Black children in care: Health, Hair and Skin

About the authors

Denise Lewis [Social Worker] and Flora Awolaja [Teacher], are two professional women,qualified in the field of Social Care and Education. As a qualified Social Worker and Teacher,we have 20 years of varied knowledge and experience between us, of working with Children and Families in Local Authorities in and around England. During our educational development,we have been able to develop a critical perspective on good Child-Care practice, and have become independent inquirers; our ethos has always been Child-Centred and Child Focused. We aim to Empower, Educate, and Inspire Black/Mixed Heritage children to create a positive environment in regards to their Health, Hair, and Skin Care.

Our project is set up to work in a multi-agency framework, engaging with Local Authorities, and other agencies such as Action for Children, The Children Society, and Fostering and Adoption agencies.

 

 

About the book

Black Children in Care book’:

We have designed and written a 70 page book titled ‘Black Children in Care: Health, Hair and Skin’ designed to address the lack of information that persists with the care of Black children in Cross Cultural Fostering and Adoption placements: The book as a resource is:

• Empowering, Innovative & Child Centred,
• User friendly, Colourful, Fun and Informative
• It has positive images of Black children.

The book allows us to give Social Workers, and other social care agencies, such as Local Government, Action for Children, Barnados, NSPCC, and Foster Carers and Adopters of Black children, the information that they may need about, the care of Black Hair, Health and skin whilst the children

are in care.

Our research has shown that there is limited information around the Health, Hair and Skin care of Black and Mixed Heritage children in care. The purpose of the book is to provide child focussed book on how to care for Black and Mixed Heritage children’s Health, hair and skin whilst in care. The number of black children/people who will benefit from this project will possibly number several hundred, their ages range from birth to 18 years.

Foster carers and Adopters will also benefit from this book, and all carers who will care for Black and Mixed heritage. It would serve as a means of empowering foster carers/ adopters to be proactive in the welfare of the Hair and Skin of Black and Mixed heritage children.

In terms of their needs ‘Hair is critical to a strong sense of racial identity for Black Children’ as well as understand the cultural aspects and gain knowledge of the importance of grooming, moisturising, and caring for black hair.

 

Our book will be of use to schools, and voluntary organisations, in providing cultural information on the welfare of Black and Mixed Heritage children in relation to their, Health, Hair, and Skin care.