Sexual Well-Being Matters: Disabled Young People and Social Work Practice

Exploring disabled young people’s experiences of sexual well-being in social work practice.

The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) Kay McDougall British Journal of Social Work Prize is awarded annually in recognition of an outstanding article published in the British Journal of Social Work. The 2025 prize was awarded to Dr. Ami Goulden for her paper, “‘A lot of social workers don’t seem to understand or realize the harm that they cause’: Disabled young people’s experiences with sexual well-being in social work practice.”

In this lecture, Dr. Goulden will draw on interviews with disabled young people aged 17–24 to explore their experiences discussing (or not discussing) sexual well-being with social workers. Participants described sexual well-being as an important part of their physical, emotional, and mental well-being, yet it was frequently overlooked or approached primarily through risk and protection. The lecture will examine how ableism, discomfort, and risk-averse practice can affect young people’s autonomy and trust in social workers, while highlighting young people’s recommendations for more holistic, sex-positive, and disability-affirming social work practice.

The lecture will be relevant to social work practitioners, educators, researchers, and students, as well as professionals and community members interested in disability, youth, sexual and reproductive well-being, and inclusive practice.

🔵 Trainer Bio :-

Dr. Ami Goulden, RSW, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador in St. John’s, Canada. Her research and teaching focus on disability-affirming social work, gender-based violence, sexual well-being, accessibility, and the inclusion of disabled people in social work education and practice. Alongside her academic work, she maintains a small private practice supporting adolescents and adults, with a particular focus on disability, neurodivergence, chronic illness, medical trauma, and the impacts of violence.

Delivered via MS Teams. Please contact ProfDE@basw.co.uk for any queries.

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