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“Thank you for another great training course.”

Mark, Kedelston Schools, Cumbria

Course Summary

Working with children and young people means meeting them where they are—especially when they are exploring who they are. This accredited Level 3 course provides practical, actionable guidance for professionals in social care, residential homes, foster care, and education who want to offer informed, compassionate support to LGBTQ+ and gender-questioning young people.

Across four detailed modules, you will build a solid foundation in modern terminology, unpack the differences between biological sex, gender identity, and expression, and examine the real-world impact of societal stigma. We cover critical legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 and Children’s Homes Regulations, alongside practical safeguarding practices like safe information-sharing and maintaining professional boundaries without breaking trust.

An Integrated Framework for Inclusive Safeguarding and Wellbeing

  • Clear Terminology: Master key LGBTQ+ terms and use respectful, non-assumptive language that builds psychological safety.
  • Nuanced Gender Support: Understand how developmental stages, trauma, neurodiversity, and social contexts intersect with gender exploration.
  • Robust Safeguarding: Confidently balance statutory safeguarding duties (including KCSIE) with confidentiality and individual rights.
  • Practical Interventions: Learn trauma-informed, person-centred strategies to support young people facing distress, peer pressure, or family conflict.
  • Effective Signposting: Access local and national UK resources, advocacy groups, and specialist mental health services to offer multi-agency support.

By embedding trauma-informed practices and person-centred strategies into your daily work, your setting can consistently deliver high-quality, inclusive support that meets statutory inspection criteria and improves outcomes for vulnerable young people.

Course Learning Outcomes

Review the learning objectives below. Expand each aim to view the detailed criteria this course covers.

1Understand LGBTQ+ identities, terminology and lived experiences.
  • 1.1Describe the meaning of key LGBTQ+ terms, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and non‐binary identities.
  • 1.2Explain the difference between gender identity, biological sex and gender expression.
  • 1.3Describe myths and misconceptions relating to LGBTQ+ identities and gender questioning.
  • 1.4Explain how language, terminology and respectful communication influence inclusion and psychological safety.
  • 1.5Analyse how societal attitudes, stigma and discrimination impact LGBTQ+ young people’s wellbeing, safety and identity development.
  • 1.6Explain the emotional and behavioural impact of contact on children, parents, carers and professionals.
2Understand the experiences and needs of gender‐questioning young people.
  • 2.1Describe the meaning of gender questioning and how this may be experienced by children and young people.
  • 2.2Explain factors that may influence a young person’s exploration of gender, including developmental stage, culture, trauma, neurodiversity and social context.
  • 2.3Describe common emotional, social and practical challenges faced by gender‐questioning young people, including anxiety, confusion, peer pressure and fear of rejection.
  • 2.4Explain how identity development, self‐esteem and belonging relate to gender exploration.
  • 2.5Analyse how family responses, school environments and peer relationships influence a young person’s experience of gender questioning.
3Understand safeguarding, equality and legal responsibilities relating to LGBTQ+ inclusion.
  • 3.1Explain how the Equality Act 2010 protects LGBTQ+ young people, including protections relating to sexual orientation and gender reassignment.
  • 3.2Describe safeguarding considerations when supporting gender‐questioning young people, including confidentiality, professional boundaries and safe information‐sharing.
  • 3.3Explain how discrimination, bullying, hate incidents and exclusion impact safety and wellbeing.
  • 3.4Analyse how organisational policies, Children’s Homes Regulations, KCSIE and inclusive practice frameworks apply to LGBTQ+ support.
  • 3.5Explain how to challenge discriminatory behaviour, language or attitudes in a safe and professional manner.
4Understand ways to provide inclusive, affirming and practical support to LGBTQ+ and gender‐questioning young people.
  • 4.1Describe ways to create safe, inclusive and affirming environments for LGBTQ+ young people.
  • 4.2Explain how to use respectful communication, including pronouns, names, identity‐affirming language and non‐assumptive questions.
  • 4.3Describe strategies for supporting young people exploring gender identity, including listening, validation, emotional support and signposting.
  • 4.4Explain how to work collaboratively with families, schools, health professionals and specialist services.
  • 4.5Describe how to support young people experiencing distress, confusion or conflict relating to gender identity.
  • 4.6Evaluate how trauma‐informed, strengths‐based and person‐centred approaches promote wellbeing and belonging.
  • 4.7Describe appropriate signposting options, including LGBTQ+ youth organisations, mental health support, advocacy services and community resources.575

Who is this course for?

This LGBTQ+ & Gender Questioning Youth Support training is designed for social care workers, residential care teams, foster carers, designated safeguarding leads, teachers, and support staff in education who want to deliver safe, trauma-informed care to LGBTQ+ young people.

Duration

1 day course - we can be flexible on start and finish times to suit your needs such as school run friendly times or twilight sessions.

Availability

This LGBTQ+ inclusive course is offered in two delivery formats:

  • Remote Online: Led by a live tutor via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, allowing participants to join remotely. (Also known as virtual classroom training)
  • Face-to-Face: Delivered in person at your location or a venue you arrange. (Also referred to as on-site training)

View a comparison of Remote and in-person face to face training .
Complete our quick enquiry form for a price and available dates.

Certification

Each learner completing this course will receive a digital (PDF) certificate of learning.

Accreditation

The course contents are accredited by the Open College Network (OCN) Credit4Learning as a Level 3 course.

Remote or Face to Face

Choose the learning environment that works best for you: our expert-led training is offered in two convenient formats - remote tutor led online or in person face to face.

Compare Remote with Face to Face

1 Day Course

Flexible start and finish times to suit you. Contact us for available dates.

Accredited

The course contents are accredited by the Open College Network (OCN) Credit4Learning as a Level 3 course.

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Course FAQs

Why is specialised LGBTQ+ and gender questioning training necessary for care and education staff?

Young people exploring their identity often face unique challenges, including higher rates of mental health struggles, bullying, and isolation. This training gives staff the confidence and practical skills to provide early, effective support while ensuring compliance with UK safeguarding and equality legislation.

How does this course address UK statutory guidelines like KCSIE and the Equality Act?

The course breaks down legal requirements under the Equality Act 2010, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), and Children’s Homes Regulations into plain, practical advice. You will learn how to fulfill your legal duty of care while protecting young people from discrimination and hate incidents.

Does the course cover the intersection between neurodiversity, trauma, and gender questioning?

Yes. A core part of the course explores how factors like neurodivergence, developmental stages, past trauma, and family dynamics influence a young person’s experience of gender, helping you apply a holistic, person-centred approach.

How will this LGBTQ+training help me handle delicate safeguarding and confidentiality issues?

Navigating privacy, family communication, and information-sharing can be complex. This course provides clear frameworks on maintaining professional boundaries, safeguarding confidentiality, and managing safe disclosures without compromising trust.

Can this LGBTQ+ training be used to satisfy CPD requirements for foster agencies and care homes?

Yes, as a Level 3, one-day course designed specifically for care and education settings, it provides recognised continuing professional development (CPD) that meets organizational standards for inclusive practice and statutory safeguarding.
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