Education for Travellers

ACERT

The following briefing has been supplied by Dave Cannon from ACERT especially for Travellers in Leeds website.

Introduction

The past year has seen a number of important national initiatives developing. It is important that these national initiatives are supported by well informed local pressure. ACERT is issuing the following information in order to encourage its members to complement national developments by raising Traveller issues locally.

Please use this information to;

update yourself, your contacts, networks, active individuals and groups,
examine local Race Equality Schemes and refer inadequate policies to the Commission for Racial Equality,
ensure that Housing Association (need for Housing Corporation involvement), Self-build, Home Improvement Grants, Tenancy agreements, Right to Buy, and all other local or national initiatives apply equally to Travellers,
maintain pressure for significant and long term, local and national investment in sites and education, for example, by inviting local politicians and others to meet (possible site visits or even ‘open days’) to discuss how policies impact locally,
ask your MP if they have supported Traveller Law Reform (check tables below).

1. Traveller Law Reform Bill

The Traveller Law Reform Bill was drafted by the Traveller Law Research Unit of Cardiff University and funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Traveller communities were widely consulted in the drafting process. Last year the Conservative MP David Atkinson gave the Bill its first reading (see Early Day Motion below). Amongst its many provisions it calls for;

every local authority to provide or facilitate the provision of suitable accommodation (temporary or permanent) for Gypsies and Travellers,
non-discrimination under an amended Race Relations Act for all Travellers,
Housing Corporation Funding and new housing association powers for caravan site construction,
security of tenure on Gypsy and Traveller caravan sites,
greater educational opportunities for Gypsy and Traveller young people.

The Traveller Law Reform Coalition consists of all the national Traveller Groups including;

The Gypsy Council,
The National Travellers’ Action Group,
The Irish Traveller Movement,
Leeds Justice for Travellers,
Friends, Families and Travellers,
The Traveller Movement Northern Ireland,
The European Committee for Romani Emancipation,
The Trans-European Roma Federation,
The Labour Party Campaign for Travellers’ Rights.

The Traveller Law Reform Bill also has the support of;

The Catholic Traveller Chaplaincy,
The Churches’ Commission for Racial Justice,
Liberty.

2. Early Day Motion (13/11/2002)

This House notes that Gypsies and Travellers are one of the most excluded groups of people in the country who experience the highest infant mortality rates, the lowest life expectancy, the worst accommodation provisions, the highest illiteracy rates, the most racist press coverage which lead to the most complaints to the Commission for Racial Equality; further notes that a humane society is defined by its treatment of groups such as Travellers who have a right to a decent place to live, equal to that of the settled community; acknowledges that reported anti-social behaviour is a consequence of long term social exclusion that will not be reversed by harsher penalties but can be addressed by a responsible sites policy; urges the Government to prioritise initiatives to raise the social inclusion of the Traveller community and suggests that the Government introduce the Traveller Law Reform Bill as tabled in the last Parliamentary Session.

This was signed by the following 78 MPs;

Labour
Terry Davis Doug Naysmith Mike Hancock Harry Barnes Brian H Donohoe Edward O’Hara Evan Harris John Battle Clive Efford Linda Perham Nick Harvey Andrew Bennet Huw Edwards Ernie Ross Simon Hughes Roger Berry Bill Etherington Phil Sawford Nigel Jones Clive Betts Barbara Follett Brian Sedgemore Paul Keetch Russell Brown George Galloway Alan Simpson Paul Marsden Karen Buck Ian Gibson Marsha Singh David Rendel Martin Caton Win Griffiths Paul Stinchcombe Bob Russell Michael Clapham Kelvin Hopkins Gavin Strang Andrew Stunell Helen Clark Brian Iddon Desmond Turner Paul Tyler Ann Clwyd Piara S Khabra Rudi Vis Richard Younger-Ross Harry Cohen Andy King Mike Wood Conservative Iain Coleman Jim Knight David Wright David Atkinson Tony Colman Mark Lazarowicz Derek Wyatt John Randall Michael Connarty Tony Lloyd Liberal Democrat

Plaid Cymru
Jeremy Corbyn John McDougall Norman Baker Hywel Williams Ann Cryer John McDonnell Colin Breed

Scottish National
John Cummings Kevin McNamara Brian Cotter Pete Wishart Jim Cunningham Alan Meale Don Foster Ulster Unionist Valerie Davey Julie Morgan Andrew George Sylvia Hermon

Other support has been provided by;
Diane Abbott Tim Boswell Michael Fabricant Andrew Snell Peter Ainsworth Peter Bottomley Dominic Grieve Robert Spink Lord Avebury Annette Brooke Andrew Mackinlay Teddy Taylor Henry Bellingham John Butterfil Harry Rammell .

3. All Party Parliamentary Group for Traveller Law Reform

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) is a newly established parliamentary group committed to raising the social inclusion of Travellers and improving relations between Traveller and non-Traveller communities. MPs/Peers who back the group;

Labour Conservative
Diane Abbott Terry Davis Peter Ainsworth Teddy Taylor Harry Barnes Barbara Follet David Atkinson Liberal Democrat John Battle Wyn Griffiths Henry Bellingham Lord Avebury Karen Buck John McDonnell Tim Boswell Mike Hancock Martin Caton Kevin McNamara Peter Bottomley Evan Harris Michael Clapham Alan Meale John Butterfil Nick Harvey Harry Cohen Julie Morgan Dominic Grieve Andrew George Jeremy Corbyn Edward O’Hara John Randall Nigel Jones Anne Cwyd Paul Stinchcombe Robert Spink Bob Russell.

4. Homelessness Act 2002

All housing authorities (i.e. Borough, District and Unitary Councils – not County Councils) are obliged to produce Homelessness Strategies,
These should seek to tackle the accommodation issues facing all who are homeless, whether they have applied to be treated as such, are intentionally homeless or are caravan-dwellers with nowhere to put their trailer,
Lord Avebury’s latest survey (see below) shows how few of the 157 authorities within which caravans on unauthorised encampments have been recently counted, have complied with the guidance, and also included Travellers within their strategies.

5. Lord Avebury’s Survey

Local authorities which experience unauthorised encampments of Travellers need to recognise the fact that any person living on an unauthorised site is homeless in law. This may extend beyond the 157 authorities dealt with in this study, since others may have Travellers on unauthorised sites at different times of the year.
The approach by different authorities to this problem varies widely. The ODPM should consider whether some guidance would be useful on how to formulate strategies as regards Travellers.
Neighbouring authorities in a county, and perhaps more widely, should consider developing common strategies for preventing homelessness of Travellers.
Local authorities should be encouraged to conduct the first review of their strategies much earlier than the five years in the Act.
Local authorities should engage in consultation with Traveller organisations on how to prevent Traveller homelessness.
Local authorities should acknowledge that Travellers belong to ethnic minorities, and that the services provided for them have to be considered in the light of obligations imposed by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act.
Clause 61 of the Anti-social Behaviour Bill, which is to be considered shortly by the Lords, gives a police officer power to direct homeless Travellers to remove their caravans from unauthorised sites if it appears to the officer that there is a pitch on a managed site within the local authority’s area for those caravans. There is no requirement that the authority should make those pitches available to the Travellers so removed, and if the site is under refurbishment, or the people already on the site belong to a different and mutually incompatible group, there may be good reasons for not doing so. If Clause 61 is approved by Parliament, it will affect the policies of local authorities, and should be reflected in their strategies.

6. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister proposals

A radical overhaul of policy on unauthorised Traveller encampments was announced by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (OPDM) 5/7/02 to tackle public concern about nuisance and disorder arising from such encampments.

The Government's new strategy combines tough powers for police to move on unauthorised Traveller encampments with improved local site provisions. The range of actions include:

Providing initial funding to facilitate the provision of temporary, transit and emergency stopping place sites for Travellers. As a first step the 2003/4 round of the Gypsy Site Refurbishment Programme will be revised so as to provide initial funding for temporary sites as well as continuing to provide money to help with the refurbishment of existing network local authority authorised sites. The details are currently being drawn up, and bidding guidance with full details will be issued in the autumn.
Producing new guidance on managing unauthorised camping. The guidance will be informed by views both from the settled communities, including residents, business people and farmers, and Travellers. The new guidance will in particular emphasise the need for effective local strategies which set out clearly lead responsibilities between local authorities and the police for taking action. The guidance will emphasise that the same standards of behaviour and regard for the law are expected from all sectors of the community, including regard for public health, proper disposal of waste and the conduct of business activities. The new guidance will be issued this Autumn.
Providing police with increased powers to move on unauthorised Traveller encampments. The police will have new eviction powers only where local authorities have made provision for temporary, transit and emergency stopping sites proportionate to the number of Travellers that regularly pass through their area. This reflects the Government's view that the use of stronger enforcement powers and adequate site provision must be linked.

On the 14/7/03 Rodney Bickerstaffe, President of the Labour Campaign for Travellers' Rights hosted a meeting with Yvette Cooper MP the new minister at the ODPM with responsibility for Travellers and members of the Traveller Law Reform Coalition. The meeting was very successful and the minister expressed a desire to visit sites and meet Travellers again in the autumn.

The ODPM Select Committee for the Housing Bill has backed Travellers by calling upon the Government to introduce a statutory duty to provide/facilitate sites. Members of the Traveller community including Labour Campaign for Travellers' Rights members, Charles Smith (Gypsy Council) and Cliff Codona (National Travellers' Action Group) gave evidence to the committee.

7. Draft Housing Bill

The Traveller Law Reform Coalition organised a campaign giving evidence to the ODPM Select Committee for the Housing Bill. The CRE made a submission, which said the Bill could infringe the 1976 Race Relations Act if it did not address Traveller accommodation needs. The select committee has recommended that the government introduce a statutory duty to provide/facilitate sites within the next two years. The committee chaired by Andrew Bennett MP will make recommendations in July/September.

If the ODPM fails to include proposals to address Traveller accommodation needs, the All Party Parliamentary Group will try and amend the Housing Bill. An experienced legal firm have promised to do this.

8. The Anti Social Behaviour Bill

Part 8, as it stands in September 2003, adds a new power for "the senior police officer present" to direct trespassers to leave land if;

there is an "available pitch" on a "relevant site" in the area of the same local authority (Borough, District, Unitary, not County Council),
there are two people or more, with one caravan or more,
the landowner has asked the police to direct them to leave, "available pitch" is not defined, "relevant site" is one managed by a local authority or RSL and the Sec of State can add individuals or groups to that list, if he/she wishes.

If the people directed under this power return to any land, as trespassers, within the same local authority area, within three months of the direction, they commit an offence.

9. Development in Wales

The cabinet of the Welsh Assembly will be voting on a recommendation to return a statutory duty for Traveller site provision. Kevin McNamara MP has sent letters to the First minister Rhodri Morgan and the cabinet calling upon them to support this proposal.

10. Institute of Public Policy Research position on site provision

The Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) has produced a consultation paper entitled 'Moving Forward' (the final version is due to be published 18 December 2003). The consultation paper recommendations are for;

permanent and transit sites to be classed as housing, and for the incorporation of Gypsy sites into the forthcoming Regional Housing and Planning arrangements;
Regional Development Agencies to co-ordinate and lead local authorities in establishing networks of sites across each Region, based on detailed assessment of future accommodation needs;
the statutory duty on local authorities to ensure site provision within their Local Development Frameworks;
the sites to be established and run by local authorities, Registered Social Landlords, private or voluntary bodies with specialised national or regional Registered Social Landlords to be established for that purpose;
Regional Housing Boards to make receipt of funding for social housing dependent on an authority’s willingness to provide the full package of housing required, including locations for suitable Travellers’ sites;
Establishment of a high-level unit within the ODPM to steer the new processes.

In addition, and just as importantly, service planning for mainstream activities should take account of Traveller and Gypsy needs at national and local levels. In this context local authorities must include English Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers in the Equalities Standard as a matter of urgency. The IPPR is particularly keen to have feedback from Travellers before it agrees on a final version. This is a really important piece of research as the government will look very carefully at these proposals coming as they do from the IPPR.

Amongst other things the paper proposes the establishment of regional mechanisms to facilitate and ensure the successful establishment of new sites. It also seeks to give Traveller accommodation the same status as housing.

The report rejects the claim that the 1968 Caravan Sites' Act failed. At one point the paper declares that a statutory duty could in conjunction with the regional mechanisms proposed, give;

"a strong political message from central Government and to provide local authorities with a substantive answer to local residents who oppose provision – the need for a statutory duty might fall away if the other policy approaches are taken forward and prove successful" (Moving Forward, 2003, 10)

Traveller Law Reform Coalition and Local Government Association as well as the ODPM Select Committee now support a statutory duty. However, in the paper's final recommendations it does not call for a statutory duty. The paper however also proposes other sanctions or corrective policies that can be employed if local authorities are reluctant to implement the policies.

The paper also recommends the creation of a high powered unit in the ODPM to direct the policies proposed. Taking into account the views of the government and many Travellers, it is probably the case that there is not popular support for an Accommodation Commission and that the proposed unit will be preferable. The government was nervous because of the suggested commission's legal status and some Travellers were concerned by the Conservative MP David Atkinson's desire to give the commission investigative powers into Traveller 'anti social behaviour' arising from unauthorised encampments. Some felt this to have sinister implications.

However, in the Traveller Law Reform Bill the Commission was to be in part composed of members of the Traveller community. The proposed unit does not contain this element of inclusivity but does declare that the unit should consult Travellers.

11. Local Government Association

The Local Government Association (LGA) represents all local authorities (except Parish Councils) in England, and has sibling organisations in Wales and Scotland. Its position on Accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers is that:

the Statutory Duty on Councils to provide sites must be reintroduced, or new sites will not be built,
a debate is needed about which Councils should have the duty, and the mechanics of how it is made to work.,
the Government must provide funding,
the issue of accommodation is just one part of the equation, and all parts of LGA should be involved in a position statement on the position of Gypsies and Travellers generally, and how to improve matters.

12. Department for Education and Skills

Travellers have been high on the agenda at the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) since the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) stated in 1999 that "Gypsy Travellers are the group most at risk in the education system." Since then the DfES has;

introduced Gypsy/Roma and Travellers of Irish Heritage in its ethnic monitoring.
stated that the Race Relations (Amendment) Act "...places a duty on public authorities, including schools and Local Education Authorities, to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination and promote equality of opportunity and good race relations between people of different racial groups, again including children from Gypsy/Roma and Travellers of Irish Heritage backgrounds."
ensured Travellers are specifically prioritised in a comprehensive set of policies including Sure Start, Children’s Fund, Literacy Strategy, Connexions and Learning Skills Councils.

Aiming High: Raising the Achievement of Gypsy Traveller Pupils’

In this DfES Guide to Good Practice (issued July 2003) Stephen Twigg MP (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools) states;

" All children and young people should be able to achieve their potential, whatever their ethnic and cultural background and which ever school they attend.

Working towards and achieving good practice in the education of Gypsy Traveller pupils is the responsibility of everyone within the education system – DfES, LEAs, schools, teachers, governors, the Traveller Education Support Services, parents and pupils. Many schools already have effective policies and practices in place which ensures that these children are fully integrated into school life. For others, there may be some way to go.

Schools will want to learn from what has been shown to work. This document offers advice and practical guidance on action you can take to raise the achievement of Gypsy Traveller pupils ensuring their educational and social inclusion. I hope that you will find it useful."

In the guidance the DfES makes a number of recommendations for action by LEAs and schools;

pause and reflect on current practices and use the guidance as a tool to devise strategies to raise the achievement of Gypsy Traveller pupils,
undertake a planned impact assessment of all your policies, in particular the ones which have, or could have, an adverse impact on the attainment and achievement of Gypsy Traveller pupils,
ensure that within the National Curriculum subjects, particularly citizenship, every opportunity is taken to positively reflect Gypsy Traveller history, culture, language and life-style,
ensure that there is a written action plan clearly setting out timescales, outcomes and targets,
ensure that Gypsy Traveller pupils are included in the Education Development Plan, which should state clearly how the LEA will close the achievement gap between Gypsy Traveller pupils and national targets.

Copies of this publication (ref: DfES/0443/2003) can be obtained from:

DfES Publications,
PO Box 5050,
Sherwood Park,
Annesley,
Nottingham NG15 0DJ

0845 6022260

0845 6033360

Duty to Secure Educational Provision

LEA’s have a duty under Section 13 of the Education Act 1996 to secure that efficient primary, secondary and further education is available to meet the needs of the population in their area (except where responsibility for securing this falls to the further or higher education funding councils). Section 14 of the Act places LEA’s under a duty to secure that education is available for all children in their area of compulsory school –age, appropriate to their age, abilities, aptitudes and SEN. This duty applies irrespective of a child’s immigration status or rights of residence in a particular location, and would thus include children of all Travellers and displaced persons.

DfES guidance on Infant Class Size and Enrolment of Traveller Children

One of the overarching aims of the DfES is in developing an inclusive society, where everyone has an equal chance to achieve their full potential. Traveller children, in particular the highly mobile Travellers, are at risk of underachievement, and to prevent future disaffection this group need to be given speedy access to school placements. The legislation allows for there to be a limited number of exceptions to the 30 limit. For example, it permits an exception to the limit where a pupil moves into the area outside the normal admission round and there is no other school which would provide suitable education within reasonable distance of his home. In this case such a pupil can be treated as an exception to the class size limit for the remainder of that academic year. Traveller children are most likely to fall within this category.

13. Metropolitan Police Service conference

On 24/6/02, The Diversity Directorate at New Scotland Yard hosted a conference 'Scoping London; Diversity and Travelling People in London –The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Approach'. The text of the presentation by Nicholas Williams has been produced. The following excerpts may be of interest;

"...Travelling people are subjected to a degree of racial intolerance and abuse that would not be tolerated if directed at any other section of society." p6
"Our diversity Training unit is now looking at including an element on the culture of Travellers in the second phase of our Community and Race Relations training." p14
"Unlawful encampments fall within the province of our public order policy branch who I don't represent so I will say very little on the subject." p14
Recruitment and Training; positive action team "...is available for all Travellers and I would ask you to encourage Travelling people you know to consider joining the MPS." p17
"You should be in no doubt of the fact that the MPS want to include Travelling people irrespective of their ethnic background in all aspects of the MPS's work." p18

Requests for copies should be made to;

Nicholas Williams,
Diversity Directorate DCC 4(4),
Room 910,
New Scotland Yard,
Broadway SW1H 0BG

020 7230 2697

14. Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000

The Race Relations (Amendment) Act came into force on 2 April 2001 and placed a general duty on public authorities to promote race equality. This general duty means that public authorities must aim to:

eliminate unlawful discrimination,
promote equality of opportunity and,
promote good race relations between people of different racial groups.

The statutory code of practice on the duty requires schools to have a Race Equality Policy, which is distinct from an Equal Opportunities Policy, and for the Race Equality Policy to be linked to an action plan. (CRE 2000 A Guide for Schools). Schools must assess the impact of policies, including its Race Equality Policy, on pupils, staff and parents from different racial groups and assess whether their policies have an adverse impact on the attainment of pupils from different racial groups.

15. Commission for Racial Equality re Gypsy and Traveller issues

The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) is to improve its approach to Gypsy and Traveller issues. The CRE has already begun consulting Gypsies and Travellers and organisations that work with Gypsies and Travellers on ways to improve their service. A draft strategy for wider consultation should be in place by the autumn. Announcing the national initiative in Travellers’ Times, the new Commission chairman, broadcaster Trevor Phillips, revealed his personal concerns.

" Since I took up post as Chair of the CRE in March this year, I have been at pains to challenge the perception that the CRE exists solely to represent non-white communities, or rather Britain’s visible ethnic minorities. All too often, the term ‘ethnic minority’ is taken to mean someone who is black or Asian.

Gypsies have been a recognised ethnic group for the purposes of British race relations legislation since 1988 and Irish Travellers since 2000 in England and Wales. Over the years, the CRE has supported individuals from these communities in cases of racial discrimination as well as dealing with numerous discriminatory ‘No Travellers’ signs, which seek to deny services to members of Gypsy Traveller communities.

However, the reality is that Gypsies and Travellers continue to face discrimination. Across almost all indices of deprivation and discrimination, Gypsies and Travellers are particularly disadvantaged. This applies in terms of educational attainment, health status, employment profile, quality of housing and contact with the criminal justice system.

Mortality rates are higher than for the general population, life expectancy is significantly lower and in 1999 OFSTED identified Gypsy Traveller children as being the most at risk in the education system.

And, of course, the current planning system and net effect of recent legislation has been detrimental to the way of life of many Gypsies and Travellers.

However, the good news is that we now have a new lever for change. Following the Macpherson Inquiry into the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence, the then Home Secretary Jack Straw amended the Race Relations Act 1976. As a result, some 43,000 public authorities-from schools and local authorities to NHS Trusts and police forces-now have a duty to actively promote race equality and good race relations in all their functions.

In order to help them meet this duty, many authorities are required by law to publish a race equality scheme or policy that sets out what they intend to do in order to promote race equality in the way that they make policy or deliver services or employ their staff.

The amended Act became enforceable on 31 May 2002 and the CRE has powers of enforcement to compel public authorities to comply with the legislation.

We are currently reviewing the CRE’s approach to issues that concern Gypsy and Traveller communities and aim to develop a strategy that will outline the Commission’s work in this area for the next three years. We will start by consulting with community representatives and individuals as well as voluntary sector organisations who work with Gypsies and Travellers. We aim to have in place a draft strategy by the autumn for consideration by our Commissioners and for wider consultation." You can report discrimination to your local CRE office.

16. The Provision and Condition of Local Authority Gypsy/Traveller Sites in England

Pat Niner’s research ‘The Provision and Condition of Local Authority Gypsy/Traveller Sites in England" was published last October. The main points are;

A national approach to Gypsy/Traveller Accommodation Issues;

Provision of better information (better, probably different, counts)
National and Regional Needs Assessments
Implementation of the strategy – how it would be done
Integration with other policy areas
Central monitoring, periodical review
Some central committee/team/working party responsible for development and implementation

Action on the existing site network;

Some form of financial assistance to maintain and retain sites
More assured funding for refurbishments of sites {and new sites?} than current challenge funding
Should grant be available for "privatised" sites or Registered Social Landlords?

New Site Provision;

1,000 to 2,000 additional pitches over next five years
Need for continuing range of provision, public and private
Demand depends on location, quality, social mix and management
2,00 to 2,500 new pitches to accommodate nomadism - over next five years
Transit sites need to be well equipped and closely managed
Less clear whether stopping-place sites can work effectively
Group Housing could be useful
Mainstream housing will still be important

Overcoming Barriers to Site Provision;

Need to make site provision easier for elected Members to support than to oppose
Statutory Duty reintroduced?
Sites established within Housing framework?
Sites within land use planning, alongside housing
Site provision and management considered within housing investment programmes and strategies
Easier provision of private sites?

Lessons for Site Management;

Effective site management generally needs to be more intensive than is usual for social housing
Site management less stressful where small team of officers involved with more than one site
Training, mutual support and sharing experience for site management to be better developed
Model site licence agreement might be produced
Site management should be "firm but fair"
More formal arrangements for allocations, repairs etc. to reduce the scope for individual discretion
Further research into how to involve residents more over management matters and site planning
Central Guidance on licence fees
Performance should be measured
Tenancies, instead of licences, could be considered – but right to buy plots could be a problem

Further Guidance and Support;

How to assess need for accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers – and translate it into appropriate strategies and plans
Provision of sites needs to be included in development plans
Update site design and standards for both residential, transit sites and stopping places

17. At What Cost?

The Economics of Gypsy and Traveller Encampments by Rachel Morris and Luke Clements, Traveller Law Research Unit, Cardiff Law School

Since the Conservative government’s reform of the law and policy relating to accommodation for Travelling People (Gypsies and Travellers) in 1992, there have been no changes in the legislation, despite a major review of housing law and policy commenced by the current Labour government in 2000. A primary motive given for the 1992 legal reforms was financial: that the cost to the public purse of providing sites for Travelling People was unjustifiably high. Yet no study was ever done into the costs of not providing sites.

This book presents the findings of a comprehensive study of the Traveller Law Research Unit at Cardiff Law School of the costs associated with unauthorised encampments. In addition to exploration of the financial costs experienced by local authorities in the UK, both as landowners and as providers of public services, the book also examines the financial, human and social costs suffered by private landowners, police services and Travelling People themselves. The book places these costs in context both by exploring the process of change to law and policy in this field in 1992, and the issues now raised by the ‘Best Value’ regime and other new obligations placed on public bodies by human rights and race relations laws.

At What Cost? Will be invaluable reading for practitioners and policy makers in housing, planning, equality issues, education, welfare and policing at local and national levels. It will also be of interest to social policy and social work academics and students, and to Travelling People themselves.

Paperback £18.99
ISBN 1 86134 423 6
September 2002

www.policypress.org.uk

Collated by Dave Cannon October 2003

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