LGBTQ+ youth consultation summary
What was the aim of the consultation?
We wanted to hear young people’s voices and those who are supporting them to find out what more they would like from OTR and to share with colleagues in BANES what are the most important issues impacting young LGBTQ+ people locally. We hear a lot from our existing SPACE members, we wanted to get a wider voice. From the responses 69% of the people responding had not accessed our LGBTQ+ services at all, but 31% of them had.
How was the data collected?
We launched a survey between 13th November 2023 and closed 15th January 2024. The data was collected using Microsoft forms, respondents self-selected to complete this, the responses are anonymous. We advertised through existing networks, using posters and on social media. This was open to ‘young people, parents and carers and professionals working with LGBTQ+ young people’.
Who answered the questionnaire?
Only people who live worked or studied in Bath and NE Somerset were eligible to answer the questions. We received 105 valid responses.
Most respondents were young people (78%)
Second number of responses were from Professionals working with young people (14%)
Finally smallest proportion was parents/ carers (7%)
There was one identified as ‘other’ (1%).
What were the findings?
The top 5 issues identified were:
1.Bullying, harassment and hate crime
2.poor mental health
3.lack of support from parents/ carers
4.Social isolation
5.Intersectional identities such as race and LGBTQ+ or faith and LGBTQ+
Issues affecting young people:
Table 1: “Please select up to 3 of the issues you think are more important, for OTR to try and address?”
Other areas impacted young LGBTQ+ people were stated:
Including concerns about the impact of the media, public attitude and reference to the combined affect of the above stated issues.
School Culture / Education was mentioned 4 times, see example quotes below:
“it’s not really just mentioned in things casually such as PSHE lessons we have ONE lesson in the whole year about LGBTQ+ and that’s it, I think in the other months that we spend learning about relationships there could AT LEAST be a LGBTQ+ couple in their somewhere, or maybe more lessons on the subject rather than just one” “School culture” “People making it seem like such an abnormal or different thing and criticising anybody who is LGBTQ+ especially young people "as they are too young to make up their mind yet"
Concerns about the wider laws and governmental attitude and action towards LGBTQ+ people was mentioned 5 times, see example quotes below:
“Laws that are taking away our rights.” “Concerns about legislation and attitudes surrounding queer (especially trans) identities in the UK” “being outed in so called 'safe spaces', leading to harassment from peers.”
Table 2: Responses to “If we were goi ng to expand our LGBTQ+ offer what would you like to see happen?”
Top 5 responses:
1. LGBTQ+ Outreach to other spaces such as school and college.
2. Pride Support Groups in schools.
3. Annual Youth Pride – led by young people.
4. More LGBTQ+ training for professionals.
5. Joint 5th LGBTQ+ counselling, Support group for 18–25-year-olds and LGBTQ+ peer training for young people.
Other feedback suggestions included:
• Network for teachers providing pride groups, and training for teachers in schools.
• Young person led LGBTQ+ spaces in schools.
• LGBTQ+ youth support space for over 18-year-olds.
• Linking up with local faith groups to collaborate.
• Young people being given the space and support to question and define their identities.
There was positive feedback for the existing LGBTQ+ service:
• “I think the services you offer are invaluable. Thank you for all your hard work!”
• “You are doing amazing work and really filling a niche!”
Wider Context for LGBTQ+ young people:
Data from BANES Council’s Report Incidents of Discrimination (RID) shows that between April to October 2023, 80% of discrimination and hate incidents reported by young people were “homophobic” or “transphobic”. All reported incidents occurred at “school/ college” or “on the way to school/ college”. The data from BANES Council can be seen to align with DfE’s Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023) where they acknowledge that “children who are LGBT” or “a child who is perceived by other children to be LGBT (whether they are or not) … can be targeted by other children”.
What are the next steps?
In response to the consultation data and the wider context OTR have developed a pilot project for LGBTQ+ young people and Allies in education settings. This package is a Wellbeing Group Package for schools and colleges. The offer aims to empower young people to support their own and their peer’s wellbeing, to upskill students to champion diversity and inclusion, and support professionals.
Who is it for?
Secondary schools in Bath and North East Somerset including: Academies, Local authority-maintained schools, Independent Schools, Studio Schools, Sixth Form centres.
Cost
We are offering this as a pilot to two schools initially free of charge. This is funded by our current Big Lottery Community Funding. We will aim to review and offer more widely in September 2024, for next academic year, depending on the outcome of the pilot.
What the package offers
LGBTQ+ and Allies Wellbeing Group Sessions
• One lunch time or after school session per week for one academic term (up to 6 weeks) on a Tuesday or Thursday,
• Sessions led by two youth workers from OTR’s LGBTQ+ team,
• A provisional plan of:
Week 1 – Introductions and group agreement,
Week 2 – Activity to discuss different LGBTQ+ identities,
Week 3 – Information and tools to support mental health and wellbeing,
Week 4 – Bullying and hate incidents, what they are and how to find support
Week 5 – Learn about role models who are LGBTQ+ including intersectional identities from a range of professions e.g., STEM, sports, creative arts, politics etc.,
Week 6 – Review and signposting for further support (within school and appropriate external organisations).
• A relaxed space with colouring, card games, and sensory toys to support young people to engage with the session.
• Schools will also receive an assembly to promote the service and offer.
• Schools will be offered one free place on our LGBTQ+ training session.
Other development areas:
• We will evaluate and review the schools’ pilot and aim to refine and expand based on evidence and feedback from our pilot schools.
• We will continue to perform ‘outreach’ to other groups, working with existing partner organisations to reach more young people.
• We will provide LGBTQ+ training to professionals working in BANES.
• We will explore the options with parent volunteers to support each other with the experience of being an parent of an LGBTQ+ young person.
• We will review and evaluate youth pride and repeat this event annually with young peoples’ planning committee.
Thank you to everyone who replied to this consultation or helped spread the word, this data and input is essential in centralising young people’s voices and experience in the work we do.
To make an enquiry about this work please email: space@offtherecord-banes.co.uk