Everyone is welcome at our table
It has been the norm that people who identify with the LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Intersex, Queer/Questioning, and Asexual) community have lived in our Aged Care residencies or at our Rooming House, accessed our Women’s Services, frequented our engagement hubs and received support via our case management programs.
Due to a growing understanding of the complexity of sexual and gender diversity and fluidity, plus the potential barriers to accessibility, in 2015 SHM formed a LGBTIQA+ working group to focus on access, equity and response issues to clients who identify with LGBTIQA+ communities.
About the LGBTIQA+ committee
Since its inception, this group has focussed on educating staff on how we ensure LGBTIQA+ clients are welcomed and not discriminated against. Working Group members have attended training on LGBTIQA+ inclusion, and worked with the training team to deliver this in-house, to support our staff in building inclusive services.
Staff have already undergone significant diversity training and a recruitment drive has led to interest from all divisions of the Mission, to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive process, considering client issues, human resources developments, and impact on our strategic thinking and developments.
The LGBTIQA+ Working Group will continue to work across the organisation to improve diversity and inclusion processes, and to keep staff and clients engaged in our activities.
Our progress in this area will be monitored via our quality improvement process, included in our annual diversity planning, and signed off by our Executive and Board.
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