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The Racial Justice Family Network (RJFN) is a collaborative network of individuals and organisations focused on promoting anti-racist initiatives and practices throughout the family justice system, to address systemic discrimination and inequality. It actively works to identify and challenge the policies, behaviours, and beliefs that perpetuate racist ideas and actions.
An event on 20 November in London, marked the official launch of the Racial Justice Family Network. Originally hosted by Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, the RJFN is now hosted by CoramBAAF. The programme of speakers featured The Honourable Mr Justice Keehan and Jahnine Davis, the newly appointed National Kinship Care Ambassador. As well as a panel comprising a family law barrister, a Designated Family Judge, a strategic anti-racist lead, and social work managers within local authorities.
The launch event was an opportunity for attendees to explore the challenges and opportunities in promoting anti-racist practice within the family court and hear from different perspectives. The event aimed to inspire actionable strategies to address racial inequities and strengthen anti-racist practice across family justice.
Augusta Itua, Legal Consultant at CoramBAAF and Chair of the RJFN, says: “The launch of the Racial Justice Family Network marks a crucial step toward embedding anti-racist practices within the family justice system. By bringing together voices from social work, law, academia, and those with lived experience, RJFN is creating a space to not only discuss but actively address the structural inequities that impact Black, Global Majority, and other ethnically minoritised children and families.”
The Racial Justice Family Network will focus on promoting anti-racist and anti-discriminatory initiatives and practices throughout the family justice system, to address systemic discrimination, racism and inequities. The goal of RJFN is to improve outcomes for Black and ethnically minoritised children, families and professionals.
RJFN endorses the Family Justice Board Quality Circle’s Family Court Anti-Racist Practice Statement and Creating a Culture of Respect.
Drawing on the latest research and evidence-informed practice, RJFN aims to advance a comprehensive understanding of how racism is limiting the choices and opportunities that are available to some children and families. It aims to equip the family justice system and professionals with the knowledge, values, and skills needed to build on opportunities for transformative change.
Dr Beverley Barnett-Jones, Associate Director at Nuffield Family Justice Observatory and one of the founders of RJFN, says: “It has been an honour to bring this network together. Many concerned individuals and organisations came together in the Black Lives Matter moment with an acute focus on the outcomes and disparities faced by many ethnically minoritised children, families and communities in the UK. In any struggle for equity and justice, it is people who make the difference – in what they say, in how they say it, and in what they are prepared to do to bring about the necessary change. The RJFN has demonstrated that continued commitment time and time again and I know the network will go from strength to strength under the guidance and support of CoramBAAF.”
Under CoramBAAF, RJFN aims to extend its geographical reach and grow its network, fostering shared learning, encouraging active participation, and drawing insights from existing initiatives. CoramBAAF and RJFN will facilitate training and events, provide a forum for member organisations to work collaboratively, share information and best practices, identify common areas of interest or concern, explore ideas, discuss priorities, and pinpoint specific issues requiring collective action.
