Audre

Audre project starts in Groningen (October 2017) to understand the experiences of LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and Other) youth and young adults with their time in out-of-home care. In addition, Audre focuses on the perceptions of carers (such as group care workers and foster carers) who are responsible for the wellbeing of young people while in care. The final goal of Audre is to gain further insight on how to create a safe and supportive child protection and welfare context, in which youth feel accepted and are equipped to express their (gender) identity.

Why is Audre important?

LGBTQIA+ youth in the child protection and welfare system may experience several disadvantages during their childhood. For them, stressors (e.g., discrimination, stigma, lack of tailored services) may add up to the experiences of being placed in out-of- home care. Therefore, it is important to create a stimulating, non-discriminatory context, where there is room for the young person’s sexual orientation and gender identity and which takes into account their social context and own strategies of resilience. Research on how to create a safe and supportive context for LGBTQIA+ youth in out-of-home care and how to enhance the skills of carers working with them is therefore of utmost importance.

How does Audre work?

Expert group

Audre includes LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults throughout various stages of the research project. They will contribute to the design and delivery of the research project with a role of advisor and co-researcher. The group will meet at crucial moments of the project, such as the development of the research tools, the interpretation and dissemination of the findings.

Interviews or online participation

Audre seeks to get in touch with LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults who are or have been in foster care or residential care and who are willing to share their story with us. Are you interested in talking about your own experiences in care? How was it for you? What would you like to change? If you want to participate in this interview, we will meet you at your preferred location or chat with you via phone, messenger, or Skype. We will treat your story with confidentiality and respect, and it will be used to help highlight the voices of LGBTQIA youth and young adults in care.

Interviews with professionals

Audre includes interviews with carers, such as group care workers or foster carers. We will discuss with them their experiences, opinions, needs and expertise regarding LGBTQIA+ youth.