Audit of Residential Facilities, Final report - Division for Social Policy ...

a. Although there were a few homes which had residents of different race groups, thiswas a very small minority and most homes did not have residents of other race groupsin the homesb. In at least 10 homes there was a physical separation between white and blackresidents, and there was evidence to show that the residents were not receiving thesame quality and standard of service. In these homes they were either put intoseparate buildings, in separate sections of the same building, or they did not eattogether or share the same accommodation.c. In some homes family members indicated that if the home became integrated theywould remove the relatives from the homed. There was very little sensitivity displayed (and knowledge) of different religious andcultural habits and practices of residents including home language and foodpreferences.e. Some homes that had only white residents indicated that when black families broughttheir relatives to see the place they never returned their applications “…probablybecause they feel out of place in an environment where there are only white people…”It is clear though that in spite of the reality of cultural and social norms, some homeshave been effective in implementing transformation initiatives, while others have not.This disparity may indicate that certain homes with very low levels of transformationwould use culture as a major factor for unequal racial proportions.f. It is also largely because the homes have not made much effort to demonstrate theircommitment to transformation so everything in the environment from management tosenior staff to residents is mainly white. It is understandable that to place an olderperson of a different racial and cultural background in an environment that isalienating, can be quite traumatic.41 | D S D A u d i t o f R e s i d e n t i a l F a c i l i t i e s