to all members, and voting rarely occurs. Aspirants can sit in for a couple of months before officially becoming EC members, trustees and having a vote. The maximum number of EC members is 13.

No date was set for the AGM because we have yet to set dates for EC meetings. Thursday is inconvenient for at least 3 EC members. Monday is the only date where there are no clashes (excluding Friday).

Action

Candance to approach Marie Bowers and Aluna Lepadatu. Siobhan to approach Sally Barter. Lisa has said she will talk to Jolene, but if she hasn’t time, Candance or Margaret could.

Anne will write to the EC to try to establish a regular monthly meeting day and time. Once we have these we can propose an AGM date.

Discussion

The following letter has been received by three EC members.

Dear ACERT

Apologies if you receive this e mail twice, I am having problems with my e mail.

We are writing to you to ask that you assist the Gypsy and Traveller communities in being able to keep our children safe in schools, over the past couple of years problems have occurred due to the compulsory PHSE both at primary level and at secondary level.

As we start a new term in September many children will be missing from education as parents consider they are not safe within  school settings.

Childhood is important and children should not be robbed of their innocence, many of us within the Education and Safeguarding group have had to visit schools and undertake  a review on teaching materials, some of these reviews have resulted in formal complaints with actions. Two of these recognised as a formal complaint were held to be of concern and apologies issued.

We uncovered some very bad practice and age-inappropriate materials, we  will not be sending the children  to school until this has been addressed.

We are also concerned about the type of books that have found themselves onto school library shelves so we would like  ACERT to take this up at the highest level before the percentage of Gypsy and Traveller children attendances drop further.

Who is responsible for supplying the school libraries, and who is responsible for safeguarding in relation to being age appropriate and being a good quality book?

We understand the ‘Keep Children Safe in Education guidelines’ has been published this week (02.09.2024) and as the new school term is due to start we would appreciate a timely response.

The National Women and Education Safeguarding Group.

Secretary: Claire Orchard

ACERT has already visited this issue in connection with a request from Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group to co-sign a letter to MPs ahead of a Westminster Hall debate on petitions relating to LGBT materials should be in classrooms. “On that occasion it was decided that ACERT did not have a consistent view on these issues and while we were all free to sign the letter in individual capacities, we could not do so as an organisation.”

The EC were concerned that parents felt unable to send their children to school and would be happy to take up any case where there is clear evidence that the Guidance is not being followed or where headteachers have been unwilling to engage with the anxieties of parents. If there are concerns about specific materials we would need to know where they are in use and the age group and context.

We are also aware that this is an issue which has become more widespread, and parents may have received information on-line which is misleading or untrue. There were some concerns that the materials are copyrighted or confidential, but there is no reason why they cannot be shared.

Siobhan had shared evidence in March on two cases which were concerning. She reported that her complaint to school was upheld relating to an age-inappropriate sex education presentation and gender identity issues.

ACERT could take the issue to the Education Stakeholder group but at the moment no meeting is scheduled, and it would need a more comprehensive briefing with evidence of materials being used in specific classrooms and complaints by parents not being satisfactorily resolved.

Siobhan suggested a workshop in which the ACERT EC could have the opportunity to hear first hand the experiences of parents and try to identify ways in which we might help resolve the issues.

Action

Evidence needs to be compiled in terms of a actual families, the materials used, what has been done.

Brian will draft and share a response to Claire Evans.