LGBTQI+ Disabled People and self-directed social care support

Almost nothing is known about the use and experiences of using self-directed social care support by LGBTQI+ Disabled People.

We might assume the possibility of some tricky negotiations with the whole range of social care staff and providers when getting needs met that relate to sexual orientation or gender identity. Apart from initial decisions to ‘come out’, users may need: support to access LGBTQI+ venues, take part in social activities with other LGBTQI+ people, facilitate other ‘ordinary’ daily aspects of being LGBTQI+, physical support with sex (alone or with others). Those with learning disabilities may need particular support to assert and/or explain their needs.

Social care staff and social workers who assess, allocate and review support packages/budgets may or may not address questions of sexual orientation or gender identity. The underlying principles of personalisation and increased choice and control for Disabled People who organise their own social care is designed to maximise just that – choice and control – and to enable them to organise flexible and personalised support that meets their individual needs.