What is Unconscious Bias, and why train staff?

The Labour leader Keir Starmer has announced his intention to provide unconscious bias training for all his staff and will ‘lead from the top’ by completing the training himself. However, several conservative MPs have been vocal in their opposition. What is unconscious bias, why should we train staff and what does this have to do with becoming the best of the best in the sector?

Keir Starmer announced his plans for unconscious bias training amid criticism of his response to the Black Lives Matter protests. The Labour leader said that the training was being introduced “for all of our staff and I’m going to lead from the top on this and do that training first”.

He added: “I think everybody should have unconscious bias training. I think it is important. There is always the risk of unconscious bias and just saying ‘oh well it probably applies to other people, not me’ is not the right thing to do.”

However it has become apparent that a number of conservative MPs, perhaps the most vocal being Ben Bradley, MP for Mansfield, are refusing to attend unconscious bias training.

Simon Woolley, a crossbench peer who founded Operation Black Vote and formerly chaired the government race disparity unit’s advisory group, said he was “appalled” that any MP would say no to the training being piloted in the Commons. He said:

“I am appalled that so many MPs, from whatever party, would refuse to do this training. I expect all politicians to undertake the unconscious bias training, if asked, and hope they would view it as something which should enable them to better do their job.”

Boris Johns has distanced himself from the Tory criticism, with the PM’s spokesperson saying “The Prime minister has done that training and found it valuable.”

What is Unconscious Bias?

We all have unconscious biases. These are views and opinions that we are unaware of; they are automatically activated and can affect behaviour and decision-making, often without us even realising it. In schools, colleges and universities, unconscious bias can have a significant impact on teaching and learning, staff recruitment, performance management, customer care and workplace relationships.

It’s uncomfortable to admit that we might have unconscious bias –it’s much easier to point the finger at others and say ‘that’s racist, or that’s sexist – it’s harder to accept that we all have subtle biases that we are unlikely to be aware of. But if we don’t acknowledge this, and only regard bias in its extreme form then we ignore the subtle bias that can often take place on a daily basis.

But the good news with unconscious bias is that we can do something about it. If we can learn it, we can unlearn it.

Why should we train staff?

Do teachers and tutors understand the impact of unconscious bias on teaching and learning and the student experience? Do they appreciate Ofsted observations of unconscious bias in teaching and learning?  Do HR, staff and managers understand the impact of unconscious bias on frontline services and customer care? Do they understand the impact of unconscious bias on HR practice such as recruitment and performance management?

Do staff appreciate the ‘bystander effect’ which can prevent the effective tackling of prejudiced attitudes, language and behaviours? How can staff support one another to ‘call out’ unconscious bias?

Training allows staff to engage in the unconscious bias experience, to understand and experience the ways in which our unconscious brain can influence our thoughts, behaviour, actions and decision-making. It equips staff to actively tackle unconscious bias both personally and at the team level.  It will help drive forward promotion of equality and diversity to create a genuinely inclusive working and learning environment where all are treated with dignity and respect.

You can download information about two of my popular training events on unconscious bias below:

Actively tackling Unconscious Bias, Improving the staff experience - download here.

Actively tackling Unconscious Bias, Outstanding teaching and learning -download here.

What about Ofsted and becoming the ‘best of the best’?

The 2019 inspection framework has key practical implications for promoting a respectful an inclusive culture where prejudice is actively tackled and where the principles of equality and diversity are nurtured. Actively tackling unconscious bias is therefore an essential part of your journey to outstanding and beyond – to be the ‘best of the best’.

Interested in training?

I offer a range of training workshops, delivered face-to-face or online. Regularly updated with the very latest findings from Ofsted and informed by best practice in the sector, you can see information about my current ‘top twelve’ most popular courses on the training page of my website:

http://www.christinerose.org/training/

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like to discuss training requirements. I am always happy to provide a free consultation and / or free costed consultancy proposal in response to your brief. You can get in touch with me using the contact page of my website

http://www.christinerose.org/contact/