WORKING WITH LESBIAN/GAY/BISEXUAL PEOPLE:
TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT

CALDERDALE & KIRKLEES CAREERS LTD: 15.11.02

23 Participants; 18 completed questionnaire

PART I:  TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE & PRACTICE  

1.  How would you rate your level of knowledge about the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people?

	Very knowledgeable 
	Somewhat knowledgeable 7
	Not knowledgeable 11

2.  How would you rate the quality of your basic, professional, training in relation to supporting LGB people?

	Excellent
	Good 2
	Poor 3
	No training 13

3.  If your training included issues facing LGB people, what did it consist of?

	One session 3
	Whole module
	Integrated into whole course
	Other, please specify:

4.  What sort of issues did it cover?

	Effects of minority stress 1
	Internalised homophobia
	Identity Stage theory
	Specific vulnerabilities
	Other, please specify:

"Aimed at working in a  mental health setting."  "External course covering equality issues around employment."

5.  How would you rate the quality of in-service training in relation to supporting LGB people?

	Excellent
	Good
	Poor 1
	No training 13

6.  If your in-service training included issues facing LGB people, what did it consist of?

	One session
	One day
	Other, please specify:

7.  What sort of issues did it cover?

	Effects of minority stress
	Internalised homophobia
	Identity Stage theory
	Specific vulnerabilities
	Other, please specify:

8.  Have you ever had supervision in relation to supporting LGB people?

	Yes
	No 13

"Only advice and guidance from LGB friends and colleagues."

9.  How familiar are you with social resources in relation to LGB people?

	Familiar (what?) 1
	Unfamiliar 15

"One or two but would need to look up and seek advice."

10.  Do you know of any specialised support programmes for LGB people?

	Yes   (what?) 5
	No 9

11.  What was the percentage of LGB users in your agency during the past year?

	0 percent
	1 to 25 percent 2
	26 to 50 percent
	51 to 75 percent
	76 to 100 percent
	Don't know 14

12.  Do you ask your users what their sexual orientation is?

	Always
	Most of the time
	Some of the time 1
	Almost never 2
	Never 13

"Never unless person discloses."

13.  What is your usual approach toward users you know or believe to be LGB?

	Support them in usual way 15
	Refer to or consult with an LGB specialist worker
	Refer to an LGB specific agency 2
	Other (please specify)

"Never had one to identify."

14.  Are you uncomfortable working with any of these types of clients?

	Users who are LGB (out)?
	Users who are LGB (closetted)?
	Users who are heterosexual?
	None of above:  11

PART  II:  PROVIDERS OPINIONS, PERCEPTIONS OF SERVICE

15.  Do LGB people have different needs than heterosexuals?

	Yes 5
	No 1
	Don't know 10

"Same needs but with awareness of difficulties in accessing services."  "But they need different support agencies."  "Depends on individual."
16.  Is it important to be aware of the sexual orientation of your users?

	Very important 2
	Important 3
	Somewhat important 6
	Not important 6

"Somewhat important - especially when it is an issue to the individual." "Very important - if it is important to them." "Somewhat important - given the work we do."

17.  What is the best support for LGB people?

	Same as everyone else 8
	Refer to worker with specialised LGB training 5
	Refer to agency with specialised LGB programmes 3
	Other, please specify
	Don't know 4

"Depends on individual." x 2; "Depends on situation and issues being dealt with."

18.  Is it helpful to have openly LGB staff?

	Yes 12
	No
	Don't know 6

19.  Does your facility offer specialised programmes for LGB people?

	Yes
	No 16

20.  Does your management know about the needs of LGB individuals?

	Yes 2
	No 2
	Don't know 13

21.  Are your co-workers aware of the needs of LGB people?

	All are
	Most are 2
	Some are 10
	None are 1
	Don't know 2

22.  How would you rate the quality of special programmes for LGB people at your facility?

	Excellent
	Good
	Fair 1
	No programmes 14

23.  What is the priority at your facility to develop and improve programmes for LGB people?

	High
	Medium 2
	Low 1
	No priority 10
	Don't know 1

24.  Are there openly LGB staff at your facility?

	Yes 3
	No 6
	Don't know 7

"The ones I know are not out at work."

25.  Is there any professional risk to openly LGB staff?

	Definitely
	Probably 4
	Not sure 2
	Probably not 7
	Definitely not 2

"As some of our clients are very homophobic they may suffer but not sure about 'professional' risk - I would like to believe not but I'm not convinced."

© Lesbian Information Service, 2002
For more information visit:  www.lesbianinformationservice.org