May 2008
Review: May 2010
County Durham Youth Offending Service
Working with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller
Communities
Information and Best Practice Guide
IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Conducted by Keith Appleton & Claire Holt
14th May 2008
Contacts:
Keith Appleton
Policy & Performance Team Leader
County Durham Youth Offending Service - CDYES
(Telephone 0191 3834699)
Ethnic Minority Traveller Achievement Service – EMTAS
(Telephone 01740 656998)
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1. Introduction
This guide aims to provide Practitioners with essential information and to outline best
practice for working with young people and families from the Gypsy, Roma and
Traveller communities.
It is vital staff recognise that when working with Gypsy, Traveller and Roma
communities, each individual has different needs and requirements that affect the
way we operate, and that we must not treat everyone the same.
2. Definitions
‘Traveller’ is a generic term that covers a number of minority groups. The customs,
traditions and languages of those minority groups are as extensive as those in
‘settled’ communities.
The term ‘Traveller’ could be used to mean the following minority groups:
English Gypsies / The Romanies or
‘Romanichals’*
Welsh Gypsies / Kale*
Roma / Romanis*
Irish Travellers / Minceir*
Scottish Travellers / Nachins*
Descendants of the Romanies known as
‘Egyptians’ that came to England and
South Wales during the 16th and 17th
centuries
Descendants of the Woods and other
families who migrated from the South
West of England to Wales during the 16th
and 17th centuries
Descendants of coppersmiths
(Kalderdash) and Hungarian Gypsies
who have come to England during the
20th century
A nomadic group from Ireland, a majority
of the estimated 8000 living in trailers.
A nomadic group from Scotland, which
could number as many as 2000 may visit
England each year
Staff need to be aware of other groups that are often categorised under the term of
‘Gypsy and Travellers’:
Fairground Families
Circus Families
New Travellers
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Fairground families tend to own or rent
winter quarters, which act as their base
and to which they return after travelling
during the year. There are 3 small
wintering sites in Durham for such
families.
Circus families are highly nomadic and
travel throughout the year without a
winter base. Circus families either seek
school places in Durham schools or are
supported in the EMTAS mobile
classroom.
New Travellers espouse new age beliefs,
and tend to travel between music
festivals and fairs in Britain. Their
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Review: May 2010
transport and homes consists of vans,
lorries, buses and caravans converted
into mobile homes. A small number
continue to travel in the country today.
Bargee families live on boats and travel
carrying cargo for a living.
Families are brought up on boats and
have a nomadic lifestyle similar to that of
Fairground or Circus families.
Source: ‘Moving On – The Gypsies and Travellers of Britain’ D Kenrick / C Clark*
It is important to recognised that housed or settled Gypsies, Roma or Travellers do
not ‘lose’ their ethnicity, ethnic identify, customs or traditions and may become mobile
at any time after extended periods of settlement.
3. Race Legislation
Gypsy, Roma and Travellers of Irish Heritage are defined in law as ethnic groups and
are protected by race relations legislation.
Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000
The act came into force in April 2001 and ensures that due regard is given to:
 eliminate unlawful racial discrimination
 promote equal opportunities and
 promote good relations between people of different racial groups
This guide provides information regarding how staff can ensure that their work with
young people and families from Travelling backgrounds meets the requirements of
relevant race relation legislation.
4. Tackling racist incidents
The actions and information contained within the guide aims to ensure that all staff
provide a service to young people, families and communities that takes account of
individual needs and requirements.
It is recognised that society may hold mistaken or stereotypical perception about
particular ethnic groups, particularly the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. A
2003 MORI survey found that one in three people openly admits personal prejudice
against Gypsies and Travellers.
It is the responsibility of staff to tackle these mistaken perceptions which may include
the following statements:



‘They are so dirty’
‘Their children are so unruly’
‘They don’t have our values and
morals’


‘They are thieves and thugs’
‘They are all criminals’
Practice: Staff have a duty to challenge all forms of racisms and report all racist
incidents. Staff should ensure that a Report of Equality or Hate Incident (see
appendix 2) is complete in all instances.
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5. Recording ethnicity
Recording ethnicity enables effective planning of services. However, some young
people and their families may be reluctant to declare their correct ethnicity for a
variety of reasons. Gaining their trust is vital so explain why it is needed and used.
Practice: Careworks (Management Information System) has the facility to record
Gypsy, Roma or Traveller ethnicity on the personal details screen within the target
group field.
6. Literacy
Some members of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community may experience
literacy difficulties. Literacy difficulties can be experienced by both young and old,
sometimes due to disrupted education whilst travelling.
Practitioners working with young people from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller may
need to relay complex and lengthy information to young people and parents/ carers.
Practice: Due to potential difficulties in communicating complex issues with young
people / parents / carers via letters or reports, it is essential that staff provide follow
up phone calls and contacts, in relevant cases, to ensure that relevant information is
understood, and that queries or concerns are addressed.
7. Customs and Traditions
Nomadism
Many Gypsies, Roma and Travellers lead a nomadic lifestyle, which may also
provide the means to make a living. Gypsies and Travellers may from time to time
settle in a house or a trailer on an official site, though being housed does not mean
individuals lose their identity and are no longer Gypsy, Roma or a Traveller.
As part of Gypsy and Traveller culture, stability, support and security are not provided
by locality, land or property, but by family and the community.
Practice: Young people and families may travel outside of the county for extended
periods of time. This should be considered when writing PSRs and making
recommendations to the court. For example, ISSP may not be appropriate due to the
difficulties in monitoring. It is vital that practitioners obtain details from parents /
carers re. the dates and reasons for intended travel.
In addition, full consideration to transfer cases to other YOTs must be made in line
with the Regional YJB Case Transfer Policy in appropriate cases.
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Maintenance of extended family network
Gypsy and Traveller families tend to maintain an extensive family network where
children grow up in large, close knit communities surrounded by grandparents, aunts,
uncles, cousins and siblings provide care, support and education for the children and
young people.
Self education
Self education is an important element in the education of children and young people
from the Gypsy and Traveller community. It is traditional for Travellers to educate
their children with their own specialised skills, for example, learning the family
business or trade. Formal schooling is viewed as only part of a child’s education.
Children may be encouraged from an early age to understand and handle money and
may have their own possessions such as livestock (poultry / ponies) that can be
exchanged or sold.
Practice: Staff working with young people from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller
communities must ensure that the young person accesses ‘full-time’ education,
training and employment (YJB Key Performance Indicator).
Some Gypsy, Roma and Traveller families may be reluctant to engage with
mainstream education, training and employment, due to an emphasis on self
education.
Staff must remain sensitive to the tradition of self-education, whilst promoting
statutory education in appropriate cases.
It is recommended that links be established, at an early stage, with the Ethnic
Minority Traveller Achievement Team (Telephone 01740 656998) to promote
engagement in education.
Shared Language
Gypsies and Travellers have their own language, particularly those of Romany and
Celtic heritage, though for most families this does not constitute their first language.
Very few English Romanies speak their language compared with those of European
origin.
Practice:
Staff should be aware that Gypsies and Travellers, particularly elder members of the
community, may use their own language to communicate privately to each other
whilst in the presence of individuals outside of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller
community.
Strict customs of cleanliness and chastity
Gypsies and Travellers have strict customs of chastity or modesty, for example this
may include a reluctance to discuss sexual issues or to discuss women's health
issues in the presence of men.
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In addition, a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller woman should not be on her own with
another man, especially one from the settled community.
Practice: Staff must be sensitive to the customs of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers
and be sensitive to the fact that parent / carers may not like their children to receive
sex education and are unlikely to discuss issues such as puberty, contraception and
pregnancy with their children at home. Staff should seek the views of Parents /
Carers before proceeding with any intervention.
Staff should ensure male members of staff do not meet alone with Gypsy and
Traveller women.
Cleanliness
Practice: Staff should also be aware that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller families have
strict household rules regarding cleanliness and should be conscious of this whilst
meeting with individuals in their own homes.
8. Further information
Further information and advice can be obtained via contacting the following Services:
Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service – 01740 656998
Traveller Liaison Service – 0191 3708717
Further Reading:
Here to Stay: Colin Clarke and Jean Whitehead
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Appendix 1
Working with Gypsy and Traveller Communities - Implication for Staff
The actions and information contained within the guide aims to ensure that all staff
provide a service to young people, families and communities that takes account of
individual needs and requirements and that practitioners recognise that
characteristics vary from person to person – community to community.
Tackling Racist incidents
Staff have a duty to challenge racisms and report all racist incidents. All staff should
ensure that a Report of an Equality or Hate Incident (see appendix 2) is complete in
all instances. Case managers must also ensure that perceptions and stereotypes do
not affect practice (e.g. PSR writing, assessment etc).
Recording Ethnicity
Careworks (Management Information System) has the facility to record Gypsy, Roma
or Traveller ethnicity on the personal details screen within the target group field.
Literacy
It is essential that staff provide follow up phone calls and contacts to both young
people and parents / carers, where relevant, to ensure that information is understood
and queries or concerns addressed.
Travelling
Young people and families may travel outside of the county for extended periods of
time. This should be considered when writing PSRs and making recommendations
to the court. For example, ISSP may not be appropriate due to the difficulties in
monitoring. It is vital that practitioners obtain details from parents / carers re. the
dates and reasons for intended travel.
In addition, full consideration to transfer cases to other YOTs must be made in line
with CDYES Case Transfer Policy in appropriate cases.
Education
Gypsy / Travellers families may be reluctant to engage with mainstream education,
training and employment. Staff must remain sensitive to the tradition of selfeducation, whilst promoting statutory education in appropriate cases.
Staff should consider contacting the Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement
Service (Telephone 01740 656998) at an early stage in appropriate cases.
Gender Issues
Staff must be sensitive to the fact that parent / carers may not wish for their children
to receive sex education and are unlikely to discuss issues such as puberty,
contraception and pregnancy with their children at home. The views of parents /
carers must be sought before proceeding with any intervention.
Home Visits
Should ensure male members of staff do not meet alone with Gypsy and Traveller
women
Staff should also be aware that Gypsy and Traveller families may have strict
household rules regarding cleanliness and should be conscious of this whilst meeting
with individuals in their own homes.
Additional information and advice is available by contacting Ethnic Minority
Traveller Achievement Service – EMTAS on Telephone 01740 656998
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Appendix 2
Report of a Equality or Hate Incident
This form replaces the previous ‘Racist Incident’ reporting form. Please record as
much information as possible, please use additional sheets if appropriate.
SECTION ONE – Service details
Recording Officer
Contact details:
Section/Service
Date
Time
SECTION TWO – Victim details
Name
Date of birth/Age
Gender
Employee or Service User
Ethnic origin
Religion or belief
Disability
Sexuality
SECTION THREE – Incident details
Date
Time
Location – including postcode:
Category – tick all applicable : Additional details:
Assault / attack
Graffiti
Arson
Malicious call
Verbal abuse
Threatening behaviour
Written/printed material
Criminal damage
other - specify
SECTION FOUR – Perpetrator details
Is the identity of the perpetrator(s) known?
Yes / No
How many involved?
Name(s)
Date of birth/Age
Employee or Service User
Gender
Religion or belief
Ethnic origin
Sexuality
Disability
Admitted to incident
Yes / No
SECTION FIVE – Witness details
Name
Date of birth/Age
Gender
Employee or Service User
Ethnic origin
Religion or belief
Disability
Sexuality
SECTION SIX – Action taken
Please provide details of action taken, by whom and any further action required:
The incident related to:
Race
Disability
Gender/Transgender
Age
Sexuality
Religion or belief
Other - specify
Please include details of Victim/Perpetrator response to the action taken if known:
Reporting Officer - Date report sent to line manager:
Line Manager – Name:
Date approved:
A completed copy should be sent marked ‘Confidential’ to: Equality & Diversity Team –
Corporate Services, County Hall or email equalities@durham.gov.uk. For further information
or advice email the team or telephone 0191 3834689 or County Hall extension 4689. Reports
sent to the Equality & Diversity Team are for monitoring purposes only.
Date received by E&D team:
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