Staff at a disgraced housing association were sent an email reassuring them they were 'not a racist organisation' days after being called out by Awaab Ishak's family, the Manchester Evening News can reveal. Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has come under fire in a new Housing Ombudsman report which exposes a culture of 'othering' at the housing association.
The damning report highlighted a 'disturbing picture of residents being judged entirely by staff members’ held prejudices, lazy assumptions and an attitude towards asylum seekers and refugees that is wholly unacceptable'. It described testimony from a former worker, who was told by a manager that refugees were 'lucky they have [a] roof over head'.
Awaab's parents had come to the UK as asylum seekers from Sudan, but the report highlights they were not the only tenants who felt 'discriminated against' by RBH. Following Awaab's inquest last November, a statement from his family urged the social landlord to 'stop discriminating, stop being racist, stop providing unfair treatment to people coming from abroad who are refugees or asylum seekers'.
Three days on from Awaab's inquest concluding - amid a national media storm which saw housing secretary Michael Gove suggest 'discrimination' had played a part in the tragedy - all RBH staff were sent an email with the subject heading 'Important update regarding accusations of racism'. The leaked email, signed off by the 'RBH leadership team' and seen by the M.E.N., insisted that RBH is 'not a racist organisation' and suggested senior staff 'know how hard we work to be inclusive and to tackle racism'.
The email said: "We know that some of our colleagues have been put under pressure and have experienced abuse citing racism, following Awaab's case. We recognise how challenging and upsetting this particular allegation is for you.
"We know how hard we work to be inclusive and to tackle racism in all its forms wherever we see it. The issue of racism was not raised as part of the inquest.
"RBH is not a racist organisation but we accept that we can always learn and do better and we want to. We are reflecting on our role and responsibility in the community and whether there are things we can do to enable change.
"We are also looking at how we can better support colleagues who are facing the impact across the organisation and in our neighbourhoods." The email also urged colleagues to read the coroner's report on Awaab's case because 'it is important that you are aware of all the facts'.
The Housing Ombudsman report highlighted a 'pattern of exclusion and marginalisation' in its investigation of RBH. In Awaab's case, assumptions were made about bathing and cooking practices 'without considering if there was anything about the home that was contributing to the problems', the Ombudsman said.
One member of staff was recorded as saying: "When people come to this country and go through the asylum process...everything is done for them in terms of cleaning and so they expect it when they are moving into accommodation and that they can call housing services to come and clean the place for them."
Following Awaab's inquest, a statement read on behalf of his family said: "We have no doubt at all that we were treated this way because we are not from the country and less aware of how the systems in the UK work. RBH we have a message for you - stop discriminating, stop being racist, stop providing unfair treatment to people coming from abroad who are refugees or asylum seekers, stop housing people in homes you know are unfit for human habitation.
"We were left feeling absolutely worthless at the hands of RBH. If RBH ever come across similar issues again - we hope they deal with it in a more humane, efficient, professional way than how they behaved with us."
Following the publication of the Housing Ombudsman's report yesterday (March 28), the family's legal team insist the allegation of discrimination has now been 'validated'. A joint statement from Kelly Darlington, of Farleys Solicitors, and Christian Weaver, of Garden Court North Chambers, said: “From the outset of this case, Awaab’s parents expressed how they had been treated unfairly and their concerns quickly dismissed because they were not from the UK.
"This is an allegation that has now been validated by the Ombudsman’s special investigation into RBH. We now know this is not an isolated case.
"It is remarkable that, in today’s society, such stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes still exist from those in positions of responsibility and working with some of society’s most vulnerable. The findings and recommendations of the Housing Ombudsman are extremely welcomed in continuing to improve the social housing landscape and in particular, unacceptable practices and attitudes within RBH.”
Greater Manchester Tenants Union (GMTU), which works across Greater Manchester's 10 boroughs, said the report revealed 'institutional racism' on the part of RBH and showed residents in Rochdale suffered 'disgusting treatment and conditions'. Following the inquest, then-chief executive Gareth Swarbrick insisted the social landlord 'supports the diverse communities of Rochdale'.
It's understood the email was sent to staff following incidents of workers being called racist by members of the public in the aftermath of Awaab's inquest.
Yvonne Arrowsmith, RBH Interim Chief Executive, said: "The Ombudsman Service report highlighted that a comprehensive and sustained focus on shifting behaviour and culture is required within RBH. We fully accepted this judgement and we have set out clearly how we intend to do this as part of our recovery plan - this work has already started."
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