Why Black History Month is so important to adult social care

Dudley Sawyerr is a care consultant and business strategist at People Care Services, in addition to being the Co-chair of Skills for Care’s Race Equity Reference Group. In this article, Dudley is talking to us about the importance of Black History Month to and in adult social care.

As someone deeply involved in adult social care, Black History Month is not just a celebration — it's a crucial time for reflection, education and transformation. It serves as a reminder that the history and contributions of Black people must be recognised, appreciated, and integrated into the care we provide every single day, not just during one month of the year.

At its core, adult social care is about supporting people to live their lives fully and independently. However, when we examine the demographic landscape of those who access care and support, particularly in the UK, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that many people delivering care services are from minority backgrounds, including the Black community. Yet, the experiences, stories and legacies of these individuals often go untold or are underappreciated.

Statistics show that while 26% of the adult social care workforce is comprised of individuals from Black, Asian, or minoritised ethnic backgrounds, managerial roles remain predominantly occupied by non-representative demographics, with only 17% in registered manager roles. For me, Black History Month represents an opportunity to rectify this oversight.

This year’s theme for Black History Month is “Reclaiming Narratives,” and marks a significant shift towards recognising and correcting the narratives of Black history and culture.

It also provides a platform to highlight not only the historical injustices faced by Black people, including the people in our care, but also their resilience, achievements and the wealth of cultural richness they bring into our communities and care settings. This knowledge is essential to offering holistic and compassionate care.

I often think about the older Black and other ethnic background people we support and their lived experiences. Many of them were part of the Windrush Generation, who came to the UK with hope and optimism, yet faced harsh realities of discrimination and systemic inequality. These are not abstract historical events but the lived experiences of a generation of people, many of whom are now in our care system, and it is important to showcase their untold success stories and the full complexity of Black heritage.

By educating ourselves and our teams about Black history, we are not just improving cultural competency, but we are also fostering a deeper sense of empathy and understanding. When staff are aware of the historical context of the people they care for, they are better equipped to provide that person with care that acknowledges and respects each individual’s unique background. I often refer to this kind of awareness in care settings as ‘culture-centred care’. To me, this type of care goes right down to the essential aspects of a person’s history and character – what kind of food are they used to? How do they style their hair? What clothes do they typically wear?

Black History Month also allows us to address issues that are still prevalent in the care sector today. Racial disparities in health and social care are well-documented, with Black individuals often facing worse outcomes and receiving less equitable care. This month is an important time to advocate for systemic change that ensures fair treatment, equal access to services and the provision of culturally orientated care that meets the needs of all individuals, regardless of race.

One thing that strikes me during Black History Month is how important it is to celebrate and amplify the voices of Black care workers who make an immense contribution to the social care workforce. Recognising their role in the sector and working towards creating a more inclusive environment is critical for the future of social care.

For me, Black History Month is about learning, reflecting and taking action. That’s why I’m so glad to be involved in a number of projects that are taking decisive steps to help address the challenges experienced by Black and other minoritised people in social care. In particular, I’d like to highlight Skills for Care’s Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard (SC-WRES) and Moving Up programmes. These programmes are helping our sector become more aware of its inequality through data-driven insights and supporting minoritised people to strive for better outcomes in their careers.

In adult social care, where our focus is on improving the quality of life for some of the most vulnerable members of our society, understanding the cultural and historical context of those we care for is not just beneficial—it’s essential. Black History Month reminds us that the care we give is about more than meeting physical needs; it's about honouring identities, histories and the rich tapestry of experiences that shape who we are #ReclaimingNarratives

Check out our Black History Month feature page for more information.

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