A study of the experiences and identity development of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender young people in care and the support they receive
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Social Work
Abstract
There have been no major published research studies on the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) young people in care in the UK and the services that may be needed to support them. Even in the most recent Care Planning Guidance (DCSF 2010a), sexual orientation and gender identity are not mentioned as issues that may need to be taken into account in ensuring the well-being of young people in care. This is a matter for concern when research suggests that both LGBT young people and young people in care are at risk of stigma, discrimination, bullying and mental health difficulties. There is the potential, therefore, for LGBT young people in care to face a 'double jeopardy'. This is likely to be especially true in adolescence and when making the transition from care to adulthood, a period known to present challenges in relation to identity formation and forming close relationships, in addition to the practical difficulties of finding housing and employment. However we also need to understand what may promote resilience.
This study's objectives are to investigate how LGBT young people experience growing up in care and how they negotiate their identities. Of particular interest is the exploration of the intersectional relationship between care and LGBT statuses, understood in the context of the multiplicity of other factors, such as ethnicity, experiences of abuse, separation and loss that also affect and contribute to identity formation. The study will also explore the national provision of services and support for LGBT young people in care and will investigate the experiences of foster carers who care for them. A group of young researchers who are care-experienced and/or identify as LGBT will assist with designing recruitment materials, piloting interviews and helping with the analysis and dissemination/impact.
The study will use a mixed methods, layered design to capture the different types of knowledge that are needed.
1. A scoping review of the UK and international policy, research and practice literature relevant to young people in care who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
2. In-depth narrative interviews with a sample of 40 LGBT young people age 16-25 who are currently or were previously in care. This sample will be recruited through multiple routes, including: local authorities; specialist groups for LGBT young people; organisations for young people in care /care leavers; Independent Reviewing Officer organisations; fostering organisations; and snowballing through participants informing other possible participants. The interviews will focus on enabling young people to describe their sense of identity; their experiences in placement; their contact with birth relatives; their relationships with close friends, partners and peer groups; their contact with professionals (e.g. teachers, social workers); and their experience in the wider community. Narrative analysis of the interviews will be used to provide an in-depth and nuanced understanding of identity development.
3. Interviews with 25 foster carers who have experience of caring for LGBT young people. These will provide information from carers about the young people's experiences, but also about how carers see their roles, relationships and the support they need. Data will be analysed thematically using NVivo.
4. A survey of local authority and independent agency policy, provision and practice to identify services available to LGBT young people in care or leaving care.
5. Multi-agency focus groups with a range of professionals, held towards the end of the project, will explore the policy and practice issues emerging from the literature review, survey and qualitative interviews.
The research team has a pathway to impact plan, which will enable findings to achieve impact on outcomes for young people e.g. policy consultation, training materials, practitioner guide, digital technology.
This study's objectives are to investigate how LGBT young people experience growing up in care and how they negotiate their identities. Of particular interest is the exploration of the intersectional relationship between care and LGBT statuses, understood in the context of the multiplicity of other factors, such as ethnicity, experiences of abuse, separation and loss that also affect and contribute to identity formation. The study will also explore the national provision of services and support for LGBT young people in care and will investigate the experiences of foster carers who care for them. A group of young researchers who are care-experienced and/or identify as LGBT will assist with designing recruitment materials, piloting interviews and helping with the analysis and dissemination/impact.
The study will use a mixed methods, layered design to capture the different types of knowledge that are needed.
1. A scoping review of the UK and international policy, research and practice literature relevant to young people in care who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
2. In-depth narrative interviews with a sample of 40 LGBT young people age 16-25 who are currently or were previously in care. This sample will be recruited through multiple routes, including: local authorities; specialist groups for LGBT young people; organisations for young people in care /care leavers; Independent Reviewing Officer organisations; fostering organisations; and snowballing through participants informing other possible participants. The interviews will focus on enabling young people to describe their sense of identity; their experiences in placement; their contact with birth relatives; their relationships with close friends, partners and peer groups; their contact with professionals (e.g. teachers, social workers); and their experience in the wider community. Narrative analysis of the interviews will be used to provide an in-depth and nuanced understanding of identity development.
3. Interviews with 25 foster carers who have experience of caring for LGBT young people. These will provide information from carers about the young people's experiences, but also about how carers see their roles, relationships and the support they need. Data will be analysed thematically using NVivo.
4. A survey of local authority and independent agency policy, provision and practice to identify services available to LGBT young people in care or leaving care.
5. Multi-agency focus groups with a range of professionals, held towards the end of the project, will explore the policy and practice issues emerging from the literature review, survey and qualitative interviews.
The research team has a pathway to impact plan, which will enable findings to achieve impact on outcomes for young people e.g. policy consultation, training materials, practitioner guide, digital technology.
Planned Impact
The most important beneficiaries of the research will be LGBT young people in care and in the transition to adulthood. The research will help policy makers, managers, practitioners and caregivers improve the effectiveness of services and the quality of care for a particular group of young people for whom the state is the 'corporate parent'. Therefore further beneficiaries of the research, in addition to the young people, will be foster carers and residential workers; a wide range of child and family welfare practitioners including IROs; child and family social workers and managers; fostering social workers in the local authority and independent sector; Cafcass children's guardians; child and adolescent mental health services; virtual School heads; lawyers and judges; councillors; and government policy makers.
This research will provide new information, as well as build on and extend other research on children in care undertaken at UEA and elsewhere to improve our understanding of the needs of this particular group of young people in ways that translate into practice. Young people who identify as LGBT will have many of the same needs as all other young people in care - for safety, attachment security, resilience, a sense of belonging, positive identity and self-esteem, good physical and mental health, educational achievement, positive peer relationships and so on. We will learn from this research how the particular intersection of being LGBT and in care is experienced, and helps or hinders the achievement of these psychosocial and developmental goals within the care system.
This knowledge will support foster and residential caregivers as well as a range of professionals in being alert to the experiences of young people and any signs and signals that the young person needs particular support. To achieve this, practice guidance and training materials as well as practitioner appropriate research summaries will be produced. This will be linked to our agreement with BAAF to undertake knowledge transfer through digital technology, publications and conferences/training events. We also have a network of contacts in the local authority sector through Making Research Count. As the majority (76%) of young people in care are in foster care a particular focus will be on messages for foster carer recruitment, preparation, training and support.
Key to ensuring that young people do benefit from the availability of new knowledge and understanding of their experiences is the fact that issues of sexual orientation and gender identity need to be handled sensitively. Questions of confidentiality and of a young person 'coming out' to friends or family are significant for all LGBT young people, but the (at times) public nature of the life of young people in care may create additional challenges to the young person and those closest to him or her. In particular the Looked After Children reviewing system requires a statutory six monthly review process that includes sharing of assessment documentation and a meeting that may include a range of professionals, not all of whom are well-known to the young person. The care planning regulations and guidance (DCSF, 2010a) has indicated that this should be treated as the child's meeting, with the child wishes, feelings and welfare at the heart of the planning. This research will assist LGBT young people in getting their voices heard and help IROs and other professionals in supporting this process.
For professional networks, an additional benefit of the detailed access to LGBT young people's experiences and perspectives is that we will also learn about all of their environments, both within the care system (e.g. LAC reviews) and in the community (e.g. School) and what professional responses worked well or where improvement is needed. This will in turn be built into guidance and on-line training materials that will inform and support best practice to reduce risk and promote resilience.
This research will provide new information, as well as build on and extend other research on children in care undertaken at UEA and elsewhere to improve our understanding of the needs of this particular group of young people in ways that translate into practice. Young people who identify as LGBT will have many of the same needs as all other young people in care - for safety, attachment security, resilience, a sense of belonging, positive identity and self-esteem, good physical and mental health, educational achievement, positive peer relationships and so on. We will learn from this research how the particular intersection of being LGBT and in care is experienced, and helps or hinders the achievement of these psychosocial and developmental goals within the care system.
This knowledge will support foster and residential caregivers as well as a range of professionals in being alert to the experiences of young people and any signs and signals that the young person needs particular support. To achieve this, practice guidance and training materials as well as practitioner appropriate research summaries will be produced. This will be linked to our agreement with BAAF to undertake knowledge transfer through digital technology, publications and conferences/training events. We also have a network of contacts in the local authority sector through Making Research Count. As the majority (76%) of young people in care are in foster care a particular focus will be on messages for foster carer recruitment, preparation, training and support.
Key to ensuring that young people do benefit from the availability of new knowledge and understanding of their experiences is the fact that issues of sexual orientation and gender identity need to be handled sensitively. Questions of confidentiality and of a young person 'coming out' to friends or family are significant for all LGBT young people, but the (at times) public nature of the life of young people in care may create additional challenges to the young person and those closest to him or her. In particular the Looked After Children reviewing system requires a statutory six monthly review process that includes sharing of assessment documentation and a meeting that may include a range of professionals, not all of whom are well-known to the young person. The care planning regulations and guidance (DCSF, 2010a) has indicated that this should be treated as the child's meeting, with the child wishes, feelings and welfare at the heart of the planning. This research will assist LGBT young people in getting their voices heard and help IROs and other professionals in supporting this process.
For professional networks, an additional benefit of the detailed access to LGBT young people's experiences and perspectives is that we will also learn about all of their environments, both within the care system (e.g. LAC reviews) and in the community (e.g. School) and what professional responses worked well or where improvement is needed. This will in turn be built into guidance and on-line training materials that will inform and support best practice to reduce risk and promote resilience.
Publications
Schofield G
(2019)
Providing a secure base for LGBTQ young people in foster care: The role of foster carers
in Child & Family Social Work
| Title | SpeakOut |
| Description | An animation co-produced with six of the young resesarcher team who worked on the ESRC and CLAHRC studies. This film illustrates the experiences of LGBT+ young people growing up in the care system. |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Impact | Film was launched at Norwich Pride 2018 with a Q&A panel of the young researcher and academic researcher team. Also shown at FAFF film festival in London. Has been used in pilot training materials used with three local authorities and two independent care agencies. |
| URL | https://vimeo.com/269619322 |
| Description | WHY IS THIS STUDY IMPORTANT? Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people in care face a range of challenges shared by other children in care - but they also have additional challenges in managing their minority identities and coping with stigma. Literature, mainly from the US, suggests that LGBT young people in care face challenges such as homophobic and transphobic bullying and violence and inadequate responses to their needs by professionals and carers. The study reported here is the first study of LGBTQ young people in the care system in England and focused not only on vulnerability and risk, but also on the strengths and resilience of these young people and the support offered by foster families and professionals working with them. AIMS OF THE STUDY The study aimed to explore the identity development of LGBTQ young people in care and their experiences of support; the experiences of foster carers in supporting young people; the role of practitioners and the type of services and care planning available nationally to meet the needs of this group. HOW WAS THE STUDY DONE? The study methods included: • A structured international literature review • A mapping survey of 152 local authorities (78% response rate) • Life history interviews with 46 LGBTQ young people in care • Interviews with 26 foster carers with experience of caring for LGBTQ young people • Focus groups with professionals The project has benefited significantly from the contribution of a group of LGBT and care experienced young researchers. They advised on all aspects of the research. Their perspectives have ensured that the complexity of the intersections between care, religion, ethnicity, sexuality and gender are reflected in the analysis. KEY FINDINGS National Survey • The national survey of local authorities in England found that 38% of LAs had a general in care policy that included LGBTQ young people but only 5% had a specific policy, and recording LGBTQ identities was rare. There was reliance on individual and reactive practice without a collective recognition of LGBTQ young people's needs. • Local authorities did not record the numbers of LGBTQ young people in care, in due part to concerns about intrusiveness, but also as central government does not require this data. • Support for LGBTQ young people was said to be limited by a lack of both knowledge and confidence and local authorities were keen to improve practice. Focus Groups with Professionals • Three focus groups were held in different geographical areas. Participants included practitioners working with young people in care, including LAC social workers, LAC nurses, as well as representative working within CAMHS, education and youth offending. • Practitioners identified the need to seek expertise to respond to the needs of LGBTQ young people. This included seeking advice from specialist services such as gender identity services. They also suggested that within their agencies 'go to' people had emerged as sources of advice. • There was recognition of inter-generational differences in understandings of sexuality and gender and the need for professionals to examine, and sometimes reevaluate, their own attitudes. • It was felt that professionals might avoid discussing sexuality with young people because of a general cultural unease about talking about sexuality, particularly with young people. • It was suggested that there might be a tendency to view sexuality through the prism of risk for young people in care generally, and that this could also apply to LGBTQ young people. • The importance of an in depth exploration of the attitudes of foster carers towards LGBTQ young people as part of the approval process was emphasized, since young people in care have often already faced rejection in their lives. Life History Interviews with LGBTQ Young People • The 46 young people included 18 cisgender male, 7 trans male, 13 cisgender female, 6 trans female, 1 agender and 1 currently identifying cis male planning transition. They identified their sexual orientation as 13 gay male, 8 lesbian, 5 bisexual female, 6 bisexual male, 2 pansexual, 4 questioning and 6 heterosexual. • The majority of the young people first came into care aged between 12 and 17 and across the sample most had experienced abuse or neglect. Three were thrown out by their families because of sexuality or gender identity. A further six described difficult relationships with parents that led to entry to care, where either their parents' explicit non-acceptance of their sexuality or gender was a factor, or the young person developed behavioural or mental health difficulties linked to suppressing their sexuality or gender identity. Managing Stigma • Many young people used strategies to conceal their sexual orientation from peers and carers. Some found it hard to acknowledge to themselves that they might be LGB after growing up in a heteronormative or homophobic environment. • Across the interviews there was widespread experience of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. Transphobia had a different quality to homophobia, where the young person became an object of curiosity. Non-conforming gender expression could make a young person a target for bullying from early childhood. • Young people also encountered stigma about being in care and were sensitive to comments about their parents, and to the difference between their placements and other families. • Some young people chose to conceal one aspect of their identity after being bullied about other aspects. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Questioning young people • Some young people feared that coming out in care would result in rejection and placement breakdown, but for others living in care offered an opportunity to explore their LGBTQ identity. • Several young people concealed their sexual orientation from carers and professionals resulting in isolation, increased vulnerability and sometimes placement breakdown. • When young people came out in care as LGB it helped when foster carers were accepting and reassured the young person of their commitment to them. However, several young people had experienced reactions which they found unhelpful, such as the foster carer suggesting it was a phase, they were confused, too young, or attributing their sexuality to a history of abuse. Some experienced overt homophobia including a foster carer terminating the placement. • Birth family acceptance of sexual orientation was very important to most young people and birth families ranged from accepting to rejecting. A few young people were clear they would never want their birth families to know as it would put them at risk. • Young people reported less overt homophobia from social workers. However, they experienced heteronormative assumptions which discouraged them from coming out, and awkwardness and discomfort from some workers. Trans Young People • Some trans young people had experienced gender dysphoria from early childhood. It was hard for them to make sense of their identities growing up and 9 out of 15 had come out as LGB at some point prior to coming out as trans. For some young people there was pressure to fit into a certain narrative about being trans. They were concerned they would not be viewed as authentic if they did not want a 'full' physical transition, if they had not struggled with dysphoria from an early age, if others attributed their gender identity to early childhood abuse, or thought it was related to a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder. • A few young people had begun to explore their gender identity with their foster carers and experienced their foster carers moving too fast, asking them immediately about physical transition, or warning the young person of difficulties ahead. Other young people had found residential care offered a space to explore their gender identity, safer than with birth family. However the trans young people in the study were often exploring their gender identity at a time of instability in relation to care placements and leaving care. Many experienced homelessness or extremely unstable accommodation post-16. There was a widespread view that leaving care services focused on independent living skills rather than providing a level of nurturance that could help them to explore gender. Adult support services (housing, mental health, sexual abuse survivors) were often gendered. LGBTQ+ services • Young people talked about attending LGBT+ youth groups. Most found them helpful, but some young people felt they had very different life experiences from others in the group, and a few did not want that aspect of their identity singled out. LGBT+ housing provision was experienced as very supportive, often accessed after a period of homelessness. Interviews with Foster Carers • The 26 foster carers had a wide range of experience and were providing a range of placements from respite care to long-term foster care to LGBTQ young people. Three were LGB carers but others had experience of parenting / caring for LGB young people. • The young people in these placements had predominantly come from backgrounds of abuse and neglect, with some rejected because of their LGBTQ status. 18 were caring for LGBQ young people, with 8 caring for trans young people. • From carers' descriptions of the needs of young people in their care it was clear that fostering tasks would include providing a secure base (See Schofield and Beek 2014), as for all young people in care, that would help young people build trust, manage their feelings, build self-esteem, feel effective and achieve a sense of belonging as part of the family. But there were additional tasks for foster carers of LGBTQ young people: o Accepting young people's sexual orientation / gender identity. This included accepting that young people's sexuality and gender were fluid and that LGBTQ young people would experience challenges including stigma and risks of bullying. o Communicating openly about LGBTQ issues. Carers needed to be available practically and emotionally to listen to young people discuss their LGBTQ identities, especially when young people were coming out for the first time. o Protecting young people from stigma and bullying. The foster family needed to listen to young people and take their concerns seriously, seeking information and support for themselves and the young people from schools, mental health specialists and other agencies as appropriate. o Providing emotional and practical support e.g. in expressing their identities through dress and appearance; in managing birth family relationships; and, for trans young people, working with specialist medical agencies. o Offering opportunities for the young person to gain a sense of belonging to the LGBTQ community, through finding out about local and national groups and organisations, and supporting young people in making contacts - bearing in mind that young people vary in the ways in which they wish to connect with the LGBTQ community. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY • This was the first UK study of LGBTQ young people in care; it was multi-method and achieved both a high (78%) response rate to the nationwide survey and a large sample of 46 LGBTQ care experienced young people, including 15 trans young people for the qualitative study. • The quality of the data from the young people in particular provides powerful insights into both their personal journeys and their varied experiences of services. • The contribution of the young researchers group enhanced every stage of the project • This was a mainly qualitative study. Further research would be needed to measure outcomes such as education, placement stability, mental health, homelessness and offending. |
| Exploitation Route | KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY & PRACTICE • Attention needs to be paid to LGBTQ related issues by all agencies in care planning, matching, working with birth families and leaving care services, to ensure that young people's needs, wishes and feelings are taken into account. • Assessment and preparation of prospective foster carers should include exploring their likely openness, acceptance and capacity to meet the needs of LGBTQ young people. Many young people come out during placement and will look for signs that it is safe to do so. All foster carers should therefore be able to meet the needs of LGBTQ young people. • Foster carers can demonstrate to young people that they provide a safe space for LGBTQ young people by being inclusive in their language and never assuming that a young person is straight or cisgender. • Foster carer and social work training should include an exploration of attitudes towards sexuality and gender identity - a safe space to examine assumptions and attitudes. • Professionals, including foster carers, need training about having conversations about sexuality and gender generally, as well as raising LGBTQ issues with young people. • LGBTQ organisations should be aware of the additional challenges facing LGBTQ young people growing up in care. • Being in care can offer opportunities as well as challenges for LGBTQ young people and social workers and foster carers can have an important role in supporting young people with their identity development. • There is a role for leaving care services in supporting trans young people who may only feel safe to explore their gender identity in late adolescence. These findings can be used to develop good practice guidance on recording, needs assessment and provision of support for LGBT+young people growing up in the care system. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| URL | https://www.uea.ac.uk/speakout |
| Description | I have been contracted to write a good practice guide on working with LGBTQ young people in foster care by Coram BAAF. I am developing training materials for local authorities based on the findings from this research. I have presented the findings at several events with practitioner audiences. We are piloting training materials in July 2018 with five social care agencies. I made a short animated film with young researchers based on the findings, due to be completed and launched July 2018. The film has been used during conferences by myself and others and local authorities have requested to use it as part of their training. The film was recently film featured at Centre de Cultura Contemporania, Barcelona in 2020/21 as an example of what is going on in the field of animated documentary. I was interviewed as part of an article in ESRC Impact magazine about the research findings. I have presented an the APPG for Looked after children and care leavers in Feb 2019. In 2020 and 2021 I have been approached to comment on good practice guidance by the Social Care Institute for Excellence. I was also invited to speak to the Independent Inquiry on Child Sexual Abuse about LGBTQ issues and child sexual abuse. In 2021/22 I have been on an advisory group for a related research project. I have also participated in an invited presentation to staff at the What Works Centre. I continue to be involved with LGBT youth in care network and am an invited member of a working group on inclusive safeguarding run by Stonewall. |
| Sector | Education,Healthcare,Other |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Policy & public services |
| Description | Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care East of England |
| Amount | £49,614 (GBP) |
| Organisation | National Institute for Health Research |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2017 |
| End | 03/2018 |
| Description | Stonewall Safeguarding network |
| Organisation | Stonewall |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | I contribute my expertise to an LGBT inclusive Safeguarding learning and discussion gorup which involves representatives from Barnardos, Galop, Directors of Childrens Services and relevant academics |
| Collaborator Contribution | This network allows me to keep up to date with changing policy and practice in the public and third sector in relation to LGBT+ young people involved with social care services. |
| Impact | Greater awareness of needs of LGBT+ young people using universal and specialist services amongst local authorities and third sector organisations. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | INVOLVE conference with young researchers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | 4 young researchers gave a presentation with the PI outlining the benefits of participatory research using the ESRC study as their case example |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Invited presentation at All Party Parliamentary Group for Children in Care and Care Leavers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presented research findings including the findings of first national survey into policy and practice regarding LGBT+ young people in care to the APPG for Looked after children and Care Leavers |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Invited presentation to launch of ERASMUS funded pan-European study safeguarding young people in care |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Plenary presentation at a conference on 'Safeguarding young people in care' held at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. This was the closing conference for an EU funded research project that investigated how to support a healthy sexual development of children and young people growing up in residential and foster care, and involved Universities from four countries: the Netherlands, Belgium, Scotland and Denmark. See the website http://www.amsterdamuas.com/safe for further information. The findings of the 'Speakout' project were presented at this conference, addressing the needs of LGBTQI young people in care. One of the outputs of the EU 'Safeguarding' project were training materials for lecturers, students and professionals (all in English), and the work of the UEA project complemented these resources. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | LGBTQ youth in care network |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This is a network of charitable sector and fostering agencies, with expertise in working with LGBTQ young people growing up in the care system. It is a networking activity aimed at promoting best practice, evidence based practice and influencing policy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | North East practitioner training |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation to training event on working with LGBTQ young people for multi-agency professionals in the North East of England. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Pilot of training materials for Norfolk, Suffolk National Fostering Agency and Break |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | c100 participants attended day long training sessions in two local authorities and two third sector organisations. Training was developed from research findings and aimed to improve support fo LGBT+ young people in care. The training included input from young researcher team via audio, film and case studies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | SpeakOUT film featured at Centre de Cultura Contemporania, Barcelona The exhibition is called William Kentridge. That Which Is Not Drawn. (https://www.cccb.org/en/exhibitions/file/william-kentridge/232743) til feb '21. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | SpeakOUT film featured at Centre de Cultura Contemporania, Barcelona The exhibition is called William Kentridge. That Which Is Not Drawn. (https://www.cccb.org/en/exhibitions/file/william-kentridge/232743) til feb '21. They were developing an educational programme to go alongside the exhibition, and SpeakOut was one of the films that they screened to show participants what is going on in the world of animated documentary. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
| Description | Stakeholder group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | A stakeholder group was held to present findings from the ESRC study to key third sector organisations as well as policy makers, including representatives for DfE and Government Equalities Office. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | UCU Manchester sexual orientation, gender identity, LGBTQI lives conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of the research aims and objectives, methodology and recruitment process to an audience of union members, third sector organisations. Presentation prompted discussion of issues facing LGBTQ children in care and other research on LGBTQ adolescents. Audience engaged and we gained some help in recruiting participants to the research project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | consultant to Social Care Institute for Excellence good practice guidance |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Gave feedback on good practice guidance being developed by Social Care Institute for Excellence on professional practice with LGBTQ young people in care. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | expert consultant to take part in UK government Independent Inquiry on Child Sexual Abuse in relation to LGBTQ survivors of abuse |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | I was invited to take part in the IICSA Inquiry to provide evidence from research on LGBTQ issues in child sexual abuse. This was a one off interview with leads from the Inquiry. I was able to advise about vulnerabilities, barriers to disclosure and provide links to other expert and practitioner organisations of interest to the Inquiry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | launch conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A day long launch event was held to publicise findings from the research. Audience was primarily practitioners from social care and LGBTQ organisations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | presentation for staff in What Works for Children's Social Care organisation (https://whatworks-csc.org.uk/) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was an invited online presentation of research evidence to staff at the What Works centre. It was an online symposium comprising four presentations from academics in the field. The What works centre aims to improve the lives of children and families through setting standards and generating the best research into what works for children's social care. they commission and disseminate research. The presentations and discussion raised awareness of the evidence base in this field and will potentially be cascaded to a wider audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | young researcher group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Young researchers who are care experienced and identify as LGBTQ were recruited to the study. We meet with them on a monthly basis. They have been involved at all stages of the study, from ethics to analysis and we are planning to involve them in dissemination beyond the funded project. We have secured funding to keep working with this group to develop impact from the study. The young people are involved in participation work with local authorities and are stimulating interest in the research with relevant public sector workers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016 |