Learning about â–˜raceâ–™ and anti-racism: The experience of students on a diploma in Social Work programme

How has the background of criticism and debate surrounding CCETSW, Paper 30, and notions of â–˜political correctnessâ–™ affected the progress and confidence of DipSW students? In the sensitive area of â–˜raceâ–™, how well have they been prepared for anti-racist social work? This account of a small survey of one student cohort of a Diploma in Social Work programme addresses these questions from the perspective of the students themselves. It asks for their views on the anti-racist content of their programme and seeks to discover whether they share the commitment of the teaching team to anti-racist practice. It provides an insight into the nature and degree of the personal change and development brought about by this challenging aspect of professional education and training at a time of unprecedented change in social work and controversy in social work education.