Common issues and ways of countering them
Sexuality, gender, sex and intimate, or romantic relationships, consistently pose a challenge for support staff. A key contributing factor to this is a lack of proper clarity for staff who need support, training, policies and clear strategies.
By default, approaches are often heavily geared towards minimising risk, not only to the individual but also to the care provider, which may not have robust procedures in place. However, this approach is not realistic and can lead to inconsistencies and confusion, because it may end up being led subjectively by individual staff and what they feel is best. It is in everyone’s best interest to have a clear organisational policy for staff to use, with appropriate training to support their practice. Anything other than this can mean that the focus is taken away from the needs of the individual.
How a lack of staff training can have an impact on the people you support?
- An inability to provide an open, listening culture means that shame can become a default. If a person feels like they have made a mistake or done something wrong they are less likely to speak to staff if they have had an experience they are worrying about.
- People are more likely to put themselves at risk if they aren’t supported openly in having somewhere safe and private to go, or being able to access their partner (or opportunities to meet one) in an open, adult, positive way.
- Less likely to recognise abuse or exploitation.
- Less likely to access services because staff may not know or be personally willing to support this.
- Feeling restricted, unsupported, or not listened to.
- Most importantly less likely to have a happy and healthy intimate or sexual life.
Staff who don’t have training and support run the risk of…
- feeling uncertain or unsafe in their practice
- feeling that they have to work in isolation or do things in secret, which could put them or the person they support at risk
- feeling excluded from being able to access support
- fears of disciplinary or even legal consequences.
When thinking about the support that people need, an approach that is clear, consistent and compassionate needs to be maintained. It is virtually impossible to achieve this unless all staff are confident in their boundaries and understand their responsibilities.
Benefits of clear staff training
- Coherent approach to supporting individuals (which improves consistency, clarity and compassion), which safeguards both clients and the organisation.
- Improved staff confidence.
- Better understanding of professional boundaries.
- Better understanding of legal requirements.
- Able to promote an open and receptive ‘listening’ culture, as it’s modelled for staff as well as people being supported.
What should be included in the training?
- Promotion of the importance of supporting individuals to exercise their rights and responsibilities.
- Information about requirements - legal, ethical and professional.
- Attitudinal exercises to support staff in being able to raise and tackle sensitive or complex issues.
- Ideas, resources and referral pathways or examples for supporting people in a practical and compassionate way.
- Consistent, clear and thorough reference to policy to ensure management and team support.
- Awareness raising about the importance of access to management support and debrief.
- Opportunities for staff to ask questions and talk about relevant issues and concerns.
