Pledge of Pride Resource

This resource has been produced as an output from the Leaving Care With Pride research project. The project aimed to address the dearth in knowledge exploring multiple intersecting disadvantages that UK lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) care-leavers face, based on gender, sexual orientation and being care experienced. You can read the Research Briefing here.

One of the objectives from the project was to develop a resource to help inform the local offers for care leavers to be LGBTQ+ inclusive. This resource is what has been produced to meet that aim!

Funding and acknowledgements

This project was funded by Teesside University Participatory Research Grant. Thanks are given to the LGBTQ+ care leavers who generously shared their experiences and knowledge through interviews and through co-production of this study. We would also like to thank all the professionals who completed the survey.

The project had two phases which took place at the same time during 2022:

1. We interviewed 5 people who are LGBTQ+ care experienced people.

2. We co-produced a survey to gather insight from people who work with care leavers.

Meet the research team

Claire

Hi, I’m Claire (pronouns she/her) and I’m a Senior Lecturer at Teesside University. I’m course leader for a post qualifying social work programme and teach across BA and MA modules. I love research that supports inclusive practice and values co-produced knowledge. I am passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion and have a particular interest in supporting LGBTQ+ carers and young people.  

I work part-time at the University to enable me to remain in practice part-time as a therapeutic social worker. I began working therapeutically with children and adults in 2006, using Intensive Interaction to support people in Romania and Bulgaria. In the UK, I have worked in community and residential settings supporting children and adults with learning and physical disabilities, experience of domestic abuse, mental health, drug and alcohol problems. I have worked with adoption, fostering and special guardianship teams across the North, preparing and supporting carers to provide loving homes for children who have experienced abuse, trauma and instability in their early lives.  

I previously studied Psychology, completed my MA Social Work in 2011, MSc Professional Practice in Health and Social Care in 2016 and PhD in 2021.  

In my spare time I like watching vampire programmes, taking my toddler to the park and getting the BBQ going any time a tiny ray of sunshine peeks out!

Zari

Hey Folks, I'm Zari and my pronouns are he/they. I'm a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a care experienced person. I've recently graduated in Social Work and I work as an LGBTQ+ Youth Support Worker. I love to sing, write and cook in my spare time and I enjoy meeting people and learning new things. I'm also a cat person! I'm excited and grateful to be in a position where I can contribute my experiences as an LGBTQ+ care leaver to projects like this and I aspire to be a beacon of hope and inspiration :)

Charlotte

Charlotte is an engagement manager in children’s social care, with years of project management experience working in youth work, education and social care. She established and manages lgbtyouthincare.com.

Charlotte has co-authored a practice note for CoramBAAF entitled ‘Assessing and supporting trans foster carers and adopters’ and is committed to further develop resources that celebrate LGBTQ+ identities in social care.

Charlotte is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, experienced adopter and foster carer, published author and an equality, diversity and inclusion speaker and trainer.

Jack

I’m a care leaver who spent most of my life in care from the age of 4, including foster, residential and secure environments. I am a campaigner for children and young people in care, care experienced adults and the LGBT+ community.

Brett

Hi, I’m Brett (He/Him) I’m a care leaver who spent almost all of my life in care from the age of 13 months living in more than a dozen foster placements. The reason i got involved in this project is because I am passionate about improving services and outcomes for children and young people in care, care experienced adults and the LGBTQ+ community.

In my spare time I enjoy doing watching a good box set on Netflix or a documentary, seeing friends and exploring new places.

 

  • This research aims to address the dearth in knowledge exploring the experiences of LGBTQ+ people leaving care in the UK. Research questions will be co-produced with LGBTQ+ adults with experience of leaving care.

    Objectives

    1. To analyse the current experiences that LGBTQ+ care experienced adults in the UK have in relation to the preparation and processes of leaving care

    2. To develop and improve local policy based on the findings and recommendations co-produced by this research. This will be done via a ‘gold standard’ LGBTQ+ local offer that will be made freely available to local authorities.

    3. To work in partnership with LGBTQ+ care experienced people from the outset of the project by recruiting and co-producing the research with a team of young LGBTQ+ care experienced people.

  • ChildLine on 0800 1111 for free confidential help.

    The Mix: free confidential help for young people under 25 0808 808 4994

    Coram Voice: help and assistance for care leavers. Call for free at 0808 800 5792 or email help@coramvoice.org.uk.

    Stonewall on 08000 502020 for free, confidential help from an LGBT organisation. Also see Young Stonewall for discussion groups for young people.

    Queer Youth Network for an on-line community aimed at young LGBTQ people

    Mermaids provides help and support to transgender young people. Please visit their website or phone/email them 03443 340550, info@mermaidsuk.org.uk

    Switchboard LGBT+ helpline

    Confidential support line for LGBT+ people. Phone/email: 0300 330 0630 or email chris@switchboard.lgbt Website: https://switchboard.lgbt/

    LGBT Foundation

    Provides support and advise to LGBT people struggling with a range of issues. Phone/email: 0345 3 30 30 30 or email helpline@lgbt.foundation

    Website: https://lgbt.foundation/helpline

    Samaritans

    Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

    Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline) Website: www.samaritans.org.uk

    Galop

    Provides helplines and other support for LGBTIQ+ adults and young people who have experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse.

    0207 704 2040 (LGBT+ hate crime helpline) 0800 999 5428 National LGBT+ domestic abuse helpline) help@galop.org.uk

    Galop.org.uk

    MindLine Trans+

    Free, confidential listening service for people identifying as trans or non-binary, and their friends and families.

    0300 330 5468

    Bristolmind.org.uk/help-and-counselling/mindline-transplus/

    The Proud Trust

    The Proud Trust is an LGBT+ organisation that supports LGBT+ young people https://www.theproudtrust.org/

  • People matter. We have co=produced principles and a code of conduct that we will follow through this project. We have also arranged for a package of wellbeing support for all the individuals we interview for this project. For more details please email claire.brown@tess.ac.uk to express your interest in being interviewed