Brighton & Hove Outlines LGBTQ+ Inclusion Skills In Care Homes
A new measure to improve LGBTQ+ inclusive care is being proposed as part of a range of new requirements for council-commissioned residential care homes in the city.
Councillors will discuss new measures aiming to bolster standards and continue the commissioning of good quality residential and nursing care in Brighton & Hove at the Adult Social Care and Health Sub-committee meeting on 17 January.
A key part is the requirement of care providers to sign up to the Skills for care LGBTQ+ Learning Framework to ensure care all care homes are an inclusive space.
Councillor Tristram Burden, chair of the Adult Social Care and Health Sub-committee, said: “We’ve been working with the CIRCLE project to ensure our care homes are inclusive spaces where our older LGBTQ+ community don’t feel they need to go back in the closet when receiving care.”
“The CIRCLE project aims to support residential care providers (for older people, 50+) to be more inclusive for LGBTQ+ residents.
“Our commitment will ensure a truly inclusive approach to care for all and allow us to fully consider the needs and preferences of all people using our care services.”
The framework will support social care services and organisations to:
- include LGBTQ+ issues in the education and training of the workforce.
- include LGBTQ+ issues in the everyday care and support of people in later life.
- guide the aims and focus of LGBTQ+ education and training based on evidence.
- conduct a training needs analysis and design training which meets a minimum standard of performance and capability in its assessment and provision of care to LGBTQ+ individuals in later life and their communities.
- embed the relevant topics, areas, guidance and learning resources into its recruitment, induction, supervision, appraisal, and career progression processes.
Dr Jolie R Keemink, Principal Investigator, Creating Inclusive Residential Care for LGBTQ+ Elders (CIRCLE), added: “Brighton & Hove City Council are trailblazers with regards to LGBTQ+ inclusive commissioning.
“They set an example to the rest of the country by including specific, actionable clauses in their commissioning contracts, ensuring that the rights of LGBTQ+ care home residents are recognised and protected.
“Their involvement in research to improve LGBTQ+ inclusion in residential care (CIRCLE) and the community consultation that has gone into developing these clauses are commendable and should be celebrated.”
Professor Trish Hafford-Letchfield, author of the Learning Framework, welcomed the announcement and said: “The Skills for Care Learning Framework for working affirmatively and inclusively with people in later life has been driven and informed by a cumulative body of evidence, advocacy, and activism from the LGBTQ+ community.
“It was co-produced with people with lived experience and those who have expertise and experience in the field. It represents the first systematic approach in the UK to embedding LGBTQ+ equality within social care.
“This initiative of Brighton & Hove, which requires active change by providers with Third Sector and training support is of absolute strategic importance.
“It demonstrates significant leadership and commitment to supporting the workforce to provide safe, quality, and inclusive services.”
