Professionals

Without support, LGBT young people are more likely to have mental health problems, misuse alcohol and drugs, experience homelessness, and continue risky sexual behaviour. How can we reduce this risk and help them develop resilience?

"Supporting LGBT Young People" says we need to first acknowledge this is a vulnerable group; the paper then identifies what the risk factors are, how the vulnerabilities of LGBT young people can be reduced and resilience developed and identifies further information and resources.

"Pathways to A & E" identifies the triggers, the role of agencies, and what agencies need to do to help reduce admissions to A & E.

If you don't know what the sexual orientation/gender identity is of the young people you are working with, how can you respond appropriately? Here is a paper written by Angela Hodgson, the Psychosexual Health Counsellor, who explains how to "Ask 'the Question', but don't Ask the Question."

GALYIC work with other agencies to help them become more sensitive to, and meet the needs of, LGBT young people.

GALYIC have developed a comprehensive needs assessment tool (NAT) which we use to assess the needs of members. As soon as possible, we conduct the NAT with new members and develop individual action plans utilising the five Every Child Matters outcomes; these are then agreed with members and actioned. In order to make this unique tool available to others, GALYIC have worked with a local firm, ReSURV to put the NAT on line. Click here to access the NATnIMP website.

We are many years behind parts of the USA. Let's not reinvent the wheel, let's utilise what has been developed there and adapt it (with permission) for use in the UK. The Family Acceptance Project in San Francisco is one such project. The project conducts research and is developing training and assessment materials as well as resources for working families. The project's website can be accessed by clicking here.