A training program designed to upskill aged care workers on LGBTI issues in Australia is achieving positive results, according to a new survey. However, there is still much more work to be done.
The program involved a free one-day workshop which covers areas such as health and ageing issues for LGBTI, social stigma, and inclusive practice.
Additionally, there is an e-learning module designed to complement the face-to-face training for people unable to attend the workshops.
The training has been funded for three years by the Australian government and will take place until June 2016.
The LGBTI Aged Care Training Evaluation Report 2015 found that almost three quarters of employees who participated in the workshops and e-learning modules were in NSW or Victoria.
After completing the one-day training, 95% of participants said they felt they knew how to make their workplaces LGBTI inclusive, which was an increase from 44%.
Further, the number of participants who felt that LGBTI clients had different care needs increased from 47% before the workshop to 75% after.
A whopping 94.8% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the information was relevant to their work.
The report also found that of the 1,293 individuals enrolled in the e-learning module over 12 months, 76% were in NSW and Victoria. This indicates that the rollout is too heavily concentrated on certain states.
Moreover, only 734 completed the e-learning module, which amounted to a 57% completion rate.
The report found that the low completion rate could be due to lack of staff time or internet access to participate in the training.
When asked what topic was the most useful,
- 28.4% said defining T and I and understanding gender identity and gender expression.
- 24% said specific LGBTI ageing health issues
- 11.8% said inclusive practice
When asked what topic was the least useful,
- 39% said defining LGB
- 19.8% said legislation
- 11.5% said heterosexism/cisgenderism/homophobia
Meanwhile, in Singapore, three-quarters of social workers said they have not had training on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues, according to a study published last November in the International Social Work Journal.
The Singapore LGBT counselling group Oogachaga is currently running training sessions to help professionals learn about sensitivity and awareness, and how to help clients cope with minority stress, homophobia, and transphobia.
