Timeline of work completed in this area
Where it all began…
When we googled resources for supporting LGBTQ+ youth in care in 2012, it was apparent that there were no specific resources or information. Any resources that existed were American and relevant to their care system. So we decided to establish LGBTQ+ youth in care which has achieved so much since that initial Google search. Read the timeline below to see how far we have come… and our plans for the future.
2012
Co-founder of LGBTQ+ youth in care Jacob, began voluntary work with the LGBT foundation and found that there was nothing available for young people in care
2013
Agreed a project was needed to address lack of information - Andrew (LGBT foundation) and Three Circles Fostering produced draft guidelines on what information was required to inform professionals. A group of care leavers from across the UK came together in Manchester to share experience and design resources
2014
First conference on LGBT experience of care (run by Three Circles Fostering) took place. Information shared from LGBT Foundation Research on Health outcomes (Andrew Gilliver), Care Leavers Association (Jakeb Arturo Braden) and Stockport Sexual Health Services. A leaflet was produced entitled 'Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans Young People - Information for Foster Carers'. 3000 were printed. 1200 distributed to North West Local Authority fostering services. The rest were distributed through LGBT foundation and individual requests
Jacob (co-founder of LGBTQ+ youth in care) was interviewed on Gaydio and talked about the care experience of LGBT young people in care
2015
We worked with 'Proud2B parents' on promoting understanding of fostering for organisation leadership
2016
Consulted with Tara (Trans Equality Legal Initiative) and discussed the experiences of trans youth in care
Delivered a trans youth in care consultation at the Sparkle festival in Manchester
Delivered a trans youth in care consultation with the young people at the Afternoon Tea group at The Proud Trust - Trans youth in foster care leaflet produced from the consultations
Worked with Mermaids, foster carers, trans youth and Manchester social services to develop a Trans youth in care - toolkit for social care professionals.
Lgbtyouthincare.com established
The University of East Anglia presented their findings for the first methodological study into the experiences of LGBT young people in care https://www.uea.ac.uk/speakout/home
2017
LGB youth in care leaflet created and shared on this website
Met with Salford LA to discuss creating positive outcomes for LGBT youth in care and share resources
Met with the Proud Trust to discuss creation of the first LGBT youth in care group
Met with care leavers association and nurses to consult on the monitoring of children looked after and foster carers and adopters. Produced a two page consultation document and shared with CoramBAAF. Raised the importance of monitoring gender identity and sexual orientation
2018
First LGBT youth in care group took place at The Proud Trust
Practice note written in collaboration with Claire (LA social worker) and CoramBAAF
Conference speech took place at the Adoption and Fostering Alliance Scotland health conference on the experiences of trans youth in care
Article written in the Fostering Network magazine to promote best practice
2019
We have spoken at numerous conferences including the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers, CoramBAAF, Fostering Network and we were invited to speak at Westminster for the all party parliamentary group for looked after children on this topic
2020
Produced a covid 19 blog post for the Fostering Network - supporting LGBTQ+ young people in care during a pandemic
Established the LGBTQ+ youth in care network
LGBT Youth Scotland published their findings from a consultation with young people about their experiences being LGBTQ+ and in care
2021
Redesign of the LGBTQ+ youth in care website and logo took place
Currently, we are supporting research in practice to put a reference group of LGBTQ+ care experienced people together to inform a new resource they are developing
The future
To develop the LGBTQ+ youth in care network, consisting of professionals and care experienced LGBTQ+ young people. Actions and outcomes will be published from the networks quarterly meetings on our blog
To schedule quarterly webinar training that people can access through Zoom