Att inkludera eller exludera : En kvantitativ studie om socionomstudenters förhållningssätt till specifik kompetens i mötet med HBTQ-klienter

Sammanfattning: The aim of the study was to examine which approach future social workers have regarding specific competence in the meeting with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer clients. Previous research shows that LGBTQ people have a low confidence towards social services, police and courts and say they face discrimination and degrading treatment to a greater extent than the heterosexual population. Research shows that education and better skills of LGBTQ culture among professionals can change the situation. The essay is based on a model of cultural competence in working with sexual minorities and people with a transgender expression. The model defines the meaning of an LGBTQ perspective and is designed to improve social work with LGBTQ clients. The study is quantitative and empirical data consists of 203 survey responses from students with a long experience of the social work education. The analysis of the results is based on the cultural competence three principles; attitudes, knowledge and skills. The conclusion of the study is that students believe that specific knowledge in meeting with LGBTQ clients is important. They also believe that the specific competence is something that should be communicated in social work education. The result also indicates that the educations at present do not convey an LGBTQ perspective as an integral part of the teaching. Another conclusion is that the students feel they have a lack of knowledge regarding LGBTQ culture. To include cultural competence for sexual minorities in social work education would reduce the risk that LGBTQ clients are discriminated against or subjected to degrading treatment in social work.