About BDA

An important message is communicated as you walk through the doors of the Black Development Agency (BDA). ‘Change has occurred’. The Agency now has a cleaner and sharper look with a renewed sense of focus and purpose.

Between March and September 2007, the BDA worked through an organisational review. This was an enormous piece of work and brought with it many challenges in terms of the Agency’s structure, partnership arrangements and changes to the office environment.

Structure

There have been improvements, with the BDA now organised into two distinct directorates and a new equalities service.

• The Service Delivery Directorate
• The Operations and Business Management Directorate
• The Race Equality and Human Rights Service (REHRS)

The Service Delivery Directorate is being headed up by Inderpal Kaur Singh and will focus on the delivery of services to communities. This will include improving the way the BDA does its business in the city and developing partnerships with other service providers and agencies. The priority will be to ensure the BDA delivers on the targets in line with our stakeholders’ needs.

The Operations and Business Management Directorate focuses on the internal processes of the BDA. It will oversee the day-to-day operations (personnel, financial management, health and safety) and social enterprise development (income generating activities such as hiring out equipment or letting desk spaces and rooms).

The REHRS is currently being hosted by the BDA but is being developed with its own Steering Group. This new service has been introduced to fill the gap left by the end of the Bristol Racial Equality Council (BREC) which left those experiencing racial disadvantage and discrimination without adequate support. The REHRS offers independent scrutiny of, and support for, public service delivery around race, equalities and human rights. It serves Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

The BDA has also launched a Research and Policy function, initially focussing on a review of neighbourhood renewal and the Local Area Agreement. This will support the BDA’s campaign and advocacy work.

The Review Process

Community development, empowerment principles and methods were central to the review process. It looked at the BDA’s culture, systems and processes. This involved an overhaul of job descriptions, roles and responsibilities and the way the Agency approaches its work.

Introduction of Performance Management System

The BDA has introduced a new performance management system as part of the organisation’s sustainability strategy. The drive is to develop structures and an organisational culture of competency and accountability. The Agency aims to be an excellent service provider to our communities.

The Review process included:

• An audit of organisational health and effectiveness
• Structural changes and new policies
• Building capacity and competence
• Introduction of a competence framework
• Troubleshooting issues affecting performance.

Affiliate Groups

The Consortium of Black Groups (COBG) is BDA-facilitated network of BME led voluntary sector groups. The restructuring necessitated a review of the way the Consortium works with the networks it serves.

The COBG is a structure that presents the sector with a genuine opportunity to have a say in the city’s policy-making. A new structure and meeting schedule will be announced for the New Year.

The Vision

Our intention is to ensure that the Agency is on its way to “create strong, independent, vibrant and sustainable communities.” We want to be excellent. We aim to offer a service, a leadership and a model that will be an example to the city.

For information admin@blackdeva.org.uk