On Friday 16/05/2025, the inaugural Eastern Region Anti-Racist Practice Conference took place in Stevenage. The event was designed for leaders in Children’s Services to take a monumental step forward in anti-racist practice activism and officially launch the Eastern Region’s Anti-Racist Practice Pledge.
The Pledge is a collaborative effort co-developed and committed to by all 11 local authorities in our region.
Over 200 senior leaders from across our local authorities came together to listen, reflect, share, be challenged, and commit to meaningful change. The day was not just about dialogue, but about action—ensuring we move forward with purpose and accountability.
The inspiring speakers Antonia Ogundayisi (Service Manager – Anti-Racist Practice Essex County Council), Helen Lincoln (Executive Director, Children Families & Education Essex County Council and Eastern Region Sector Led Improvement DCS Lead), Teresa Hills (Director of Operations Luton Borough Council), Jeffrey Wotherspoon (Executive and Career Coach and Organisation Relationship and Systems Coach), Tapiwa Julius (Principal Social Worker and Co-Chair of National Children and Families Principal Social Worker Network Cambridgeshire County Council), Olga Staicu (Head of Assessment Hertfordshire County Council) and Harmesh Bhogal ( Executive Director of Children’s Services Bedford Borough Council) gave thought-provoking insights that resonated deeply throughout the room.
The workshop session in the afternoon focused on how the pledge will be implemented in local authorities across the region and the shared call to action.
The real work begins now and together, as a region, we will drive transformation and lasting change.
Eastern Region Anti-Racist Practice Resources
Eastern Region Anti Racist Practice Pledge
Eastern Region Anti-Racist Practice Conference Slides
Heartbreaking Moment When Kids Learn About White Privilege | The School That Tried to End Racism
S.O.E Still Can’t Breathe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLDMt3eSwI
