Develop skills to support LGBTIQ+ children and transform your services

Across Europe, millions of LGBTIQ+ children and young people face rejection, discrimination, and unsafe environments. Many are struggling to access support, and some will go missing when services fail them. This must change.

On this course from Missing Children Europe, IGLYO, and the University of Portsmouth, you’ll explore LGBTIQ+ identities and the barriers young people face. You’ll discover strategies to create safer, more inclusive services across schools, care settings, youth work, and social services.

Grasp LGBTIQ+ identities and the realities young people face

To create truly inclusive services, explore core concepts around gender identity, sexual orientation, and SOGIESC topics. Drawing on research from across Europe, examine the specific barriers LGBTIQ+ youth encounter, from stigma and family rejection to factors that put them at risk of going missing.

With this necessary foundation you’ll be able to recognise what young people need to feel seen, safe, and supported in your work.

Empower your practice and create safer spaces

Focus on action. You’ll learn how to open meaningful conversations with young people exploring their identity and apply trauma-informed practice in everyday work.

Examine how intersectionality and privilege shape every interaction, then develop practical strategies that make services more accessible, protective, and affirming. These are tools you will apply immediately.

Draw on expertise at the forefront of child protection

With decades of combined experience in child protection, social justice, and youth work, Missing Children Europe, IGLYO, and the University of Portsmouth bring unparalleled expertise to protecting vulnerable young people across Europe.

Syllabus

Week 1
Introduction to LGBTIQ+ Identities
- Welcome to the course
  To build community among learners, to introduce the platform, and to share what this course is about (learning objectives and expectations).
- SOGIESC: Gender Identity
  To improve your understanding of the different aspects of one's identity: sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).
- SOGIESC: Gender Affirmation & Expression
  To improve your understanding of the different aspects of one's identity: sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).
- SOGIESC: Sexual Orientation & Sex Characteristics
  To improve your understanding of the different aspects of one's identity: sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).
- End of week 1
  This activity includes a summary of the learning from this week, a short quiz, and an opportunity to discuss your experience.
Week 2
Making services more accessible
- Understanding intersectionality
  To explore the meaning of intersectionality, how it impacts LGBTIQ+ children and youth, and what this means in practice for professionals.
- Tips for professionals
  These tips are designed to help professionals build safe, affirming, and trauma-informed services that respect each person’s identity and lived experience.
- End of week 2
  This activity includes a short quiz, a summary of the learning from this week, and an opportunity to discuss your progress and any challenges from this week with other learners
Week 3
Young, Queer & Away from Home project
- A European-wide project
  The Young, Queer & Away from Home project is an EU project co-funded by the European Commission and led by Missing Children Europe. Learn more in this activity.
- Research, results and recommendations
  In this activity, we will present the research methodology - including the design, participants and analysis conducted - the research results and the recommendations for professionals.
- End of week 3
  This activity includes a summary of the learning from this week, a short quiz, and an opportunity to discuss your experience.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Describe the differences between gender, gender expression, & gender identity.
Reflect on the social construct of SOGIESC-related topics and issues.
Facilitate inclusive discussions with young people, including those who may be exploring or questioning their sexuality and/or gender identity.
Reflect on the role of intersectionality and privilege in the context of identity.
Demonstrate how it impacts one’s work with LGBTIQ+ children and young people
Identify the barriers that LGBTIQ+ children and young people face when accessing support
Explore strategies that can create safer and affirming spaces
Explore the roots of homelessness for LGBTIQ+ youth
Describe trauma-informed and intersectional practices that can improve protection for LGBTIQ+ children and young people

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for professionals across Europe, including social workers, educators, hotline operators, and law enforcement.

Who will you learn with?

Arlo Bodo

Arlo is IGLYO’s Programmes Officer and a queer trans non-binary activist committed to dismantling systemic power structures. They support the design and implementation of capacity-building programmes.

Who developed the course?

Missing Children Europe

Missing Children Europe is the European Federation for Missing and Sexually Exploited Children connecting 31 grassroot organisations in 26 countries across Europe. We are all committed to the same goals: to prevent that children go missing, and to protect children from any violence, abuse or exploitation that leads to or results from them going missing.

Established
2002

IGLYO

The International LGBTQI Youth & Student Organisation is the world’s largest network dedicated to LGBTQI young people and their rights. They represent the voice of over 135 Member Organisations in more than 40 countries across the European region.

IGLYO advances the rights of LGBTQI young people, advocates for their equality and inclusion, empowers their voices, and connects them across borders.

What's included?

Missing Children Europe are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

Unlimited access to this course

Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes

A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

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Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
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Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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