Race Equality in Social Service Departments (Research Projects covering 1980-1986)

Scope and Content

The study covers the period 1980-1986. The papers are stored in one archival box and are sorted into twelve folders. Folder one contains contextual information; folders two to twelve contains 105 interview transcripts organised by local authority.

Administrative / Biographical History

This collection of research projects examined race issues at policy and practice levels at a time when most social services departments were just beginning to recognise that there were issues to be addressed. The research focused on how departments reviewed policies and practices (relating both to service delivery and employment); how they attempted to implement and monitor change; and the role played by black and white staff at many different levels. The first project was part of a larger study of local authority change, and case study authorities were chosen to be in some sense 'representative' of areas with substantial Asian and/or Caribbean populations. Later projects concentrated attention on departments which were actively pursuing change.

Access Information

By written application to either the Librarian or Deputy Librarian. A letter of introduction may be required and prospective users will be obliged to sign an undertaking outlining the terms and conditions of access to the research materials.

Note

Entry compiled by John Southall of Qualidata, UK Data Archive, University of Essex using entries from the NSPSCA information pack and Qualidata's online catalogue.

Record entered by Nadeem Ahmad of Qualidata, UK Data Archive, University of Essex.

Other Finding Aids

A collection level record for all paper based materials in the data collection is available via Qualidata's online catalogue, Qualicat.

Conditions Governing Use

No part of the NSPSCA collections may be reproduced, published, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Albert Sloman Library. This may be obtained by application to the Librarian or Deputy Librarian.

Confidentiality: The materials held in the collection contain personal and identifying information. It is essential that the privacy of all respondents is not infringed. No real names or any other identifiable information used in the studies may appear in public. No attempt may be made to contact respondents directly. Use of the materials to derive information relating specifically to an identified individual or to claim to have done so is prohibited.

Appraisal Information

In consultation with academic colleagues, the library special collections acquisitions staff evaluate collections by assessing their relevance to the teaching and research interests of the University.

Custodial History

The collection was acquired and prepared for archiving by Qualidata in 1997 and deposited in the NSPSCA.

Accruals

Additional material is not expected

Related Material

Quantitative data arising from the survey are deposited at the UK Data Archive.

Bibliography

Young, K., and Connelly, N. (1981) 'Policy and Practice in the Multi-Racial City', (Policy Studies Institute) Connelly, N. (1981) 'Social Service Provision in Multi-Racial Areas', (Policy Studies Institute) Connelly, N. (1985) 'Social Services Departments and Race', (Policy Studies Institute) Connelly, N. (1989) 'Race and Change in Social Services Departments', (Policy Studies Institute)

Additional Information

National Social Policy and Social Change Archive (NSPSCA), Albert Sloman Library, University of Essex