An exploration of training and support issues for those working with children, young people and families from Traveller, Irish Traveller, Gypsy, Roma and show people communities

Author: Anne Wilkin, Kay Kinder, Kerry Martin, et al.

Institution: National Foundation for Educational Research (Commissioned by CWDC)

Full reference: National Foundation for Educational Research (2008). An Exploration of Training and Support Issues for Those Working with Children, Young People and Families from Traveller, Irish Traveller, Gypsy, Roma and Show People Communities. Leeds: CWDC.

This research project was commissioned by the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) to explore the range of issues around working with Travellers, Irish Travellers, Gypsies, Roma and Showpeople, as well as the support and training available to staff involved.

The research was conducted between November 2007 and July 2008. It was divided into main stages: a literature review; and a further investigation of current practice and training (the focus of the main project report and the thematic summary). The investigative study included 20 telephone interviews and six in-depth case-study visits.

Findings confirmed

Some key findings in the literature review were confirmed in this study. The importance was emphasised for practice of:

• developing outreach work with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) families
• adopting a family-centred approach
• ensuring flexibility of provision
• developing effective partnerships between providers
• overcoming strategic challenges of services managing competing remits and affording low priority to GRT communities
• considering the capacity implications of the fact that the majority of training continues to be provided by Traveller Education Support Services professionals.
• The findings from this study on these themes are expanded below.

New evidence. In the following areas, which are summarised below, a new body of evidence was gathered which adds substantially to previous research:

• strategic direction
• trust-building
• involving the GRT community
• skills, knowledge and attributes to work with GRT families
• multi-agency practice and training
• supporting other professionals
• types of learning opportunity
• ensuring the quality of training
• barriers and challenges to accessing training, information and support
• impacts of training.

Research questions & methodology

There were two main stages to the study. Firstly a literature review (produced in a separate report); and a further investigation of current practice and training (the focus of the main project report and of this thematic summary).

Secondly the investigative study included: 20 local authority telephone interviews; four interviews with representatives from national organisations who had an overview of training and development in England; and six case-study visits (involving interviews with up to five key people involved in training).

Go to the journal article.