PhD studentship: Developing inclusive care homes: addressing care home staff views of older LGBTQ+ people in long-term residential settings.

About the Project

Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, supported by Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) (ESRC DTP) and Health Care Research Wales, invites applications for PhD study for the following PhD project for October 2025 entry.

Project description:

Older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) are an underserved and unrecognised population in adult social care in the UK. The health and care disparities between older LGBTQ+ adults and their heterosexual counterparts have been internationally recognised. Within aged care settings LGBTQ+ service users are frequently reported as ‘invisible’ and there is a growing evidence base documenting the concerns of LGBTQ+ people about care provision in older age​. A gap remains in evidence showing what works for enhancing care workers’ and providers’ knowledge and for developing more affirming staff attitudes and inclusive practices.  This project aims to address this gap by generating new knowledge and outputs in this area.

 Possible research questions could include:

• What promising interventions show potential to address care staff views, attitudes and knowledge of older LGBTQ+ people in residential and homecare settings?
• What contextual factors enable affirmative change in care staff members’ views, attitudes and knowledge about older LGBTQ+ people? 
• What lessons may be learnt about providing inclusive services to older LGBTQ+ people that can be transferred to other social care services?

Find out more and apply:

Developing inclusive care homes: addressing care home staff views of older LGBTQ+ people in long-term residential settings.