Being culturally competent in practice is an essential skill for any practitioner working with people. Award-winning social worker and diversity trainer Vivian Okeze-Tirado has developed an applied practice model to help you to increase your understanding of diversity and improve your cultural competency:D - Decide to be a Culturally Sensitive PractitionerI - Invite people to talk about their cultures, values, beliefs, and experiencesV- Value their history, individuality(,) and differencesE- Explore the client's realities, show curiosityR- Reflect upon information and knowledge receivedS- Scrutinise yourselfI -Identify strategies to aid your workT- Train yourself to treat people, children, and families individuallyY- Yield to culturally sensitive practiceEncouraging you to do more than just talk about racism, this simple practice tool provides easily achievable steps and practical guidance to empower you and your colleagues tackle racism and discrimination in practice.

Vivian Okeze-Tirado is an advanced social worker with West Sussex County Council's fostering team and a practice educator. Vivian is also the head of VOT Training and Consultancy which teaches and promotes diversity and cultural competence. In 2021, she was awarded Social Worker of the Year and the Social Justice Advocate of the Year in England.