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Effective: 01/08/2026

C12.23 Safety for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning (LGBTQ) and Gender Non-Conforming Youth

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​​​Thoughtful acknowledgement and discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation with youth in out-of-home care (OOHC) are necessary to meet requirements for supporting positive youth development, ensuring safety – including suicide prevention, and supporting a youth’s right to express opinions concerning their placement, care, and treatment. ​​

Practice Guidance

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  • Youth who identify as LGBTQ or gender non-conforming are disproportionately represented in OOHC as compared to the general population. Studies consistently put that rate at above thirty (30) percent of youth in OOHC nationwide. 
  • Youth in OOHC who identify as LGBTQ or gender non-conforming are at higher risk for maltreatment, self-harm, discrimination, and mental health issues.  Youth in OOHCC who identify as LGBTQ or gender non-conforming are significantly more likely to attempt suicide. Additional information and resources related to the higher risk of self-harm for these youth may be obtained upon request from the Out of Home Care Branch.  
  • Rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts decline if preferred pronouns are respected and if the youth receives parent or caregiver support of their identity or sexual orientation.
  • Utilizing gender neutral language or mirroring the language of the youth or family is recommended if unsure of preferred pronouns.   
  • All youth, regardless of gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, need to feel safe for positive youth development to occur. 
  • Safety and well-being are of the utmost concern for all youth in OOHC, and it is impossible to ensure safety and well-being without thoughtfully acknowledging and discussing gender identity and sexual orientation.  
  • Staff should at all times abide by the NASW Code of Ethics and SOP G1.1 Ethical Practice when working with youth and families who identify as LGBTQ or gender non-conforming, and refrain from their work being influenced by personal values or the values of others.  Staff promote the positive development of all children and youth by demonstrating respect, including respect for differences, safeguarding the rights of youth in care, encouraging the development of healthy self-esteem, and helping all children and youth manage the stigma sometimes associated with differences.
  • Youth in OOHC may not be comfortable disclosing information about gender identity or sexual orientation to others, especially to those in positions of authority. Youth should never be pressured to do so.  
  • A youth’s sexual orientation and gender identity are an integral part of who they are and not a personal “choice” that can be influenced or determined by others.
  • Sexual orientation and gender identity are not mental health issues, but relative acceptance and treatment by others related to sexual orientation and gender identity may contribute to the concerns associated with mental health and wellbeing.  
  • Adequate supervision and safeguards for adolescents in congregate care settings or in shared sleeping spaces are necessary to prevent unwanted sexual behaviors. Grouping youth by sex assigned at birth does not prevent this.  



Procedure

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The SSW:

  1. Asks youth their preferred name and pronouns and consistently addresses them in accordance with their preferences;
  2. Does not disclose a youth's sexual orientation or gender identity to service providers, the school, the court, or others without the youth's permission;
  3. May document preferred name and pronouns, gender identity, or sexual orientation in TWIST with the youth's permission, but never coerces a youth to disclose information if they do not feel safe or comfortable doing so;  
  4. Evaluates the youth's overall physical and emotional safety as it relates to their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression with regard to their placement, school setting, relationships with caregivers, peers, birth family, and other key figures in their lives;
  5. Does not attempt to influence a youth to reject or modify their sexual orientation or gender identity to conform;
  6. Ensures OOHC caregivers approved by the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) do not attempt to influence a youth to reject or modify their sexual orientation or gender identity, and reports any concerns to the recruitment and certification (R&C) worker or private child-caring (PCC) liaison;
  7. Ensures youth are receiving adequate support and have access to mental health services appropriate to their needs;
  8. Decisions regarding placement should be based on a youth's safety, well-being, and their right to request placement where they feel most safe and comfortable, rather than on their sex assigned at birth;
  9. Utilizes the Out of Home Care Branch for consultation and support for resources to support youth who identify as LGBTQ or are gender non-conforming, or to address any issues with caregivers, service providers, or schools related to the physical and emotional safety of youth who identify as LGBTQ or are gender non-conforming.​



Documents

Revisions