LGBTQ+ in Later Life

New or existing managers or senior level staff, working in a health and social care setting.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the role of history and life experiences for LGBTQ+ people and recognise their significance when building trust.
• Outline the terminology used by individuals to describe and express gender and sexual diversity; including pronouns.
• Explain how to avoid making assumptions.
• Describe the legal requirements for maintaining confidentiality.
• Explain how and why LGBTQ+ people are covered by the protective characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
• Explain how specific articles of the Human Rights Act relate to the experience of LGBTQ+ people in later life.

• Recognise the diversity of kinship for LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Describe how to actively include social and friendship family networks around people in later life.
• Outline the different forms of discrimination that LGBTQ+ people can face.
• Recognise how a person’s values and beliefs can result in discrimination.
• Describe how to report and challenge discrimination in a way that promotes positive change.
• Outline ways of demonstrating LGBTQ+ visibility and / or visible allyship.

• Recognise that LGBTQ+ people have multiple identities and why you should not make assumptions.
• Explain the differences between formal and informal caring and the key role of the latter in LGBTQ+ support.
• Recognise the importance of sexuality and emotional intimacy.
• Describe how to respect and maintain confidentiality in regard to trans and non-binary people.
• Outline how to handle any information about HIV status appropriately, knowing what it is and how individuals may be affected.
• Describe how to recognise stigma and discrimination around HIV.
• Explain how to recognise the signs of abuse, how to ask the right questions and how to report.