Rural Social Work with Romani and Travellers

This chapter, co-written with Allison Hulmes, addresses the discriminatory experiences of Romani and Travellers in the UK countryside. Drawing upon policy, practice and lived experiences, the lack of attention given to rural Romani and Travelers is highlighted, with particular attention being drawn to the need for social worker education regarding Romani and Traveller cultures.
The chapter notes the positive moves within the UK social work profession with the inception of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Social Work Association (GRTSWA) whose aim is to work alongside Romani and Traveller communities in ways that uphold social work’s values, ethics, and social justice roots.