BTEG: Every BME Child Matters

News Release
For Immediate Release

13 August 2007

A new guide to help black and minority ethnic Community Education Projects influence how local services for BME (black and minority ethnic) children and young people are delivered is published today by the Black Training & Enterprise Group’s Centre for Educational Success.

The pamphlet, Every BME Child Matters, details the important changes that are taking place at the local level for commissioners and providers of services to children and young people. Every BME Child Matters urges BME groups to get involved in local and national decision making to ensure that:
• the needs of BME children, young people and families are taken into consideration when funding and/or services are provided
• public authorities are held to accountable regarding their legal duties
• racial discrimination is tackled
• BME service providers are supported.

Jeremy Crook, OBE, Director of BTEG, said:
“Without greater involvement from BME groups, some local partnerships will continue to spend public money on services which do not meet the needs of BME children and young people or which fail to close the gaps between BME communities and the rest of the population.

“BME community education projects must work together locally to influence decision makers and improve educational outcomes for BME children and young people. We hope this guide will inspire more of you to get directly involved in making this happen”

Rosita Caspersz, Head of Education Policy at BTEG, said:
“We would like feedback from Community Education Providers for BME children and young people about how this Guide has helped them to make contact with decision makers and influenced the development of services in their local areas”.

Ends.


Notes to editors:
1. The Centre for Education Success (CES) was established by the Black Training & Enterprise Group (BTEG) in 2006 to provide a national voice for, and support to, BME organisations and groups working to improve educational outcomes for BME children and young people. The CES seeks to influence policy makers and education practitioners to develop education policy and performance to achieve improved outcomes for BME children.

2. BTEG is a high profile national organisation working to ensure fair access and outcomes for black communities in education, employment, economic regeneration and enterprise, and acts as a catalyst for enabling black groups and individuals to play an active role in their local communities through partnership with others'.

3. Contact:

Jeremy Crook or Rosita Caspersz
Director of BTEG Head of Education Policy - BTEG
Tel: Tel:
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