Championing LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Home Care: A Personal Reflection

Article Last Reviewed: 18 Aug 2025

As a homecare provider, I take our values seriously – inclusivity being one of the most important. While I’m proud to support a diverse workforce aged 16 and up, there’s more we can do for the LGBTQ+ community.

There are over 1 million older LGBTQ+ people in England and Wales. This isn’t a niche issue – it affects many. Yet, in health and social care, care planning often overlooks identity and relationships. That must change.

Language & Person-Centred Care

Language is a major challenge. It evolves quickly, and as providers, we’re often focused on compliance, quality, and safety. But simply asking someone how they wish to be addressed avoids assumptions and ensures truly person-centred care. What suits one may not suit another – so empathy and flexibility are key.

Taking Pride In Progress

This year, I’m proud to support Manchester Pride alongside a service user. We may be a small group, but it’s a meaningful step – wearing our T-shirts with pride and celebrating the uniqueness of everyone, LGBTQ+ or not.

Training & Tools for Change

The Skills for Care Relationships and Sexuality training is a valuable resource, but no single approach fits all in such a diverse field. We need space for staff, service users, and families to reflect—and we must accept we won’t always get it right, especially with language. What matters is our willingness to listen, learn, and grow.

A Promising Research Initiative

I’m excited to join a new research project led by Dr Jolie Keemink (University of Kent) and Prof Paul Willis (Cardiff University), studying LGBTQ+ inclusion in home care for older people in England and Wales, funded by NIHR and supported by Social Care Wales, Skills for Care, and the UK Homecare Association.

Running for two years from June 2025, the study explores how well home care workers are prepared to support older LGBTQ+ people – an area previous studies have shown many lack confidence and skills.

The research includes:

• a literature review
• an online questionnaire
• interviews with care workers and LGBTQ+ service users
• letters from older people sharing their experiences

Findings will help produce workforce guidance and resources for older LGBTQ+
individuals.

I’ll be promoting this project widely so other providers and teams can have their voices heard.

Final Thoughts

Inclusivity isn’t a checkbox – it’s a journey. By listening, learning, and celebrating diversity, we can build care where everyone feels seen, respected, and valued. Let’s keep moving forward – together.

For further details of the Out Standing Diversity Forum; the first ever cross-sector diversity forum to support the adult social care sector, please visit the OSDF webpage.

For further details of the LEAP study – LGBTQ+ Inclusive Home Provision for older people, please visit University of Kent’s website.

Caroline Cosh,

Director of the Outstanding Society (OS) and Nominated Individual and Registered Manager for Clifton Homecare Limited.

The OS is a Community Interest Company, free to all providers irrelevant of their rating. It is a platform to share and celebrate best practice, help others to improve and promote careers in Social Care. Please contact Sonia – info@theoutstandingsociety.co.uk for more information or follow the links below: