LGBTQIA+ Engagement and Capacity Building within Mallee Family Care

Mallee family Care is undertaking a research project to help community service providers in the region better meet the needs of LGBTQIA+ people in the Mallee and surrounding cross-border communities.

The project is funded under the Victorian Government’s LGBTQIA+ Organisational Development Grant Program, and will engage LGBTQIA+ communities across the Mallee through consultation and tailored workforce training.

Register to participate
If you wish to participate in this research please read the Important Information for Participants outlined below and then complete this Consent Form, indicating your preferences for participation. 

A member of our team will be in contact with you once your registration is received.

Title of the Study
Understanding Barriers, Strengthening Inclusion: LGBTQIA+ Engagement and Capacity Building within Mallee Family Care

Researcher Details
Chris Forbes, General Executive Manager ETR, Mallee Family Care cforbes@malleefamilycare.com.au

Nicole Woods, Research Officer, Mallee Family Care
nwoods@malleefamilycare.com.au

Josephine Carbone, Research Officer, Mallee Family Care jcarbone@malleefamilycare.com.au

Purpose of the Study
This research aims to understand how LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly those living in the Mallee and nearby border regions, experience services provided by Mallee Family Care (MFC).

The goal is to identify barriers, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in MFC’s ability to support the LGBTQIA+ community effectively.

This project also seeks to explore the intersection of LGBTQIA+ identity with other factors such as disability, cultural diversity, financial hardship, and living in rural or cross-border areas. By doing so, we aim to ensure MFC’s services are more inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the diverse needs of this community.

This research will provide insights into how service delivery can be improved for individuals in underrepresented and rural areas, ensuring that MFC’s services are reaching those who need them the most.

Important Information for Participants
You have been invited to participate in this research because you identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and live in the Mallee or nearby border regions. Your experiences, insights, and perspectives are invaluable to helping us understand how MFC’s services are received by individuals in your community. We are specifically looking for participants who have firsthand experience with utilising services, as well as those who may face additional challenges related to disability, financial hardship, or cultural diversity. We aim to have a diverse representation of participants, including those who may face additional challenges, so that we can gather a broad range of experiences.

The researchers intend to provide opportunity to lived experience LGBTQIA+ community members to have your voice heard as we acknowledge your expertise in this area. We privilege that you are the researchers as well in this project.

What Participation Involves
If you choose to participate in this research, you will have the choice to either take part in a one-onone session or focus group (also known as a ‘kitchen table’ session) or alternatively you can complete an online survey. The session will be informal and conversational, with a facilitator guiding the discussion. You will be asked a range of questions designed to understand your experiences with MFC’s services, exploring key barriers as well as any suggestions you may have for improvement. These questions will explore topics like accessibility, inclusivity, and any challenges you may have faced.

The focus group session will last for approximately one hour. You will be invited to share your thoughts openly, but you are free to skip any questions that make you uncomfortable or if you do not want to answer. You may also choose to leave the session at any time without explanation.

Potential Risks or Discomforts
While the focus group and one-on-one session is intended to be a safe and supportive environment, we acknowledge that discussing personal experiences may be emotionally challenging for some participants. If you feel triggered or distressed during the session, you are welcome to take a break or stop participating at any time. We will also provide information on available support services in case you need further assistance after the session. If you have concerns about the content of the discussion or the emotional impact, please feel free to reach out to one of the researchers for support.

Benefits of the Study
By participating in this study, you will help Mallee Family Care understand how they can better serve LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly those in rural, regional, and cross-border areas. The insights gained from your participation will help shape MFC’s policies, improve service delivery, and ensure that services are more inclusive, accessible, and tailored to the needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Your input will play a key role in creating positive change for your community.
 
Under 18-Year-Old Participation
If you are between the ages of 12 and 17 you will need to also have your guardian’s consent. Additionally, as per the Child Safe Standards, you have the option of having the support of a trusted person present with you when participating.

Confidentiality and Data Protection
All information you provide during the focus group session will be kept strictly confidential. Your responses will be anonymised and will not be linked to your identity in any way. Any data collected will be stored securely, and only the research team will have access to the data. Additionally, any reports or publications resulting from this research will present aggregated findings, and your identity will not be disclosed. All audio recordings and written records will be stored in a secure location and deleted once the analysis is completed.

Voluntary Participation
Your participation in this research is entirely voluntary, and you are free to withdraw at any time without any consequences. You may also choose not to answer any questions during the session if you feel uncomfortable. Choosing to withdraw from the study will not impact your access to services at Mallee Family Care in any way.

Use of Data
The data collected from this study will be used to generate findings that could influence how MFC services are designed and delivered to the LGBTQIA+ community. The information will be shared in deidentified form in any publications, reports, or presentations. This means that no identifying information will be included in any publicly shared materials. Additionally, the results may be shared with stakeholders, including MFC's CEO, to inform policy or service improvements. However, any identifying details (such as your name, or personal information) will never be included in any reports or shared data.

Recording
With your consent, the face-to-face sessions will be audio-recorded for the purpose of accurate recording and analysis of your responses. These recordings will be written by a member of the research team in a way that removes all identifiable information. The audio files will be deleted once completed.

The written record will be analysed to identify common themes and insights that are relevant to the research. Only the research team will have access to these written records, and all materials will be securely stored to ensure confidentiality. No audio or written data will be shared outside the research team unless de-identified and anonymised. If you prefer not to be recorded, you may still participate, and researchers will take note. Otherwise, you may choose to complete an online survey.

Recognition
All participants will be recognised for their time with a $50 voucher. This is intended to recognise the time and effort you have put into participating in the research. The voucher will be provided to you at the end of the session and can be used at a store of your choosing. If you have any questions about how to redeem the voucher or any issues with receiving it, please feel free to ask one of the researchers.

Contact for Questions or Complaints
We are committed to ensuring that your participation is comfortable, respectful, and transparent. To ask any questions or make a complaint, please contact one of the researchers above or research@malleefamilycare.com.au.