The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) have launched a short survey aimed at youth workers to gain a better understanding of what LGBT+ supports would be useful to those working in the youth work sector.

The 10-minute survey will inform NYCI and assist them in deciding where to focus their efforts in terms of providing resources to support the vital work.

Results will help NYCI to develop and deliver useful training, offer one-to-one guidance on writing policy, develop resources for you and offer further equality, diversity and inclusion supports in response to sector needs.

In a release about the survey, NYCI said, “We believe LGBTI+ policy can and should sit within an organisation’s wider equality, inclusion, and diversity policy. Because we know policy development in our sector is varied and doesn’t necessarily reflect an organisation’s actual practice, we’re asking about practice and policy.

“We want to support you to ensure that your services are welcoming, safe, & inclusive of all young people, including LGBTI+ young people.”

NYCI member organisation, BeLonG To Youth Services collaborated to develop the survey. It is hoped that NYCI can work with youth organisations and workers to develop LGBT+ policies as part of their wider equality policies.

“Policies send out a strong message: that LGBTI+ people are valued and will be supported within the youth work setting.

“Many of us are working with young people who have not yet disclosed their identity. Whether a young LGBTI+ person chooses to come out or not, they should feel fully supported by our services.

“This is why we believe it is important to create policies that assume the presence of LGBTI+ young people in our organisations.”

If you work in the youth work sector, take NYCI’s short 10-minute survey here to let them know what supports would be useful to you in your work. Survey closes May 28.