Supporting gender diverse children in residential children's homes: a qualitative study exploring the views and experiences of carers

Abstract

Nineteen children’s residential care workers participated in a qualitative study exploring their views and experiences of supporting gender diverse children. Using thematic analysis, five themes were identified: (1) the importance of accepting and validating home environments, (2) the challenges gender diverse people face in terms of acceptance in the wider community, (3) knowledge, (4) the impact of trauma on a child’s identity, and (5) the need to hear and respond to gender distress. Recommendations are made with regards to mandatory training for residential carers, in response to growing numbers of gender diverse children in the looked after population.

Keywords

• residential childcare
• residential healthcare workers
• looked after children
• gender diversity
• transgender
• england and wales