Understand the issues facing Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities
Bullying
Racism and racist bullying can be very distressing for young people. It can cause upset and harm and be emotionally and mentally damaging for those involved. Open discussion around this is therefore very important. If you become aware that a young person is experiencing racism, racist bullying or is perpetrating racist ideas/ stereotypes, you need to know how to tackle it.
Listen to what a young person is telling you. Young people need to be supported to speak out if they think someone is deliberately targeting them. They need to feel comfortable to come and tell you or another trusted adult in school.
(Note, bullying is characterised as deliberate, targeted and repeated harmful behaviour).
Likewise, parents of Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller children and young people may have their own negative experiences of racist bullying at school. Work with young people and their families to ensure that they understand your approach to racism and/or bullying. Remember that for some Roma young people/families, English may not be their first language and as a result, there may be language barriers to consider.
Being bullied and experiencing socially exclusion from their peers can make young people anxious and unable to interact with other their peers or adults. Encourage young people to value differences by modelling positive attitudes, behaviours and messages about differences amongst us all. Please note that racist bullying may amount to unlawful discrimination or harassment under the Equality Act, depending on the circumstances.
Helpful resources on responding to bullying and racism can be found here:
Low attendance
Romani Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller pupils have the highest rate of absence of any ethnic group. Persistent absenteeism is often an early indication that adverse factors are causing a young person to not want to attend school such as racist bullying. When parents feel their children are not safe or learning, they are more likely to remove their children from school.
There may also be a lack of understanding from Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller parents regarding the legalities of school attendance, particularly for European Roma parents who may not be familiar with the education system in the UK.
All schools and settings will have their own procedures for managing attendance issues. Encourage parents and families to have open conversations with you about what is preventing their child/ young person from attending school.
You can find more information on school attendance on The Traveller Movement’s Education Microsite:
Low attainment
There is a direct link between low attendance and low attainment. On average, pupils with higher absence over key stage 4 (Year 10 to Year 11) had lower GCSE attainment in 2019. You can find more information about this below:
Why is School Attendance so Important and What are the Risks of Missing a Day? – Department of Education
Research has shown that there are many other factors to low educational attainment for racially minoritised and disadvantaged young people including:
- Lack of representation and a culturally relevant curriculum
- Unmet needs including special educational needs (SEND) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH)
- Teacher stereotypes/bias which can be evident in teacher assessment such as predicted grades
- Lack of options/ routes related to traditional employment for Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Traveller communities.
To learn more about these issues, read the Runnymede Trust’s reporting:
Criminal justice involvement
Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish Traveller communities are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Some parents may not understand the legalities relating to school attendance and this may lead to unintentional non-compliance with the Law.
If the Local Authority is not satisfied that the parents are providing a suitable education to a young person of compulsory school age, and it is appropriate for the young person to attend school, they can apply for a School Attendance Order under Section 437(3) Education Act 1996. The order will require parents to register the child at a named school. Failure to comply with a School Attendance Order amounts to an offence, following non-compliance the parent can be prosecuted. Please note that Local Authorities must act reasonably and proportionately when taking enforcement action.
To find out more about School Attendance Orders, please see the UK Government’s Guidance below:
School Attendance and Absence –UK Government
Recent changes to the law now require all young people in England to continue in education or training until at least their 18th birthday. This doesn’t mean they have to stay on at school. They can leave on the last Friday in June if they will be 16 by the end of the summer holidays. They may then do one of the following until they are 18:
- stay in full-time education, for example at a college
- start an apprenticeship
- start a training course
- spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training.
Parental involvement in the criminal justice system, and imprisonment can have a huge impact on young people’s mental health and wellbeing. If a young person has a parent in prison, establish how the parent’s absence has been explained to them and maintain a consistent approach. You should agree with the main carer how you will respond to any questions raised about their imprisoned parent.
Keep an eye on the young person’s behaviour and respond appropriately to any displays of distressed behaviour.
