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Race and racism in child safeguarding?

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It's silent.

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This is Marcus.

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Race shaped his experience of the world. 

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but the safeguarding system wasn’t set up to see that.

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Marcus witnessed his friend’s murder 

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and began wearing protective clothing. 

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Safeguarding professionals recognised he was at risk 

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but didn’t fully explore how his identity 

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as a Black teenage boy shaped his vulnerabilities. 

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They saw him as suspicious. 

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As older than he was.

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They wanted to help.

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But talking about race felt complicated. 

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Uncomfortable.

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So the cycle continued.

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Marcus needed the adults around him to delve further. 

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That starts with seeing him as a child first. 

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It’s important to challenge assumptions 

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about maturity and responsibility 

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especially with Black boys. 

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It also means acknowledging his race more deeply. 

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Speaking to children about how race and culture 

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shape their lived experience helps us understand their world.

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This requires recognising racial bias too. 

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Confronting biases in professional environments, 

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and in ourselves, can be difficult. 

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But open discussions are necessary for effective safeguarding.

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And finally, understanding the whole picture. 

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Considering how factors like race, poverty, mental health 

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and family circumstances intersect

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helps reveal a child's true vulnerabilities.

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Children like Marcus need more than our silence. 

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Addressing race and racism in safeguarding can be challenging, 

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but change is possible

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when we create safe spaces for discussion and reflection, 

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and commit to understanding each child’s full identity. 

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For more learning and guidance, 

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visit the CSPRP website and learning hub.