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Helping organisations to tackle community conflict and build cohesion

Gypsy and Traveller Communities

Effective service models in housing, health, education, and policing

Date: Wednesday 9th June 2010

Context

Gypsies and Travellers experience significant inequalities compared to the settled population and continue to be the focus of social tension and to be vilified in local and national media. The lack of suitable and secure accommodation is at the heart of the problem. The Government has set a target for local authorities to significantly increase the number of Gypsy and Traveller sites by 2011.

Gypsies and Travellers experience worse health, are less likely to receive effective, continuous healthcare, and are more likely to die earlier than the rest of the population.

There are high suicide rates among the communities and increasing substance misuse. Educational achievements are poor and declining still further, participation in secondary education is low. Racism towards Gypsies and Travellers is still common, frequently overt and seen as justified – trust and confidence in criminal justice agencies to protect their concerns and interests is low.

This practice-focused conference explores these issues and aims to provide:

Key themes and subjects

  • Planning permanent and transit sites
  • Effective site management
  • Dealing with unauthorised sites
  • Managing tensions between settled residents and Gypsy and Traveller communities
  • Working with the media and political leaders to challenge stereotypes and maintain community relations
  • Effective techniques for engagement, consultation and resident involvement
  • Promoting health services
  • Tackling mental health problems
  • Promoting family learning and literacy for Gypsies and Traveller communities
  • Educational attainment for young people from Gypsy and Traveller communities
  • Policing approaches to build trust and confidence within Gypsy and Traveller communities

Free resource

Download a summary of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report ‘Inequalities Experienced by Gypsy and Traveller communities’ published Winter 2009.



Programme contributors

  • Nicola Higgins, Gypsy and Traveller Unit, Communities and Local Government – progress report on Government target to increase provision of Gypsy and Traveller sites (invited)
  • Caroline Cormack, Head of the Gypsy and Traveller team, Homes and Communities Agency – summary of achievements and remaining challenges in delivering the Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant
  • David Bailey, Traveller and Diversity Manager, Fenland District Council, on positive engagement with Gypsy and Traveller communities over site provision
  • Charlie Gibbons, Estate Manager, Wolverhampton Homes, on holistic support and improving access for Gypsy and Traveller families into social housing provision
  • Janet Carden, Co-ordinator of the Gypsy and Traveller Health Improvement Project, Mid Essex Primary Care Trust, on promoting healthy lifestyles
  • Jazka Atterbury, Community Development Worker, Friends, Families and Travellers, on promoting well-being and mental health
  • Rose Wilson, Team for Traveller Education, Cambridgeshire County Council, on engaging with the Gypsy and Traveller community to use a family learning service
  • Inspector Mark Watson, Safer and Stronger Communities, Cheshire Constabulary, on effective liaison with Gypsy and Traveller communities to generate trust and confidence
  • Writer and broadcaster Simon Fanshawe in conversation with representatives from Gypsy and Traveller communities
  • Rose Palmer, Development Manager, Gypsies & Travellers, Supporting People Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, on a consultation model being developed through the Supporting People programme
  • Angie Emmerson, Traveller Strategy Officer, Hackney Homes, on the model for service design and delivery that’s been developed in Hackney
  • Phil Regan, London Development Officer, Irish Traveller Movement, on methods and approaches of effective engagement
  • Siobhan Spencer MBE, Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group, on good practice models for consultation

Facilitators

  • Gerard Lemos, Partner at Lemos&Crane; Jacqueline Bolton, Programme Development Manager, Gypsy & Traveller Children & Young People, Ormiston Children and Families Trust

Testimonials


Feedback from delegates at Lemos&Crane’s Working with Gypsies and Travellers for Community Cohesion

"It was one of the best events I have been to. I was inspired and can take ideas back." - Resident Involvement Manager, London Borough of Southwark

"Really enjoyed the day - and that's from someone who usually avoids conferences. Everything - from the sessions covered, to the welcome packs, to the lunch - was excellent. Well done!" - Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Officer, Norfolk County Council

"The day was very well structured especially with time for discussions at tables which was very useful indeed." - Area Manager, Richmond Fellowship

Read more testimonials here.















Programme

9.15

Registration

10.00

Introduction and context

  • Gerard Lemos, Partner at Lemos&Crane; Jacqueline Bolton, Programme Development Manager, Gypsy & Traveller Children & Young People, Ormiston Children and Families Trust (facilitators)
10.15

Effective site provision and management

National policy update

  • Caroline Cormack, Gypsy and Traveller Team Leader, Homes and Communities Agency
  • Nicola Higgins, Gypsy and Traveller Unit, Communities and Local Government
Good practice case study
  • David Bailey, Traveller and Diversity Manager, Fenland District Council
11.30

Refreshments

11.45

Engagement, consultation and service planning - panel discussion

  • Rose Palmer, Development Manager, Gypsies & Travellers, Supporting People RB of Kensington and Chelsea; Angie Emmerson, Traveller Strategy Officer, Hackney Homes; Siobhan Spencer MBE, Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group; and Phil Regan, London Development Officer, Irish Traveller Movement
12.30

Service Focus 1: Housing and Related Support

  • Charlie Gibbons, Estate Manager, Wolverhampton Homes
1.00 Lunch
1.45

Service Focus 2: Policing to generate trust and confidence

  • Inspector Mark Watson, Safer and Stronger Communities, Cheshire Constabulary
2.15

Service Focus 3: Health promotion and tackling mental health problems

  • Janet Carden, Co-ordinator of the Gypsy and Traveller Health Improvement Project, Mid Essex PCT
  • Jazka Atterbury, Community Development Worker, Friends, Families and Travellers, on promoting well-being and mental health
3.00

Service Focus 4: Education

  • Rose Wilson, Team for Traveller Education, Cambridgeshire County Council
3.30

Panel discussion: The experiences of Gypsies and Travellers

  • Writer and broadcaster Simon Fanshawe in conversation with representatives from Gypsy and Traveller communities about their experience of core service provision
4.15 Departures


Who should attend?

Representatives from local authorities, social landlords, police services, primary care trusts and other commissioners and providers of services to Gypsies and Travellers including:

  • Planning Directors and Officers
  • Housing Directors and Officers
  • Traveller Liaison Officers
  • Police Officers
  • Homeless Support and Resettlement Officers
  • Planning Enforcement Officers
  • Social Inclusion Managers
  • Adult, Children and Family Service Managers and Workers
  • Community Development and Cohesion Officers
  • Race Relations and Equality Officers
  • Environmental Health Officers
  • Community Safety and Legal Officers
  • Policy Officers
  • Those working in Education

Who attended?

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