Barriers to career development for black and minority eithnic NHS support workers

Since 2002 NHS North-West has provided support workers with the opportunity to undertake assistant practitioner training subject to available posts and success in the selection procedures. Although 25-30% of support workers identify as BME, their representation on the Trainee Assistant Practitioner programme is less than 2%. Lack of access to progression opportunities has an impact on staff well-being and productivity which in turn affects care delivery.The Obstacle Course: Barriers to Career Development for Black and Minority Ethnic NHS Support Workers by Sarah Rutherford is an exploration of the obstacles to health care support staff applying for the Assistant Practitioner Programme.The findings fall under 5 key themes:Lack of information about opportunitiesLack of transparency about recruitmentRace and discriminationfear of getting into troubleA need for role modelsFurther information is detailed in the summary document and the full paper attached.