Course description
This workshop will support school health nurses, professional support staff and interested teachers and leaders to gain an understanding of the role school staff can play in addressing the challenges and barriers faced by LGBTIQA+ young people. Through engaging with relevant research and case studies, participants will develop their capacity to work with LGBTIQA+ young people and, where appropriate, engage their families and allow for the school leadership to be informed as to the unique needs of a specific student in their school.
Workshop content is informed by DECYP’s Supporting Sexuality, Sex, and Gender Diversity in Schools Policy. Participation will help prepare and equip school staff to support and assist students seeking to affirm their identity in the school setting. During the session, attendees will work through a Gender Affirmation Plan in order to understand its use in addressing supportive and dignifying conversations with LGBTIQA+ students, through focusing on social, legal and educational concerns.
Course outcomes
At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Understand the contemporary context for LGBTIQA+ youth in Australia
- Foster cultural safety for LGBTIQA+ young people through advocacy and allyship
- Create, work with, and use a Gender Affirmation Plan
- Appreciate the role of Gender Affirmation Plans as part of a whole school approach
- Understand the limitations of focussing on an individual student
- Appreciate the guiding principles and policies that set the context for affirmation planning,
- Troubleshoot complex situations through engagement with case studies
- Support young people and their families to access legal, administrative and medical pathways to affirm identity
- Develop strategies to foster familial, educational and community support for LGBTIQA+ young people
- Understand key considerations of confidentiality and safe disclosures
- Access relevant educational resources and supports
Australian Professional Standards
- Standard 4 – Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
- Standard 6 – Engage in professional learning
- Standard 7 – Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community
Principal Capability Framework
Social
- S3 – Shapes an inclusive culture that fosters mutual respect, agency and accountability
- S4 – Creates a safe and secure environment for students and staff
Personal
- P6 – Is committed to an ethic of care