Tariq Raja, Executive Director, The CareTech Foundation, explores how embracing diversity and inclusion across the care sector — from young people to unpaid carers — can create fairer opportunities and brighter futures for all.
The care sector is made up of people from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. At the CareTech Foundation, we believe this diversity is a strength. Our mission is to support both those receiving care and those providing it, which begins with creating an accepting and inclusive culture. When everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of their background, we can help people build the futures they deserve.
A truly inclusive care system is crucial for young people who may have faced a difficult start in life, particularly those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. Too often, these young people experience barriers to opportunities, mental health challenges or lack of support from their communities. Youth Leads is an organisation that works with 1,000 care-experienced young people per year, of which over 70% are from BAME backgrounds. We are proud to partner with them to help young people develop skills, make informed decisions and create positive change in their lives. With our three-year funding, Youth Leads will deliver a leadership programme to 72 care-experienced young people. Through hands-on social action projects, they will gain skills in communication, problem-solving and planning. This will boost their confidence, employability and readiness for education, apprenticeships and work. Ultimately, these young people will leave the programme better equipped to thrive in adult life.
Our responsibility does not stop with care-experienced young people. We also recognise the vital role played by unpaid carers, many of whom shoulder enormous responsibilities at a young age. Research from The Children’s Society (TCS) shows that young carers are 1.5 times more likely to be from BAME backgrounds and twice as likely not to have English as their first language. Yet, too many families are unaware of the support available to them. We must change this by ensuring the care sector is open and welcoming to all, our partnership with TCS is one way we are working towards this goal. With our funding, the Young Carers Festival has continued its 25-year legacy of bringing over 1,000 young carers together for a weekend of joy and respite. Our three-year partnership will help expand the festival with travel grants, new creative workshops, music and post-festival resources on careers, mental health and peer support. Creating spaces like this ensures that young carers, from all walks of life, feel valued and have the resources to work towards a bright future.
We are also committed to supporting unpaid carers in pursuing their own aspirations. Education is one of the most powerful tools for empowerment, organisations such as the Open University are helping to break down barriers for carers who want to study. Through our partnership and funding of the Carers Scholarship Fund, we are supporting 12 carers in the early years of their studies, while our contribution to the Postgraduate Research Support Fund is helping others with essential resources such as respite care and writing retreats. These opportunities enable carers to invest in themselves while continuing their vital role in supporting others.
At the CareTech Foundation, we believe that investing in the care sector’s young people, whether they are in care or care providers, benefits the whole of society. A diverse and inclusive care system not only ensures fairness and equal opportunity but also strengthens our communities by unlocking talent and resilience from all backgrounds. Creating a welcoming culture in care is not just the right thing to do, it is essential for building brighter, fairer futures for everyone. Our commitment is to identify and mentor the future voices of social care so we can amplify their message further and ensure social care accepts and is accepting of all.
