Abstract
Purpose: To report on implementing a workforce education and development initiative to enhance LGBTIQA+ literacy and responsiveness. Methods: An instrument of 7 questions was administered to staff who attended a 1-hour introductory training session on LGBTIQA+ literacy and responsiveness held across an Australian inner metropolitan clinical mental health service. Results: In total, 113 questionnaires were received. Overall 68% of staff agreed, or strongly agreed that they had adequate knowledge and attitudes to meet the support needs of LGBTIQA+ people. There were 75% who felt confident working with LGBTIQA+ people. A strong 91% reported the training to be useful to their clinical practice. Overall, 45% neither agreed nor disagreed their service was set up clinically and culturally for LGBTIQA+ persons, with 18% disagreeing or strongly disagreeing. Conclusions: Organizational commitment in the form of training and education supports staff to become equipped with knowledge and skills in providing inclusive and responsive practice to LGBTIQA+ people. Training and education are reported to contribute to service improvement and staff capacity to better respond to community needs.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 194-210 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2023 |
Keywords
- LGBTIQ
- Mental health
- service delivery
- staff training
- workforce