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Training for social workers improves knowledge for working with LGBTQ+ young people - study

Research reveals that an LGBTQ+ social worker training module increases knowledge about LGBTQ+ young people and challenges heteronormative assumptions.

14 July 2023•5 min read
Four young people with pride flags and badges.

Research into social worker training reveals that an LGBTQ+ training module is effective in both increasing knowledge about LGBTQ+ young people, and challenging heteronormative assumptions that these professionals make.

LGBTQ+ young people often have a range of unique social care needs that are often not addressed due to social workers not knowing enough about LGBTQ+ young people.

If we want young people to feel safe and supported in social care and to have positive outcomes, then it is imperative that these training programmes are evaluated, to see if they are having the desired outcomes – improving social worker knowledge and supporting them to work with LGBTQ+ young people.

Dr Jason Schaub, University of Birmingham

Dr Jason Schaub (he/him), Associate Professor of Social Work, who led the study said: “There are many recommendations for LGBTQ+ diversity training for social workers, but until now there was little research about whether any of these programmes are effective. If we want young people to feel safe and supported in social care and to have positive outcomes, then it is imperative that these training programmes are evaluated, to see if they are having the desired outcomes – improving social worker knowledge and supporting them to work with LGBTQ+ young people.”

The researchers worked with LGBTQ+ charity and advocacy organisation Stonewall, to look at the effectiveness of one of its e-learning training modules targeted at professionals working with children and young people. The module is already used widely by 39 local authorities in England.

614 social workers took part in the study, which involved social workers taking part in the online training. They were then surveyed to see if they felt more confident and knowledgeable about working with LGBTQ+ young people, benchmarked against the Heteronormativity Attitudes and Beliefs Scale and the LGBTQ+ Knowledge Scale.

The research revealed that the social workers who took the training felt more confident about their ability to support LGBTQ+ young people in social care settings. They also had statistically significant lower scores on the Heteronormativity Attitudes and Beliefs Scale and statistically significant higher scores on the LGBTQ+ Knowledge Scale.

We are so pleased and proud to see the positive effects of our e-learning module on professionals working with children and young people. After completing the course 99.5% of participants thought they are now better able to support LGBTQ+ children and young people.

Adam Barkes, Stonewall

Adam Barkes (he/him), Associate Director of Education, Youth and Sport from Stonewall said:
“We are so pleased and proud to see the positive effects of our e-learning module on professionals working with children and young people. After completing the course 99.5% of participants thought they are now better able to support LGBTQ+ children and young people.

“We hear time and time again from professionals that work with children and young people that they need and want more training on how to support LGBTQ+ children and young people. We have received incredibly positive feedback over the three years of delivering e-learning modules, and it is heartening to see their impact confirmed by this robust academic study.

“This study shows a clear evidence-based approach to how people working with children and young people can develop their understanding to meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.”

As a result of the study the research team are recommending that policymakers implement effective LGBTQ+ training for all qualified social workers and include it in pre-qualifying social work courses.

Dr Schaub concluded: “We are delighted with the results of this substantial trial that examines a highly under-researched area. LGBTQ+ young people face particular challenges, and their social care support should take that into account and be improved as a result.

“Social workers tell us that they do not have enough training about this topic to feel confident about supporting with LGBTQ+ young people, which will ultimately have a detrimental impact on the young person who needs support, and the social worker.

“The findings from this study show that there is a robust, cost-effective training option that can help address this challenge, and improve the social care experience for young people in the system and the staff supporting them.”

Notes for editors

  • For media inquiries please contact Ellie Hail, Communications Officer, University of Birmingham on +44 (0)7966 311 409. Out-of-hours, please call +44 (0) 121 414 2772.

  • The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries.

Featured staff

  • Dr Jason Schaub

    Associate Professor in Social Work

    Dr Jason Schaub is an Associate Professor in Social Work in the Department of Social Work and Social Care, School of Social Policy and Society at the University of Birmingham

    Phone: +44 (0)121 414 5732
    Email: j.schaub@bham.ac.uk

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